Hold on to your hats, folks, because this story is wilder than a Nollywood plot twist! A French woman got catfished by someone pretending to be Brad Pitt using AI-generated photos, and she lost her life savings doing it. This is not your average romance scam; this is a ‘Yahoo Boy’ masterclass in using tech for trickery. We’re diving into how Nigerian scammers are leveling up their game and what this means for everyone online.
Key Takeaways:
- AI Romance Scam: Scammers used AI-generated images to impersonate Brad Pitt and fool a French woman.
- Huge Losses: The victim lost a staggering €830,000 ($850,000) to the fraudsters.
- Nigerian Connection: At least three Nigerian men in their 20s are implicated in the scam.
- ‘Yahoo Boys’ Evolving: Known for internet scams, Nigerian fraudsters are now using new technologies like AI.
- Authorities React: Nigeria’s anti-graft agency (EFCC) is ready to investigate but needs an official petition.
Brad Pitt Impersonated: The AI Twist
A 53-year-old French woman named Anne was targeted on Instagram by someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mom. They spun a sob story about the actor needing money for kidney treatment, alleging his accounts were frozen due to his divorce with Angelina Jolie. Using AI-generated images to make it seem legit, they convinced her she was in a real romance with the Hollywood star. Poor Anne fell hook, line, and sinker, losing a jaw-dropping 830,000 euros ($850,000).
The Infamous ‘Yahoo Boys’ Step Up Their Game
This Brad Pitt AI fraud highlights how Nigerian scammers, known locally as ‘Yahoo Boys,’ are becoming increasingly sophisticated. These guys aren’t just sending dodgy emails anymore; they’re embracing new technology. With AI, they can create fake photos and profiles that are incredibly convincing, making it harder than ever to spot a scam. These aren’t your grandfathers’ old ‘419’ scams. They’re using deepfakes and advanced techniques to get away with their schemes. By the way, these ‘Yahoo Boys’ also got a boost to their fame through popular songs that, in a way, glorify their lifestyle.
From ‘Nigerian Prince’ to AI Masterminds
For years, the internet has been plagued with various scams, from ‘Nigerian prince’ emails to romance scams. But the use of AI and deepfakes by these Nigerian groups is a game-changer. Cybercrime expert Timothy Avele warns that these new methods “erase the huge gains made already and set us back over 20 years.” It’s a worrying trend that shows how quickly these fraudsters adapt to new tech.
The Scale of the Problem
The problem is widespread. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, had to delete 63,000 accounts from West Africa linked to sextortion scams, blaming ‘Yahoo Boys’. These scams often target young victims, tricking them into sending compromising photos before blackmailing them.
Meta stated, “We’ve banned Yahoo Boys under Meta’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy —- one of our strictest policies -— which means we remove Yahoo Boys’ accounts engaged in this criminal activity whenever we become aware of them.” Despite the clampdown, scams continue to spread like wildfire.
Foreign Syndicates Are Also Involved
It’s not just local fraudsters. Foreign cybercrime syndicates are also taking advantage of Nigeria’s vulnerabilities, using the country as a base of operations. Last month, the EFCC arrested 792 suspects in a single operation in Lagos, with 192 being foreign nationals, including 148 Chinese. These syndicates often recruit Nigerian locals to help find victims online. They use tactics like phishing to target people all over the world.
Nigerian Authorities on the Case
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says they’re ready to take on these new, tech-enabled crimes. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stressed the need for formal petitions to launch an investigation. They’ve been making arrests, even raiding “cybercrime training centers” to tackle the issue head-on. But it is an uphill battle as these criminals find ever new and sophisticated ways to dupe unsuspecting victims. This is a global issue with international reach that requires international cooperation.
What’s Next?
The rise of AI-driven scams is alarming. As technology continues to evolve, so do the tactics of scammers. It’s a reminder that we all need to stay vigilant and be careful with who we interact with online. This case is a wake-up call that the ‘Yahoo Boys’ of Nigeria are not playing games. They are adapting and using the very latest technologies to carry out their nefarious activities.
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