Modern Nigerian Scammer Slang Language

(Last Updated On: August 5, 2022)

Modern Nigerian Scammer Slang Language

How Scammers Operate

A SCARS Insight

Scammers Are Known For Developing Their Own Slang, But It Has Gone From Just A Few Words To Almost A Language

As part of the strategies developed to ‘institutionalize’ scammers and their illicit business, and evade the punitive hand(s) of the Nigerian and international law enforcement agencies, cyber scammers in Nigeria have devised various strategies, including the deployment of anti-language and slangy expressions in their transactional and social interaction.

Studies on cybercrime in the Nigerian context have largely addressed the phenomenon from the sociological, economical and information technological perspectives with little attention paid to it from a linguistic perspective. Therefore, this study investigates the linguistic strategies employed by cyber scammers in Southwestern Nigeria in their social and transactional interaction.

Findings reveal slang coinages and overlexicalisation, and relexicalization (semantic extensions) are anti-language phenomena characterizing cyber scammers’ language in the region.

In other words, scammers are inventing their own language or terminology in their work and interpersonal or organizational relationships.

The full PDF of the study is below, but here are some of the important findings!

Types Of Cybercrimes In Nigeria

Nigeria’s cybercrimes include cloning of websites, false representations, Internet purchase and other e–commerce kinds of fraud.

The commonest forms of cybercrimes in Nigeria are financial fraud, cloning of electronic mails, identity theft (which often manifests or comes in form of emails emanating from impostors claiming to be representing certain financial institutions and requesting customers to supply certain sensitive information about their accounts to avoid their accounts being blocked, thus making transactions impossible) credit card theft, cyber harassment, fraudulent electronic mail, cyber laundering, malware, and cloning of websites.

Prevalent in Nigeria include:

  • Yahoo attack, which involves the use of e-mail address-harvesting devices to obtain information about the prospective victim’s e-mail address(es) from the Internet access points, with the intention of sending such scam messages;
  • hacking which has to do with the perpetrator breaking the security codes of financial institutions or organizations for e-commerce,
  • funds point cards and e-marketing products sites;
  • software piracy (illegal reproduction and distribution of software applications, games, and movies);
  • malware dissemination,
  • phishing (cloning of products and e-commerce sites/pages with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting victims);
  • spoofing (the process of having a computer on a network to operate like another, usually one with exceptional access rights, so as to access information on the other systems on the network);
  • cyber plagiarism (stealing other peoples’ ideas via the Internet public domains);
  • cyberstalking (in which the fraudster does a follow-up on the unsuspecting victim by sharing emails and entering the chat rooms frequently with them);
  • cyber defamation (in which the scam perpetrator sends e-mails containing defamatory contents to people related to the victim or posts such on a website);
  • salami attack (a technique through which small amounts of assets are removed from a larger pool. The stolen assets are removed one slice at a time (Hassan et al, 2012, p. 627).

Of course, there is more, with romance scams and BEC scams having the highest priority and profitability.

Anti-language

What is this?

At certain times and places we come across special forms of language generated by some portion of a subset of society – kind of an anti-society; these we may call “anti-languages.” An anti-language serves to create and maintain social structure through conversation, just as an everyday language does; but the social structure is of a particular kind, in which certain elements are strongly foregrounded. This gives to the anti-language a special character in which metaphorical modes of expression are the norm; patterns of this kind appear at all levels, phonological, lexico grammatical, and semantic. The study of anti-languages offers further insights into the relation between language and social structure, and into the way in which text functions in the realization of social contexts
(Halliday, 1976: 1)

We provide this so that victims may be watchful for these terms in the course of their conversations with these criminals!

Table 1. Initialisms in cyber scammers’ language

Item Antilanguage/Slangy expression Source Language Conventional meaning Yahoo business Usage
1 TF English Transfer
2 MO English Money order Money order
3 LR English Liberty reserved Liberty reserved (This is a mode of payment).
4 MTCN English Money Transfer Control Number This is an acronym for Money Transfer Control Number
5 CC English Credit card
6 O G English Original Gangster
7 FMT English Format

Table 2. Coinage in cyber scammers’ language

Item Anti-language/Slangy expression Source Language Conventional meaning Yahoo Business Usage
1 Bad market English This refers to an unsuccessful business attempt, especially when a prospect detects the pranks of the yahoo boys and withdraws from a proposed transaction with them.
2 Jonzing Nigerian

Pidgin

(NP)

