Top Online Scams in Nigeria and How to Avoid Them (2025 Guide)

Published: October 2025 · By: TrustShopping Blog Team

This guide walks you through the most common online scams affecting Nigerians in 2025, how the scams work, real warning signs, and practical steps to avoid losing money or having your identity stolen. Whether you use mobile money, bank transfers, crypto, social media or online marketplaces — this article is for you.

Why this matters now

Online fraud continues to evolve. Scammers now combine social engineering, deepfakes, fake apps, and payment-splitting schemes to trick victims. Nigeria remains a high-activity market — not because people are careless, but because scammers target regions where digital adoption is rapid and regulatory oversight can lag. Protecting yourself is an ongoing process; consider this guide your practical playbook.

Quick overview — common scams you will see

Here are the scam types covered in this guide. We'll explain each, show examples, and give concrete prevention steps.

• Phishing & fake websites (incl. cloned bank or exchange pages)
• Investment & Ponzi schemes (get-rich-quick crypto or FOREX schemes)
• Fake job and recruitment scams
• Social media impersonation and romance scams
• Fake apps / malicious APKs that steal credentials
• SIM swap and 2FA interception attacks
• Marketplace fraud (fake products, advance-fee scams)
• Unauthorized “help” or recovery scams (fraudsters posing as support)

1. Phishing & cloned websites

How it works: You receive an email, SMS, or social message that looks like it's from your bank, a crypto exchange, or a service you use. The message asks you to click a link and “verify” your account. The link goes to a fake site that captures your login and password.

Warning signs: Slightly misspelled domains, urgent language, requests for sensitive info, or links that don't match the sender.

How to avoid:

• Always type the service's official URL manually or use a bookmarked link for high-value sites (banks, exchanges).
• Never enter passwords on a site opened from a message — first check the domain carefully (e.g., look for HTTPS and the exact domain name).
• Use strong unique passwords and a reputable password manager.
• Enable authenticator apps or hardware 2FA rather than SMS when possible.

If you received a suspicious message claiming to be from Cheelee or another platform, check our review and withdrawal guides: Is Cheelee Legit or Scam? Full Review and How to Withdraw Money From Cheelee in Nigeria.

2. Investment & Ponzi schemes (crypto or FOREX)

How it works: Scammers promote guaranteed returns, often showing screenshots of fake earnings, celebrity endorsements (fake), or fabricated KYC screenshots. They ask for deposits — once they have enough, they disappear.

Warning signs: Guaranteed high returns, pressure to reinvest or recruit, unregulated platforms, missing company details or fake registration.

How to avoid:

• Verify company registration and regulatory status. Most legitimate investment platforms are regulated and transparent.
• Be skeptical of any “guaranteed” returns; legitimate investments carry risk.
• Do small test transactions first and use independent reviews (not just testimonials posted by promoters).
• If a service asks for payment in crypto only and offers no formal contracts, this is a red flag.

“High rewards almost always equal high risk — and in many frauds, there is no real investment at all.”

3. Fake job and recruitment scams

How it works: Scammers post fake jobs or contact applicants offering employment but request fees for training, background checks, or to release a work kit. They might ask for “registration fees” or bank details.

Warning signs: Employers asking for money, vague job descriptions, poor grammar in offers, or offers made without interviews.

How to avoid:

• Research the employer. Use LinkedIn/company website to verify the HR contact.
• Never pay for a job. Legitimate employers don't ask you to pay to start work.
• Ask for written contracts and confirm company registration where possible.

4. Social media impersonation & romance scams

How it works: Scammers create fake profiles, build trust, and then request money for an emergency or investment. Romance scams often escalate to large sums over time.

Warning signs: Quick expressions of deep emotion from strangers, reluctance to do video calls, requests for money, or requests to move conversation to private channels.

How to avoid:

• Verify identity with video calls and cross-check social footprint.
• Never send money to someone you only know online.
• Be cautious with links and file attachments sent by strangers.

5. Fake apps and malicious APKs

How it works: Fraudsters distribute trojanized apps that look like legitimate apps (wallets, streaming, earning apps). Once installed, the app steals credentials, records keystrokes, or requests seed phrases.

