The Nigerian side of the X (FKA, Twitter) app has been hot since the news of an alleged romance scammer named Iriodalo Emmanuel Obhafuoso broke out yesterday. He allegedly goes from babe to babe and scams them of their money.

Other victims have come to the open to share a similar story about their encounters with Obhafuoso, who also goes by OD. But this is Nigeria, the possibility of his getting apprehended or investigated is almost non-existent.

While the jury is still out on OD, one can assume there are others like him. And they tend to follow these steps.

Target and pattern

Scammers will likely target accounts with not so many followers. The targets are usually single too. The reason is apparent: scammers don’t want popular victims who will make noise if their schemes fail and they get exposed. Single targets also make it easy to play on emotional vulnerability, too. They want you to be as unpopular and unsuspecting as possible.

DMs

Once they spot a potential victim, social interaction launches on the timeline. Gradually, they take it to the DM to spark up conversation.

All DMs can’t be ignored or assumed to be scam, but scammers will somehow leave signs that eventually unravel their intentions. Keep reading anyway.

Build closer relationships

By this time, you’re comfortable with each other.You might have even shared personal information from a place of trust —Someone has dropped “lamba”, and it’s not you.

Depending on the dynamics (friendship or romance level), the scammer capitalises on the relationship and begins soft-launching the scam.

ALSO READ: Iriodalo Emmanuel Obhafuoso: Nigerian Man Facing Multiple Allegations of Scam

Tell lies

You’ll hear lies like they are based in the U.S., they work with Mastercard, or they’re globetrotters. They’ll even go as far as trying to impress you with expensive gifts.

Then, problems come out of nowhere

When they’ve properly gotten your attention , they begin to share their burdens with you. It may be a parent’s demise, an accident, health crises, or a donation to some orphanage in Agege or North Carolina.

You’ll start feeling bad and wondering why they’ve been unfortunate since you met them. The moment you become concerned or touched by these stories, you’ve unlocked a a higher level of access to steal from you.

Money and donation

Out of your kind heart, you might think, “Why not help?” TBH, nothing should stop you from being good, but you must draw firm boundaries to protect yourself too. 

So what to do? Share with friends or ask if the cause looks legit. Chances are someone might recognise the scammer.

Counterattack

Or just responding to their request with your own problems. If they  stop texting you because the whole thing has turned into a suffering Olympics, then you have your answer — You’re not giving what they want, or you don’t have what they’re looking for.

Oya, praise Master Jesus and pay me for giving you OT Scam 101.

Or spend the money on our Burning Ram Meat Festival tickets. It’s happening on November 11th in Lagos.