The Nigerian government has expressed deep concern over the rising trafficking of Nigerian youths into forced cybercrime activities across West Africa. The victims, including teenagers, are often tricked by fraudulent job offers, particularly in crypto-related schemes, which lead them into exploitation by sophisticated scam networks.
A statement from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued on Sunday by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, detailed the troubling trend where young Nigerians are being trafficked with promises of high-paying jobs abroad. Unfortunately, many of these youths find themselves trapped in what are known as “419 cyber-scam factories” where they are forced to carry out fraudulent activities under harsh and inhumane conditions.
The government explained that these victims are coerced into sending thousands of fraudulent messages, emails, and calls aimed at defrauding people worldwide. In many cases, these young Nigerians are subjected to long hours of work with little or no pay, living in poor conditions and unable to escape the criminal networks.
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to be cautious when seeking employment, especially with offers that seem too good to be true, such as those involving international travel or crypto-based jobs. The government urged citizens to verify such job opportunities through official channels to avoid falling victim to these schemes.
In addition to raising public awareness, the Nigerian authorities have vowed to work closely with regional partners and law enforcement agencies to track down and apprehend those responsible for trafficking and exploiting these youths.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and dignity of its citizens, both within Nigeria and abroad, and pledged to continue efforts to combat emerging threats and crimes targeting vulnerable Nigerians.
