Scam artists have been robbing people blind since before the word gullible came to be. In Nigeria, Ayomide Tayo traces the explosion of online crime, known in this clime as Yahoo Yahoo or 419, to the end of middle class, no thanks to the IBB/Abacha regimes.
Nigerians and foreigners alike have been victims of internet fraud, so the EFCC handler thought to shed some light on the format these fraudsters use to hook their prey.
Looks like #TheEagle hit a nerve. Let us do something this morning to help protect and enlighten our foreign friends. #Thread
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 8, 2017
Tweet at this handle all the "Format" that scammers use to defraud innocent people online. Do it with the hash tag #Format .
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 8, 2017
Let us expose them. #TheEagle will retweet the best tweets. #TheEagle will also welcome #Format tweets from repentant scammers/fraudsters.
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 8, 2017
Let's go! #Format
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 8, 2017
We’re here to assist in spreading the word. This. Is. How. You. Get. Taken. Don’t fall for it:
BVN error
https://twitter.com/la_OK3/status/883818593523302400
#Format
Your online banking token device has been revoked, call/text your BVN to this number 080xxxxxxxx to reactivate it🏃— #GoodVibesAlways (@akinmayo) July 8, 2017
… My landlady was already on the phone with them calling out her card details, this caught my attention. And I intervened. #Format
— Oyakhilome ⚡️ (@Jadonis13) July 8, 2017
@officialEFCC Your bank account has been temporarily blocked. Kindly call ur account number and ATM pin for confirmation. #Format
— Bonnie (@DoerPeters) July 8, 2017
“I’m a refugee”
My father was a wealthy man in Sudan,killed by rebels,I am now at refugee camp in Egypt. Get me out of here and we can enjoy my inheritance
— Odun (@abbide) July 8, 2017
I have received similar e-mails from scammers since early 2000s…Purportedly from a cute female refugee… I almost fell for it…
— UMAR ALIYU (@UmarAliyulp) July 8, 2017
#Format She'll say the priest at the Camp is assisting her with internet to aid her leaving there
— Odogwu (@fazzy_d) July 8, 2017
Yeah, I got her mails then too, back then
— Emmanuel Oyerinde (@OyerindEmmanuel) July 9, 2017
Shell recruiters
Dear *Name*,it is *name* ur Nysc colleague @ Asaba.I work with Shell.Hav u got job? Recruitment is on now,call me now 4 more details #Format
— Akunnaya (@_jojoGIRL) July 8, 2017
I almost fell for this sometimes last year. I asked where d guy's PPA was and he went mute. Sometime those that knows you are involved
— Samoreking (@samoreking) July 8, 2017
I almost fell too back in 2007. They use our photo albums to get our information. #Format
— Aliyu Jamilu BK (@aleeyujbk) July 8, 2017
They use NYSC photo album to get numbers
— MK (@Opynado) July 9, 2017
I’ll marry you
'Come and marry' 'I am your late dad's doctor and he has ppties with me for u' 'I have an NGO' #Format 😊😊😊
— kolade gbadamosi (@kollybhadmus) July 8, 2017
Match fixers
People claiming to sell fixed matches, creating whatsapp groups. Even go as far as uploading games that have been won. #format
— Omótúndé (@5am_inLagos) July 8, 2017
John Kelly
This one from John F Kelly #format pic.twitter.com/RcMZqjLznP
— Temitayo mi daa (@bigtt76) July 8, 2017
Old format
— in God we trust (@berrsky) July 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Linuskingsley4/status/883859339689283584
Political parties
We will make Nigeria a mini Dubai in four years time – APC in 2015. #Format
— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) July 8, 2017
How do we avoid this kind of electoral fraud in the future? #Format pic.twitter.com/xuY26xRh9D
