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Factors Influencing Involvement in Cyber-Frauds in West Africa and the Implications for Policy

Mark Button ; Suleman Lazarus ; Branislav Hock ; James Bugbilla Sabia ; Durgesh Pandey ; Paul Gilmour (2025) — European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research

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DOI: 10.1007/s10610-025-09649-6 (opens in a new tab)

Type:   Journal Article
Country:   United Kingdom
Tags:   AI-Enabled Fraud, Cross Border Fraud, Cyber Fraud, Ghana, Law Enforcement, Measurement, Nigeria, Online Scams, Platform Policy, Prevention, Romance Scams, Social Control, Victim Experience, West Africa, Youth Unemployment
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Synopsis

            
This article examines cyber-frauds and scams as a significant problem linked to West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, and explores how such activity spreads beyond the perpetrators themselves. Drawing on 36 interviews with active fraudsters as well as law enforcement officials, government representatives, and NGOs from Ghana, Nigeria, and other victim countries, the study documents the scope of the fraud ecosystem and the networks that support it. It situates the phenomenon within a broader context of social, economic, and policy dynamics in the region, aiming to illuminate the factors that sustain illicit activity and to inform responses beyond punitive measures alone. A central focus is on the diverse drivers that propel young men toward these crimes. The analysis identifies economic pressures as a core undercurrent and shows how the perceived prestige and social status associated with scams, along with the influence of family and friends, can shape choices. Spiritual rationalizations, role models, and messages from popular culture and confraternities contribute to shaping attitudes toward fraud, while gaps in formal social controls leave communities more vulnerable to criminal pathways. Taken together, these factors create an environment in which involvement in fraud can become normalized in certain communities, effectively framing illicit activity as a viable vocation rather than an aberration. The discussion underscores that such normalization carries important implications for how policies should address both the motivations of individuals and the broader social context. The article concludes with a discussion of policy options and the challenges of implementation in a climate where donor governments have reduced aid to these regions. It argues for a multi-faceted response that goes beyond enforcement to address structural conditions, including increased economic assistance aimed at expanding opportunities for young people. It also advocates for enhanced education about these crimes targeted at youth and a strengthened enforcement presence, among other measures, as elements of a comprehensive strategy. Overall, the work highlights the need to consider the complex social and economic landscape that sustains cyber-fraud networks in West Africa when designing effective policy interventions.

          

        
                  

            
Identified Gaps

            
The paper identifies little prior research on the extent and depth of scamming in Nigeria, Ghana receives comparatively less research, and robust data on active fraudster numbers are absent. It also notes insufficient overarching study of recent developments including romance fraud, BEC fraud, and Hustle Kingdoms. The prevalence of claimed parental support, spiritual beliefs, and university fraud involvement remains uncertain.

          

        
                  

            
Methods

            
UK Home Office-commissioned qualitative research on fraud originating in Nigeria and Ghana. The West Africa analysis used 36 interviews with active/past fraudsters, law-enforcement and government officials, NGOs, consultants, scam fighters, and others. Participants were recruited through gatekeepers, networks, literature-identified contacts, and snowballing; interviews were in person or via Zoom, transcribed, coded, and thematically analysed in Excel. The project also conducted an extensive literature review and built a database of convicted and known fraudsters from media and official reports.

          

        
                  

            
Limitations

            
Exact numbers of active fraudsters cannot be robustly estimated because fraud is illicit and prosecution figures reflect enforcement activity rather than prevalence. Several claims about penetration in households and universities come from interviewees operating in particular urban areas and require further research. The authors also state that the fraud triangle has limitations when applied beyond individual internal fraudsters to West African fraud.

          

        
                  

            
Future Work

            
Research is needed to establish the prevalence and depth of parental support for fraud, spiritual beliefs supporting scamming, and fraud penetration in universities across Southern Nigeria. Scholars also need to examine confraternities’ role in encouraging and facilitating fraud, and revisit criminological frameworks for digital-age offending.

          

              

    
    

        
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