Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is calling for heightened public awareness regarding online fraud, noting that it has become a primary method for human trafficking. During the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, she emphasized that the nature of trafficking has shifted toward digital deception and organized international crime.
Under the theme “Trapped Behind the Scam,” the First Lady pointed out that many young professionals and graduates are targeted with fraudulent employment and investment schemes. After traveling abroad, these victims are often forced into exploitative labor and criminal activities. She urged communities and institutions to stay alert and report suspicious offers to prevent others from falling into these traps.
Data from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) highlights the severity of the crisis. Since the beginning of 2026, 156 victims have been rescued. Furthermore, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu Bello reported that approximately 300,000 individuals are trafficked yearly into Southeast Asian scam hubs. Once there, victims are coerced via intimidation to facilitate romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams targeting Western nations. These operations frequently disguise themselves as legitimate job opportunities in digital marketing and IT.