— Restructure Nigeria (@RestructureNGR) July 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Ojo_BR/status/883740611693727744
https://twitter.com/Ojo_BR/status/883740611693727744
Muhammadu Buhari
'why do I need to go for foreign medical trip If we cannot make our hospital functional'
General Buhari Feb 21, 2015#format pic.twitter.com/AHYKbkFP3M— Senior Man (@AbujaTalkative) July 8, 2017
#Format pic.twitter.com/H1vLPyKKMn
— ʏօʊʀ dαddy'ѕ Fₐᵥₑ ßαddïε 🕊 (@_mrsmalaprop) July 9, 2017
#Format pic.twitter.com/nyTVoyF0jh
— ʏօʊʀ dαddy'ѕ Fₐᵥₑ ßαddïε 🕊 (@_mrsmalaprop) July 9, 2017
we will make 1$ = 1 naira #format
— TOCHUKWU NWAFOR (@TE_Nwafor) July 8, 2017
Nigerian police
Lagos police stopping young boys using iPhone ,, saying they are scammers and forcing them to give them money …. #Format pure scam
— Payper69 (@iam_payper) July 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Mike_zuzu/status/883834456338989057
Fishy Promos
https://twitter.com/reechie_sleek/status/884046392678895616
#Format
Congratulations, u have just won N500,000 in the ongoing eaglesdrink promo. Call 080******** to claim your price.— Rafiki (@RAFIHATU_BELLO) July 8, 2017
On top promo that we have never heard about and was never publicised on TV or radio and they use correct brand names.
— Rafiki (@RAFIHATU_BELLO) July 8, 2017
Dollar rain
#Format
I just came back from America and I don't have naira notes with me, all I have is dollars. Please help me change it. #FakeNotes— Rafiki (@RAFIHATU_BELLO) July 8, 2017
@officialEFCC I sell my Bitcoins at the cheapest rate.. I have just few left..send the money lemme confirm it FIRST.. #format
— Clintmeks (@meksclint) July 8, 2017
We’ve got goods
@officialEFCC I import laptops, & my goods are coming. Persons have almost bought them off. Pay now at cheaper rate before it lands. #format
— Victor (@NduOVictor) July 8, 2017
They chat you up from abroad, send some fake goods and they asked you to goan get it from DHL with a fake call from DHL #Format
— Misola in the Cloud☁️ (@Iam_Misola) July 8, 2017
Haven't delivered I just suspected right away that this could be a scam. Happened 2010
— Osho-Baba Of Oxford (@denzel_flare) July 9, 2017
Their way of operations ehn….so real but the ise one will smell crap from it
— Misola in the Cloud☁️ (@Iam_Misola) July 9, 2017
Money doublers
Get back double/triple of your money within x number of days. To join, register with x amount of money, and bring x number of people #Format
— Oluwatobi Aikomo (@oaikomo) July 9, 2017
Long lost Uncle
One called with the "guess who's calling from the abroad" line. I was like Uncle BJ, long time….so you died and didn't tell us 😂😂 #Format
— Taiwo Yinusa (@taiwolusol) July 8, 2017
they call you with foreign number and ask about your wards. When you ask who is this, they tell you to guess.
— God's Blue Eyed Boy (@TundeMusaEkene) July 8, 2017
OLX
#format #olxsellers "we do free delivery but you have to pay 50% of the price first otherwise come to badagry to pick it up"
— Oduhasaplan (@_Oduwole) July 8, 2017
Auction! Auction!
https://twitter.com/frankiefab100/status/883731666124103680
Importers-Exporters
https://twitter.com/princeokey10/status/883726210290810880
Got a Job
am a blogger based in Enugu I want 2 brng 2 ur notice a fraud activity going on at no 46 chime avenue new haven, Enugu . pic.twitter.com/VciBX3dVzo
— Fivestarblog (@Fivestarblog) July 7, 2017
No experience required #Format
— A M A K A (@TrulyJayne) July 10, 2017
You need a megaphone to enlighten the general public on this menace in the society.
— John Ikhihibhojere (@JIkhihibhojere) July 7, 2017
To job seekers, no reasonable organisation will tell you to attend an interview at 6.45am. Be careful, lest you get robbed. #StayWoke
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 7, 2017
Shine thine eye.
