The Nigerian government has expressed concern over the rising issue of cyber slavery spreading across parts of West Africa, particularly targeting vulnerable Nigerian citizens. The alarming revelation follows a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which disclosed that nearly $65 million was lost in the past two years due to sextortion crimes allegedly orchestrated by Nigerian nationals.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, revealed the disturbing trend, which primarily affects young Nigerians, including underage teenagers. The victims are often lured abroad with promises of lucrative job opportunities, especially in crypto-related fields. However, once they arrive, they are trafficked into criminal operations that exploit them for cybercrime activities.
According to the ministry, these young Nigerians are forced into harsh and coercive conditions within “419 cyber-scam factories,” also known as criminal “call centers,” where they are made to send fraudulent emails, text messages, and calls to unsuspecting individuals worldwide. These operations are designed to defraud people out of their money, with the perpetrators profiting from their victims’ labor in extremely abusive environments.
The ministry also highlighted a recent case in Accra, Ghana, where the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) successfully rescued a group of Nigerians who had been forced into cybercrime activities under dire conditions. This incident underscores the severe exploitation and human trafficking involved in these criminal networks, which continue to grow in scale and impact.
In light of the growing concern, the Nigerian government stressed the urgency of addressing these multibillion-dollar cybercrime syndicates and emphasized the need for greater efforts to protect Nigerian citizens, both at home and abroad. The ministry assured the public that it is collaborating with regional partners, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to combat this disturbing trend, rescue victims, and bring the criminals behind these operations to justice.
In a bid to safeguard the welfare and dignity of Nigerians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on citizens to be cautious when presented with job offers, particularly those promising quick financial gain, overseas travel, or remote work involving cryptocurrencies. The government urged youths, in particular, to verify all employment offers through official channels and report any suspicious activity to the authorities for investigation and appropriate action.