Warning signs: Apps offered outside official stores, poor app descriptions, many permissions requested at install.

How to avoid:

• Install apps only from official Google Play or Apple App Store listings.
• Check developer name, reviews, and number of installs. Look for official website links.
• Avoid sideloading APKs from unknown sources.

If you use an earning app (like Cheelee), use the official app store listing and verify support channels — read our main review to learn common complaint patterns: Is Cheelee Legit or Scam? Full Review.

6. SIM swap & 2FA interception

How it works: Attackers convince your mobile operator to port your number to their SIM card, then intercept SMS-based 2FA and reset account passwords or approve transactions.

How to avoid:

• Use authenticator apps or hardware 2FA instead of SMS where possible.
• Contact your mobile operator and add a PIN or extra account verification (some Nigerian carriers offer TPINs or account locks).
• Monitor account activity and enable email alerts for unusual logins.

7. Marketplace and delivery scams

How it works: On buy-and-sell platforms, scammers ask for advance payments then vanish, send counterfeit goods, or use fake escrow confirmations.

How to avoid:

• Use trusted marketplace escrow systems, or pay on delivery for local transactions if possible.
• Meet in public places and verify goods before releasing payment.
• Check seller reviews and ask for live video of the product before paying.

8. Tech support and “recovery” scams

How it works: Fraudsters contact victims claiming to be platform support and ask to “help recover funds” — they request remote access or seed phrases.

How to avoid: Never give remote access or share seed phrases. Official support will never ask for your password or seed.

Practical checklist — what to do now (step-by-step)

1. Pause: If you receive an unusual request for money or info, take a moment and verify the sender independently.
2. Verify: Confirm company or contact via official channels (company website, verified social media, official phone numbers).
3. Test: Try a small transaction first when dealing with unfamiliar platforms.
4. Secure: Use strong passwords, password manager, authenticator app, and hardware 2FA where possible.
5. Backup: Secure your recovery phrases and important credentials offline (paper or metal backups).
6. Report: Report scams to your bank, the platform, and local cybercrime authorities (e.g., Nigeria's CERT/EFCC where appropriate).

What to do if you were scammed — immediate steps

1. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately and request a freeze where possible.
2. If funds were sent to an exchange, contact the exchange with transaction IDs and request a freeze.
3. Collect evidence (messages, transaction IDs, screenshots) and report to local law enforcement and your platform's support.
4. Change passwords and 2FA for any accounts that may be linked.
5. If crypto was stolen, publish a public transaction alert (on channels like Twitter) with the transaction hash and addresses — sometimes exchanges will monitor and act.

Recovery is often difficult but acting quickly improves your chances.

Useful resources & related reading

For practical steps on withdrawing safely and evaluating earning platforms, read our connected articles:

Is Cheelee Legit or Scam? Full Review How to Withdraw Money From Cheelee in Nigeria TrustShopping Home — More Guides & Tutorials

FAQ

Q: How can I check if a link is safe?

A: Hover to preview the URL, check for HTTPS, and confirm the exact domain name. Use URL scanners like VirusTotal for additional confidence.

Q: Who do I report scams to in Nigeria?

A: Report to your bank, the platform involved, and file a complaint with the Nigerian Cybercrime Unit (EFCC) or local police cybercrime desk. Many banks also have a fraud hotline.

Q: Are earning apps safe?

A: Some earning apps are legitimate; others are risky. Review company details, withdrawal proof, and independent reviews before investing time or money. See our reviews for platform-specific guidance: Cheelee Review.

Final advice — stay skeptical and verify

Scams thrive on urgency and trust. The two best defenses are skepticism and verification — always check independently, avoid pressure, and protect your devices and credentials. If you adopt the checklist above, you’ll reduce your risk significantly.

Stay informed. Browse more practical guides and how-tos on our site: trustshopping.store

Disclaimer: This content is educational and not legal or financial advice. If you face significant losses, seek legal counsel and contact authorities immediately.

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