A recent investigation has uncovered a group of scammers operating out of Abuja, Nigeria, using fake celebrity impersonations to defraud victims. This revelation, posted on YouTube on June 9, 2024, has already amassed thousands of views, shedding light on the deceptive tactics employed by these fraudsters.
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The scammers, based in the affluent parts of Abuja, were caught on their webcams during a sting operation. To gain victims ‘ trust, they were impersonating well-known figures in the fight against scams, such as Scammer Payback and Trilogy Media. They posed as these celebrities and their support teams, claiming to help victims recover lost funds and solve hacking problems. Messages like “Text me on Telegram, the Trilogy team” or “Hello, we are Scammers Payback support” were common tactics used to lure unsuspecting individuals.
The scam begins with the fraudsters promising to recover funds for victims. They ask for evidence of the victim’s previous losses and then demand payment for a so-called recovery software allegedly bought from the dark web. The price of this fake software varies, depending on the amount initially lost by the victim. Payments are requested via Bitcoin or gift cards, making the transactions hard to trace.
With Nanoa and Dan’s help, investigators infiltrated the scammers’ operations. They discovered multiple scam types beyond the fake celebrity impersonations, including romance scams and fake IRS tax return scams. The scammers were found to be living luxurious lifestyles, funded by their ill-gotten gains, with clear evidence of their fraudulent activities found on their computers, including personal files, victim correspondence, and proof of transactions.
All collected evidence, including detailed police reports, names, locations, and proof of the scams, was submitted to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC is expected to take action based on this comprehensive evidence.
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The investigators went a step further by confronting the scammers directly. In a dramatic reveal, they showed the scammers their faces on their computer screens and warned them of impending law enforcement action. Despite the scammers’ attempts to cover their webcams and deny their actions, the confrontation was recorded and shared as part of the YouTube video.
