Voodoo Fraud
Voodoo fraud
‘I am sure he loves me, and I know love him.’
It was 2020 and the victim Christina (not her real name) had asked for my help with the fraud she was victim of. She’d taken a huge step by calling me. She had hidden losses from her partner. She was now due to retire and where those savings went was bound to come up.
Her online lover had asked her to wait for the money with endless reasons why it could not be paid back but every time they spoke, he turned on the charm, was attentive, romantic, and reassuring. He was what you’d call a Yahoo Boy.
Yahoo Boys
‘Yahoo Boy’ is a slang term originating in Nigeria for a young man involved in online cyber fraud and scams, particularly those targeting victims internationally for financial gain. The name derives from the early 2000s, when scammers frequently used free Yahoo email accounts to send unsolicited spam, phishing emails, or “advance-fee” frauds (commonly known as “419 scams” after the relevant section of the Nigerian Criminal Code).
They are well known and associated with romance scams sourcing victims from social media and dating sites. Often, they impersonate other people and go to great lengths and theatre to pass themselves off as military men or VIPs which helps them cover up their true identities and locations – ‘I am on a top-secret mission so cannot video call’ is a commonly used excuse.
Usually, the romance scammers themselves will be patient to weave their spell on victims and then start needing money for medical treatments, the orphanage they supposedly fund, or to cover the cost of travel to meet the new love of their life. The money is instead spent on themselves and that meeting does not happen.
Then they simply disappear and ghost their victims.
Digital Crime
For more instant results they also work on an industrial scale as digital fraudsters buying and selling data online to commit fraud using dark web sites and closed user groups on the bright web. They do account take overs, carding, refund fraud, investment fraud, ransomware and just about everything cyber criminals do.
Looking for Assurance
Going back to Christina’s case I asked why she believed he loved her. She told me some examples where she had been impressed that he had given her his real name, and a postal address is Nigeria. That he had asked her for a photograph of her to cherish and she offered to send a digital copy, but he insisted she posted her a hard copy that she had held. He also asked for a cheap bracelet she sometimes wore.
She had offered to send him more expensive jewellery, and he declined. In her captivated state she ignored all the money she had sent him and focused on him wanting things she had held or worn.
The Role of Voodoo in Fraud
I was curious though. Fraudsters like to get as much as they can. I didn’t quite understand this and was mindful of the way it had reassured Christina. I realised as is often the case there might be something going on which I was not aware of. I asked around and quickly found an academic who specialised in Nigerian crime who explained to me that the items were probably for voodoo type rituals which some of the Yahoo Boys literally swore by. These items were used in the rituals to give the fraudster power over their victims. As a life-long career detective I’ve been engrained pragmatically in facts and evidence rather than superstition. This was entirely new to me.
I do recall it being said that voodoo only works if you believe in it. These Yahoo boys clearly did. As a result, it gave them absolute confidence in their power over the victim. A confident person often exudes a higher degree of attraction in others, and success created a circle of proof for the fraudster that the rituals work.
Weaving Their Spell
We often hear victims saying they felt under a spell whereby they comply with requests they might otherwise decline. Obviously this applies to many romance scammers who make their victims feel special but the voodoo aspect deserves attention to for anyone fighting this type of fraud It also helps to give context about how victim’s can find small things to reassure them that they were right to trust the fraudster and that everyone else is wrong about them.
I’ve seen similar with investment frauds where victims try to withdraw funds and the fraudsters insist, they first must pay capital gains tax in advance and then they can have their money. One such victim believed that proved the investment scheme was genuine as it must be tied to HMRC. It wasn’t and they weren’t but thankfully we were able to convince him before he sent more money to them.
Keep Learning, Keep Sharing
In the fight against fraud, vigilance and curiosity are our greatest allies. The devil is in the detail. By staying proactive, continuously learning, and sharpening our focus, we not only protect ourselves but also build a stronger defence against those who prey on oversight. Being open to new knowledge in the fast-evolving environment of fraud is the best way to stay one step ahead.
Peter Taylor, ACFS
30th September 2025
Further reading:
Profile
Peter Taylor is an accredited counter fraud specialist who began his career as a CID officer in Greater Manchester Police. He then founded a specialist fraud investigation business and went on to become the Head of Fraud for global loss adjusting companies. More recently he has worked as a freelance consultant, trainer, and investigator. He has also been featured on the BBC Fraud squad television programme.