How do I report an online scam in Nigeria?
Phone your bank first so they can try to stop the money, then report it at the nearest police station of the Nigeria Police Force and ask for it to go to the cybercrime unit. You can also report it to the EFCC, and report investment scams to the SEC.
Reporting matters even if the amount is small: it helps the bank, the platform and the police, and it can link your case to others by the same scammer. The EFCC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, investigates fraud such as romance scams, advance-fee scams and investment scams.
Step by step
- Phone your bank straight away. If you paid by transfer, report it as fraud and ask them to try to stop the money in the account that received it.
- Keep everything: screenshots of the chats, the profile, the number, the bank account details, payment receipts and links.
- Report it at the nearest police station of the Nigeria Police Force. Explain that it's online fraud and ask for it to be referred to the cybercrime unit. Take your evidence, with dates and amounts, and ask for a copy of the police report.
- Give the police report to your bank.
- You can also report the scam to the EFCC, on its official website or at one of its offices.
- If it was an investment scam, report it to the SEC. Report the profile on the platform where you chatted.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a lawyer to report a scam?
- No. Anyone can report a crime at a police station.
- I'm embarrassed to talk about it. Is it worth it?
- Yes. Scams fool people of every age and profession. Reporting helps stop the scammer.
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