This is used when a prospect/target victim has discovered the pranks of the yahoo boys but pretends to play along.
3 Ọká ti fo/ Iṣẹ́ ti já Yoruba This is a Yoruba expression that means “the secret has leaked”. This is usually used when a business plan is foiled, especially when it involves the intervention of the security agency.
4 Grinding English Grinding is an adjective in English usually used to qualify poverty. Browsing/ chatting online with a prospective victim “maga”.
5 Eke NP  – It means police in yahoo boys’ parlance
6 Maye Female victim (mugùn)
7 Maga Male victim (mugun)
8 Múgùn Victim, male or female
9 Ọpata NP Nonsense
10 Noke Defraud
11 Yawa NP Trouble Trouble
12 Gba control Codemixed Yoruba-

English

Hit the jackpot
13 Wire English In English, to ‘wire’ is to transfer currency from one What yahoo boys have done here is to reduplicate the term wire to coin their own expression wire which has an entirely different meaning
account to another, especially when it involves international transactions. from the word ‘wire’ in the general sense. In this context, wire is hacking into (international) bank websites in order to make use of the code for illegal withdrawals and transactions (through pickers). This practice is not limited to banks; it is also extended to multinationals and international organizations.
14 Wash English Generally, Nigerians wash dirty items such as clothes, used, plates, etc. Fake currency. This process also involves reduplication
15 G-boy/G-nigga English Yahoo boy/cyber scammer
16 Gbẹ́nusi Yoruba This has no conventional meaning in the Yoruba language, except when used as part of a sentence; for instance, Gbe enu si  microphone yen

‘draw your mouth close to the microphone

The imperative mono-lexical sentence in cyber scam parlance means ‘celebrate or throw a big party after a successful deal’.
17 Thugger Yahoo boy
18 Gbé pósí Yoruba Carry casket To celebrate (usually after a successful deal). This is usually done at parties in clubhouses, pubs, and relaxation centers
19 Come and marry English ‘Come and marry’ is a concept in yahoo business where the scammer pretends to be in love with the suspect (usually a foreigner) and promises marriage to him/her with the intention of defrauding him/her
20 Sáná wọlé Yoruba Begin the party with fireworks. The expression is used by Yahoo boys at parties
21 Ṣáṣẹ́ Yoruba Browse all through the night, searching for clients (prospective maga or mugu)
22 Come and carry English This phrase is employed in the context where an unsuspecting victim has been deceived into paying for goods or items that do not exist
23 Hacker ìkà Codemixing of English-

Yoruba

An expert hacker
24 Balling English Spending money lavishly
25 Baller English A yahoo boy who spends money lavishly
26 Owó afẹ́fẹ́ Yoruba Money made from cyber scam
27 sha prapra Original, confirmed, authentic
28 Sakamanje Lie/scam
29 Èkélébè Police
30 Sayé Yoruba Enjoy/ lavish money
31 Wọ́ke Yoruba To gain illicit access to the codes on a prospective victim’s credit card, with the intention of using same to perpetrate illegal money transfer, withdrawal or any other fraudulent act
32 Home boy English An amateur yahoo boy who is just learning the ropes
33 Body IP English Body Insurance Policy: Voodoo, charm
34 Westy English Western Union This word is derived from the expression Western Union through a morphological process called blending. This is the means through which yahoo boys claim whatever money has been deposited into their account by victims (maga).
35 Akante Account
36 Lappy Laptop, coined from the word laptop via a clipping
37 Gbéra Yoruba Arise Wise up (used to encourage fellow yahoo boys to intensify their efforts or up their scam skills or practices)
38 Jápa Yoruba run away
39 Ebelesu Yoruba Street boy
40 Lamgbe Yoruba Someone that is slow/foolish in nature, is usually used to describe a victim that falls easily
41 Kizo To stick to.., used to describe a situation where a yahoo boy is determined to stick to a particular victim until he finally succeeds in achieving his aim. This is in view of the fact that many ‘victims’ can be very difficult to dupe.
42 Lamba Lies or false stories narrated by a scammer to win the trust or confidence of the prospective victim
43 Omo beta Yoruba/English code mixed A nice yahoo fellow (perhaps due to his willingness to help others with proceeds from a ‘deal’)
44 Azza Account number
45 Saint Sami-Ganja English/unknown code-mixing A very successful yahoo boy
46 Gbẹ́sẹ̀ kúrò lóri wire yẹn Yoruba/English Remove leg     from wire Avoid a/the risky move (usually as a warning statement to a fellow yahoo boy perceived to be threading a dangerous path) or seen to be after a ‘client’ suspected to be smarter or can easily initiate their arrest process if he/she is duped
47 Ijoba wire Yoruba/English A yahoo clique/group
48 Science man English A native/witch doctor
49 Ká pátá[1] Yoruba A new practice among yahoo boys in which ladies’ pants and men’s boxers are being stolen for ritual purposes. This is also known as Free yahoo
50 System boy English Yahoo boy
[1] This is a new phase in yahoo yahoo practice, following the stage of feces eating, the physical killing of human beings to boost ‘business’ by yahoo boys. From the information gathered, the pants and boxers stolen are used for voodoo or charms that boost yahoo business while the fellows whose pants/boxers are stolen die mysteriously.

