Romance Scams in Nigeria
How romance fraud affects Nigerian victims — from dating-app grooming to blackmail — and the local reporting routes available.
Part of: Fake Online Partners
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
While Nigeria is often discussed as a source country for romance fraud, a significant and under-reported population of Nigerian citizens are themselves victims. Scammers operating across West Africa and beyond target Nigerians on dating apps and social media with fabricated relationships that lead to financial loss, blackmail, and emotional harm.
This guide focuses on how romance fraud manifests for victims located in Nigeria, the specific tactics and payment methods used, and the Nigerian reporting infrastructure available.
How this scam works on Nigeria
Nigerian victims encounter romance scammers primarily on Facebook, Instagram, and local dating apps. A common variant involves a scammer posing as a foreign national — often claiming to be working abroad in oil and gas, the military, or construction — who develops an intense remote relationship before requesting money for a flight home, a business emergency, or a gift that is stuck in customs.
Sextortion is another variant that overlaps with romance fraud: a contact who seemed romantic quickly produces compromising material and threatens to share it with the victim's contacts unless paid. Payments are typically requested via bank transfer, mobile money (such as OPay or PalmPay), or gift card codes.
Common red flags
- Contact who quickly declares love but refuses or avoids video calls
- Foreign professional who needs money for a flight, visa, or customs clearance
- Request for payment via gift card codes or mobile money to avoid a 'bank fee'
- Escalating emotional pressure and guilt-tripping when you question the request
- Person who becomes threatening if you refuse or express doubt
How to protect yourself
- Insist on a live video call before trusting any new online relationship
- Reverse-image-search profile photos using Google Images or TinEye
- Never send money, mobile money, or gift cards to someone you have not met in person
- Tell a trusted friend or family member about any online relationship before it becomes financial
- Save all chat screenshots before blocking and reporting
How to report it
- Report to the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Unit or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at efccnigeria.org
- File a complaint with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) if the contact was via a Nigerian phone number
- Contact your bank or mobile money provider immediately if a transfer was made
Frequently asked questions
The person I met online is now threatening to share private photos unless I pay — what should I do?
Don't pay — sextortion demands typically continue even after payment, since paying confirms you'll comply with further demands. Stop responding to the blackmail messages, preserve the evidence (screenshots, usernames, chat history), and report it to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or your nearest police cybercrime unit rather than negotiating directly with the scammer.
Where in Nigeria can I report a romance scam that led to blackmail or financial loss?
The EFCC handles cybercrime and financial fraud reporting and has channels for submitting complaints with supporting evidence like chat logs and payment records. You can also report to your local police division, especially if you need a formal police report for any follow-up action, such as with your bank.
I'm too embarrassed about the situation to report it — does that matter for getting help?
No — reporting agencies handle romance and blackmail scams regularly and are focused on stopping the perpetrator and helping you, not judging your situation. Being groomed into trusting someone and then threatened is a crime committed against you, and reporting it promptly gives the best chance of limiting further harm.
Is it safe to report romance fraud to Nigerian authorities?
Yes — the EFCC and Police Force Cybercrime Unit actively investigate online fraud. Bringing screenshots and transaction records significantly helps any investigation. You are a victim, not a suspect.