by Toluwanimi Onakoya

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Conversations around internet fraud (Yahoo Yahoo) have been in the air in recent times especially as Nigerians were shocked to hear about the arrest of Dubai-based Nigerian, Ray Hushpuppi, who claims to be a real estate developer, by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) on allegations of fraud.

Barely one week after, Nigerians are even more stunned with the news of on-the-rise social media influencer, Adeherself being involved in internet fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a statement on Tuesday, revealed that it arrested five alleged internet fraudsters including Adeherself, with pictures of the suspects appended unto the statement.

EFCC Arrests Social Media Influencer, Four Others for Internet Fraud

The EFCC Lagos Zonal Office, has arrested five alleged internet fraudsters, including one Adedamola Adewale, a self-acclaimed social media influencer, for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
1/ pic.twitter.com/6yNpqmgiZy

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) June 16, 2020

 

Many initially found the statement confusing and debated on what the facts were, as it led some to believe the commission was misgendering the influencer.

“During interrogation, Adewale, a self-acclaimed model, who goes by the username @adeherself on Instagram, confessed to being a  picker” in cybercrimes. He usually poses as a lady to hoodwink her foreign ‘preys,'” the statement read.

Some suggested that because of the confusion in pronouns, the EFCC had made a mistake in taking her into custody.

Is It Adeherself, Adehimself or Adethemselves? Efcc is confusing us.

— Sheylex™❁ (@djsheylex) June 16, 2020

You tagged a female (adeherself) and you went on to use “He” to refer to her. Abeg Efcc why una dey fall hand. Don’t confuse us please. https://t.co/r0ycNXdQVN

— Eleniy☆n (@only1mankind) June 16, 2020

 

Going further, the details from EFCC’s statement were deciphered as it was revealed that a man named Adewale Adedamola was actually fronting as Adeherself. It clarified that the said Adewale set up the social media account and the female social media influencer was just a “face.” Meanwhile, the lady many recognise as “Adeherself” is actually named Lamina Hamzat Ajibola and worked with these suspects to commit the alleged cybercrimes. A total sum of N9 million was said to have been found in her account.

Apparently EFCC didn’t make a mistake.

They said adeherself is actually adehimself, using the face of adeherself to scam clients.

So Adehimself runs the account, but adeherself is the face of the account.

Plot twist her name is not Ade, it’s lamina

— Pastor Ola ✨ (@Biisi96) June 16, 2020

 

In the picture uploaded by the EFCC, Lamina popularly known as Adeherself is seen smiling and Nigerians were quick to react to this as they wondered if she thought it was a joke.

Why is Adeherself smiling like EFCC wants to do skit with her ?

— Obong Roviel ? (@ObongRoviel) June 16, 2020

EFCC arrest Adeherself she con dey smile, she never understand say no be clout.

— Omoniyi Israel (@__Omoissy) June 16, 2020

I feel like Adeherself actually thought EFCC wanted to make her their Ambassador

Because I don’t understand that smile at all??

— Chioma?? (@dahtgirl_ajex) June 16, 2020

 

The news still remains a huge surprise to many as they not only praised her talent and her beauty but expressed shock at her “participation in criminal activities.”

I actually love Adeherself videos I’m suprise she’s into this…

— Engineer Tolu Tezzy_ ? (@tolutezzy_) June 16, 2020

 

Others however held back, stating that her physical appearance had nothing to do with the situation on the ground.

Not surprised at this Adeherself saga? I was recently made aware of a stunningly beautiful girl whose job is to pick calls and receive video calls for love scammers.She leaves in a posh duplex and drives a wonder on wheels. So b4 you “God when”, take time to find out how.

— Mazi Gburugburu (@Mazigburugburu1) June 16, 2020

EFCC don arrest Adeherself?? Dem say she be picker?? ??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️ Aww!! And she’s a fine girl o ?

— Duke of Ibadan ?️ (@AsiwajuLerry) June 16, 2020

People keep saying “and adeherself is such a fine girl.”
If you have ever doubted the privilege of being conventionally beautiful, well you can see it clearly.
What exactly does beauty have to do with this situation?

— Moe (@Mochievous) June 16, 2020

 

There were also jokes from it as some noted that the only surprise from reports that a woman is involved in fraudulent activities would be that she was doing her part in promoting “gender equality.”

They have been slandering males for partaking in yahoo yahoo and other fraudulent activities..Adeherself took it upon herself to show the world that women can be good at 419 too.

A modern day activist. So much for gender equality ?✊?

— UGLIEST FINع DΔDDY †? (@skizyman) June 16, 2020

So we have Lady yahoo yahoo too?
Girls also do yahoo? I can't believe Adeherself na Yahoo girl.

My gender will embarass you. ?‍♀️

— Esv. Adesewa✨ (@DuchessT_) June 16, 2020

There were also Twitter users who made jest with her videos as memes for her current predicament.

Adeherself when they ask her to be herself and explain in court

pic.twitter.com/JnLNB5PTiU

— valking ♔ (@_VALKlNG) June 16, 2020

The fact that people are using clips from Adeherself's skits to mock her is crazy ?

— CHIEF, THE DADDY™?? (@Chief_umar) June 16, 2020

Adeherself with her partners in prison ? pic.twitter.com/8O5QIuoTaN

— Rinu The Chemist?? (@SavvyRinu) June 16, 2020

 

In the opinion of some, this event would boost “Adeherself’s” career. They cited instances of Nigerian artistes who had been arraigned by the court on account of fraud charges and had received wide publicity afterwards.

Naira Marley came back from prison and rose to stardom.

Tekashi 6ix9ine came back from prison and started doing numbers.

I’m not wishing Adeherself prison oh, but josh said “think abbat eet” ?

— Duke of Ibadan ?️ (@AsiwajuLerry) June 16, 2020

If KiriKiri can be a turning point in the life of Naira Marley, it can be a turning point for Adeherself too.

— DRIVING SCHOOL DROPOUT ™? (@eniturn) June 16, 2020

 

Everyone seems to be at the edge of their seats awaiting what the outcome will be from this new “revelation”