Online scams in Cameroon: when the internet becomes a trap ⚠️

Cliquez ici pour lire en français

With the rise of digital technology, online scams are exploding in Cameroon. Fake lotteries, romance scams, dubious investments… Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly inventive in trapping internet users. Unfortunately, many fall for their tricks, often due to a lack of information or vigilance.

More and more sophisticated scams 🎭

Scammers’ methods are constantly evolving. First, fake investments attract numerous victims. Indeed, some platforms promise to double money in a short time.

Joël, a young entrepreneur from Yaoundé, fell into the trap. « I saw an ad on Facebook promoting a revolutionary investment. All I had to do was send an initial deposit to receive exponential returns in a week. Everything seemed serious—a well-designed website, responsive customer service at first. I invested 100,000 FCFA, then they asked me to reinvest to earn even more. After my second deposit, no one was answering my messages anymore. The website disappeared overnight. Today, I’ve learned that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is, » he explains.

If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Deceptive promises of love 💔

Then, there are romance scams. Scammers create fake profiles on social media and build long-distance relationships with their victims. After a while, they start asking their supposed partner for money. Believing they are in a well-established relationship, the victim gives in in the name of love.

« I met a man on Instagram. He introduced himself as a Cameroonian living in Europe. The guy was charming, caring, and after a few weeks, he started talking about marriage. One day, he told me he wanted to visit me but had financial difficulties obtaining his visa. He asked me to help him with 200,000 FCFA. I sent the money, and despite that, he kept asking for more to ‘finalize the process,’ » says Aline, a student in Yaoundé.

She adds, « When I refused, because I had already sent him my entire allowance, he cut off all contact. I searched for his name online and discovered that he was using the same photos to scam other women. On the ‘Nzui Manto’ and ‘Peupah Zouzoua’ pages, many victims were complaining about him. It was a terrible disappointment. »

Moreover, phishing remains very common. Through emails or SMS, scammers impersonate banks or telecom operators to obtain sensitive information.

Why do these scams thrive ? 🌐

Several factors explain this increase. On one hand, the lack of awareness makes some people vulnerable. Ange A., an IT specialist, highlights the issue. « The problem is that many people are unaware of cybercriminal techniques. They fall for scams because they don’t know such schemes exist. Some still believe that an email from a ‘bank’ asking for their information is legitimate. We need to educate people so they can recognize these traps. Everyone has smartphones, but not everyone knows how to use them wisely. »

Many people are unaware of cybercriminal techniques. They fall for scams because they don’t know such schemes exist.

On the other hand, the economic situation pushes some to look for easy ways to make money. « When you’re unemployed or facing financial difficulties, any opportunity to earn quick money seems attractive. Scammers exploit this need and manipulate people with enticing promises. It’s sad to see how financial hardship forces some to take risks, » says Didier Giamba, an economist. The recently implemented regulations on cybercrime and personal data protection in Cameroon remain insufficient to deter these practices.

How to protect yourself effectively ? 🛡️

Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the risks. According to experts, adopting cautious habits is key. These include :

• Always verifying the source before clicking on a link or sending money.
• Being wary of unrealistic promises: if an offer seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
• Protecting online accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Never sharing banking information with a stranger, even if they seem trustworthy.

Vanessa E., a digital marketing student, shares her precautions. « Before, I didn’t pay much attention to the security of my accounts. But after almost getting hacked, I took action. Now, I enable two-factor authentication on all my accounts. I also avoid saving my banking information online. Since I installed a VPN, I feel safer. »

Your opinions matter!!! !!!
Have you ever been a victim of an online scam? What advice would you give to avoid these traps? Share your thoughts in the comments ☺️