The countries below have been identified as the top Internet scamming countries in Africa, having high levels of cybercrime activity, including scams related to online dating, business email compromise, and advance fee fraud. It’s important to note that these scams are not limited to these countries and can happen anywhere in the world.
Nigeria has highest number of online romance fraudsters in Africa, according to a research by techshielder.
According to the report, over 1,129 romance fraud cases have been reported against Nigeria. The country is also responsible for a whopping £12.1 million in financial loss, this totals to an average loss per victim of £10,700 in romance scams alone.
Coming in at number 2 is Ghana. The small west African country has scammed a total of £8.2 million out of love-seekers pockets.
Top Internet Scamming Countries in Africa, 2024
The scammers in the African Countries below have mastered the art of Playing on the emotional triggers of foreigners looking to find love online via dating apps, websites or even social media with the aim of getting them to send money, gifts and or personal details.
1. Nigeria
According to reports, Nigeria is number one when it comes to internet scamming in Africa. The country is responsible for the highest number of dating scam cases in Africa and the second highest in the world.
The country has accounted for 1,129 reports of scams. The total amount of money lost due to Nigerian dating scams is a staggering £12.1 million, this totals to an average loss per victim of £10,700.
2. Ghana
Ghana is responsible for the second highest number of dating scam cases in Africa and the sixth highest in the world.
Over 534 romance fraud cases have been reported against the country, and they are responsible for a whopping £8.2 million in financial loss.
3. South Africa
From the table mountain to Tugela Falls (the tallest waterfall in the world), South Africa is a very beautiful place, but it is also the third highest internet scamming country in Africa. The Southern African country has accounted for 190 reports of scams. The total amount of money lost due to South African dating scams is a staggering £6.7 million, this totals to an average loss per victim of £35,433.
4. Morocco
Morocco, the fifteenth richest country in Africa has taken £295,474 out of love-seekers pockets, this totals to an average loss per victim of £949.
Morocco is responsible for the fourth highest number of dating scam cases in Africa.
5. Côte d’Ivoire
Rounding off the top five is Côte d’Ivoire, the country is responsible for the fifth highest number of dating scam cases in Africa.
The country has accounted for 229 reports of scams. The total amount of money lost due to Côte d’Ivoire dating scams is £139,690, this totals to an average loss per victim of £610.
World Ranking
The United Kingdom comes in first place. The nation has nearly stolen a total of £25,000,000 from 978 different dating scams, this totals to an average loss per victim of £25,112.
Turkey follows the United Kingdom with a whopping £18,47,683 reported loss from victims, and then it’s Nigeria in third place (£12,101,313), China in fourth place (£10.9 million) and Ghana in 5th place (€8.2 million).
How to Spot An Online Scam
Here are some signs you should be looking out for when dating online:
The person offers up good-looking photos and has many stories about their financial success. Oftentimes, if it’s too good to be true, then it usually is.
The person is in a rush to switch modes of communication. Scammers will try very quickly to get you to move to talk by email, messenger, or whatsapp.
They move quickly in relationship milestones. They often declare their love for you quickly, or even talk about relationship milestones like marriage or buying a home together early on in your relationship.
The person repeatedly postpones video chatting or has an excuse on why they can’t meet you face to face.
The person asks for financial support. They may pull on the heartstrings by giving a story about falling on hard times and that the money would be greatly appreciated.
The person tells you about an investment platform that gives very high return on people’s investment and how he’s been cashing out from it.
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