Table 3. Semantic extension in cyber scammers’ anti-language

Item Anti-language/Slangy expression Source Language Conventional meaning Yahoo Business Usage
1 Ọká Yoruba In Yoruba, ọká is a type of snake, that is slow to bite but very deadly when it does. In Yahoo business, it means secret
2 Hammer English  to hit or kick something with a lot of force This means a jackpot, a “business” boom. Yahoo boys use this expression when they have just recorded a success in their business.
3 Àpá Yoruba The mark of an old wound/scar The digits on a credit card.
4 Bombing English To destroy something by exploding a

bomb inside it

This is the process of sending different messages to different “maga/maye” by using bulk sms. Eg Dear Customer, your ATM has been blocked. To reactivate it, please call 000000
5 Ewé Yoruba This is a Yoruba word that means “leaf”. However, in the context of the yahoo business, this is used to refer to a cheque.
6 Format English The way in which information is arranged and stored on a computer Series of e-mails specially prepared to be sent to prospective victims. It contains lies and falsehoods, systematically package to deceive unsuspecting victims. This could even come in form of SMS (Short message service).
7 Yoruba In Yoruba, ‘Já’ means cut, used when an item like a rope cuts. This in yahoo business means “Fail”, hence such expressions as “iṣẹ ti já” .This literarily means “it has failed”. This is used when a business plan fails or a prospective victim discovers the pranks of yahoo boys.
8 Log-in English Log-in in English implies entering one’s details to have access to one’s account, usually a mail account. In yahoo, this implies a stolen username and password details.
9 All night English All night in Nigerian English (NE) refers to Vigil Night browsing
10 Loader English One who loads One who deposits/pays fake currency or cheque into a victim’s account
12 Ọmọ ọpẹ́ Yoruba Ope’s child A highly successful yahoo boy
13 Owó ọpẹ́ Yoruba Ope’s money or thanksgiving money A sum of money (made through yahoo yahoo) that puts a smile on the face of the
14 Àgbà awo Yoruba Chief priest/ a senior (occult) iniate A senior fellow in cybercrime business
15 Run down English A detailed report  A reduction in the size or quality of

something

Reducing the worth of a yahoo boy
16 Legit English Legitimate In the parlance of yahoo boys, Legit is a derivation from the word ‘legitimate’. Yahoo boys use this term to describe their illegal activities as being legal or legitimate. They also use it to express the authenticity of the information they have about clients. This is derived from clipping
17 Blow English The word blow has many meanings in English none of which includes the one expressed by cyber scammers in Nigeria. Become successful. Used to describe a situation where a yahoo boy has suddenly recorded a business success. It is common to hear expressions such as ‘mo fẹ bloẃ ” I want to make it big
18 Billing English Spelling out the amount to be paid for a service rendered or an item bought. Demanding for money from a victim
19 Jazz English A genre   of music Charm
20 Dye English Change the color of a clothing material Disappoint/dupe/scam
21 Client English One to whom a service is rendered A person planned to be duped or scammed
22 Address English Description of a place where one resides or works, etc Bank account (details)
23 Hottie hottie English One who is very

sexually attractive

In yahoo parlance, the word is reduplicated to derive hottie hottie. It refers to a yahoo boy that is currently doing well in the business. The synonym for this phrase in

yahoo parlance is ọmọ better (a better child)

24 Pósí Yoruba Casket A container, usually a wooden box, in which drinks are brought to yahoo boys at clubhouses. This lexical item is otherwise called ‘àpótí ọrọ’̀ ‘the box of wealth’ as a form of overlexicalisation
25 Logistics English The careful organization of a complicated activity so that it happens in a successful and effective way The gradual process by which funds are illegally moved from one account to another.

Table 4. Semantic extension

Item Anti-language/Slangy expression Source Language Conventional meaning Yahoo Business Usage
1 Alibaba Alibaba is the nickname of a popular Nigerian stand-up comedy Getting information about wealthy foreigners, particularly about their credit card details in order to use it order for goods from above
2 Papa Ajasco Papa Ajasco is a popular name in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He is one of the major characters in a regular TV soap opera produced by Wale

Adenuga (WAP)

Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) a unit of the Nigeria Police specially saddled with the task of handling cases involving hardened criminals

HERE IS THE COMPLETE STUDY THIS WAS TAKEN FROM

– – –

Scammer Language AjayiVol13Issue2IJCC2019

PLEASE SHARE SO OTHERS WILL KNOW

SCARS Publishing Self-Help Recovery Books Available At shop.AgainstScams.org

Scam Victim Self-Help Do-It-Yourself Recovery Books

SCARS Printed Books For Every Scam Survivor From SCARS Publishing

Visit shop.AgainstScams.org

Each is based on our SCARS Team’s 32-plus years of experience.

