The article highlights the clandestine world of online scams orchestrated by an influencer known as Format Boy, who advises West African cybercriminals known as Yahoo Boys. Unlike typical influencers, Format Boy remains anonymous, focusing on teaching high-paying scams without seeking traditional fame or endorsement deals. Yahoo Boys typically exploit vulnerable victims, particularly wealthy foreigners, through emotional manipulation and advanced tactics like deepfakes. This dangerous interplay has led to significant financial losses for victims and tragic outcomes, including suicides linked to blackmail and online extortion, underscoring the grave nature of these activities.
These cybercriminals, often young men in Nigeria, duplicate elaborate relationships with victims over time and employ diverse techniques to extract money.
Format Boy serves as an adviser to the Yahoo Boys, directing them on sophisticated scams while maintaining anonymity and avoiding mainstream influencer pitfalls.
Using technologies like face-swapping and AI-generated news broadcasts, scammers enhance the believability of their schemes to exploit their victims.
The psychological toll on victims has been devastating, leading to severe financial losses and, tragically, reported suicides among those targeted.
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