SCARS Website Visitors receive an Extra 10% Discount
Use Discount Code “romanacescamsnow” at Checkout

Always Report All Scams – Anywhere In The World To:

Go to reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how

U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS and SCARS at www.Anyscams.com
Visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn more!

FIND SCAMMER PHOTOS ON
ScammerPhotos.com

FIND SCARS ON FACEBOOK
CLICK HERE

Legal Disclaimer:

The content provided on this platform regarding psychological topics is intended solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The publisher makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. The content is designed to raise awareness about various psychological subjects, and readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and verify information independently.

The information presented does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any psychological disorder or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers are advised to seek the guidance of a licensed medical professional for any questions or concerns related to their mental health.

The publisher disclaims any responsibility for actions taken or not taken based on the content provided. The treatment of psychological issues is a serious matter, and readers should consult with qualified professionals to address their specific circumstances. The content on this platform is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a therapist-client relationship.

Interpretation and Definitions

Definitions

For the purposes of this Disclaimer:

  • Company (referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us” or “Our” in this Disclaimer) refers to Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (registered d.b.a. “SCARS”,) 9561 Fountainbleau Blvd., Suit 602, Miami FL 33172.
  • Service refers to the Website.
  • You means the individual accessing this website, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable.
  • Website refers to RomanceScamsNOW.com, accessible from https://romancescamsnow.com

Website Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.

The Company assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.

In no event shall the Company be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents on the Service at any time without prior notice.

The Company does not warrant this website in any way.

External Links Disclaimer

This website may contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with the Company.

Please note that the Company does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites.

Errors and Omissions Disclaimer

The information given by SCARS is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Even if the Company takes every precaution to ensure that the content of this website is both current and accurate, errors can occur. Plus, given the changing nature of laws, rules, and regulations, there may be delays, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information contained on this website.

SCARS is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.

Fair Use Disclaimer

SCARS may use copyrighted material that has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The Company is making such material available for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

The Company believes this constitutes a “fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the United States Copyright law.

If You wish to use copyrighted material from this website for your own purposes that go beyond fair use, You must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Views Expressed Disclaimer

The Service may contain views and opinions which are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other author, agency, organization, employer, or company, including SCARS.

Comments published by users are their sole responsibility and the users will take full responsibility, liability, and blame for any libel or litigation that results from something written in or as a direct result of something written in a comment. The Company is not liable for any comment published by users and reserves the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever.

No Responsibility Disclaimer

The information on the Service is provided with the understanding that the Company is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, medical or mental health, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal, medical or mental health, or other competent advisers.

In no event shall the Company, its team, board of directors, volunteers, or its suppliers be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with your access or use or inability to access or use the Service.

“Use at Your Own Risk” Disclaimer

All information on this website is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.

SCARS will not be liable to You or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information given by the Service or for any consequential, special, or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Disclaimer, You can contact Us:

  • By email: contact@AgainstScams.org

PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

  • Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
  • Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

SCARS IS A DIGITAL PUBLISHER AND DOES NOT OFFER HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE, LEGAL ADVICE, FINANCIAL ADVICE, OR SERVICES THAT SCARS IS NOT LICENSED OR REGISTERED TO PERFORM.

IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE FOLLOWING ANY MEDICALLY RELATED INFORMATION PRESENTED ON OUR PAGES.

ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY FOR ANY ADVICE REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS.

A LICENSED FINANCIAL OR TAX PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES OR TAX RELATED ISSUES AND INFORMATION.

SCARS IS NOT A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR – WE DO NOT PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES. ANY INVESTIGATIONS THAT SCARS MAY PERFORM IS NOT A SERVICE PROVIDED TO THIRD-PARTIES. INFORMATION REPORTED TO SCARS MAY BE FORWARDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS SCARS SEE FIT AND APPROPRIATE.

This content and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for licensed or regulated professional advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, lawyer, financial, or tax professional with any questions you may have regarding the educational information contained herein. SCARS makes no guarantees about the efficacy of information described on or in SCARS’ Content. The information contained is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible situations or effects. SCARS does not recommend or endorse any specific professional or care provider, product, service, or other information that may be mentioned in SCARS’ websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.

The disclaimers herein are provided on this page for ease of reference. These disclaimers supplement and are a part of SCARS’ website’s Terms of Use. 

All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2023 Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (Registered D.B.A SCARS) All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.

U.S. State of Florida Registration Nonprofit (Not for Profit) #N20000011978 [SCARS DBA Registered #G20000137918] – Learn more at www.AgainstScams.org

View the claimed and or registered indicia, service marks, and trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org

Share This Information - Choose Your Social Media!

Please Leave A Comment - Tell Us What You Think About This!