Misleading Claims About Trump and Nigerian Internet Fraud
- Nigerian social media posts falsely claim Trump was scammed.
- The real victim was a donor supporting the Trump-Vance Committee.
- The scam involved impersonation, traced back to Nigeria.
- Economic report highlights increasing cybercrime rates in Nigeria.
- Official records clarify Trump was not directly defrauded.
Misleading Claims About Nigerian Fraud Activities
Amid widespread speculation on social media, a series of posts have emerged claiming that a Nigerian ‘Yahoo boy’ successfully scammed former President Donald Trump out of a staggering $250,000. These assertions, however, seem to be founded on misinformation. What actually happened was that an individual trying to donate to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee fell victim to an imposter, one that the FBI traced back to Nigeria. The widely circulated post, first seen on July 4, 2025, features a quote stating, “A Yahoo boy scammed a whole Donald Trump, the President of the US 250,000 dollars. Some of you are really audacious.” This post was shared over 3,000 times and has sparked a flurry of comments, suggesting that many readers believed the claim without questioning its authenticity.
No Direct Victimization of Trump
This incident draws attention to the persistent issues of internet fraud in Nigeria. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission reported an alarming trend in which cybercrime, including advance fee fraud and money laundering, constituted the top offenses in a record year of over 4,100 convictions in 2024. With around 70% of Nigeria’s population being under 30, it’s a demographic that, unfortunately, often finds itself entangled in these fraudulent schemes. Notably, Nigerian influencer Ramon Olorunwa Abbas was sentenced to 11 years in prison in the U.S. in 2022 for his role in laundering tens of millions through online fraud, underscoring the high-profile nature of this crime.
FBI Investigation and Misinformation
In examining the facts, official records from the United States Department of Justice clarify that the recent $250,300 cryptocurrency scam did not target Donald Trump directly. Instead, the funds were diverted from a donor intending to support the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. Scammers impersonated Steve Witkoff, who is the co-chair of the committee. The fraudulent operation included emails sent from a domain that cleverly resembled the official inaugural address, utilizing a lowercase “L” in place of an “i.” This deceptive tactic allowed the scammers to solicit cryptocurrency, resulting in over $250,000 being transferred. Once the funds were sent, they were rapidly shuffled across various cryptocurrency wallets, one of which is a Binance account linked to a Nigerian named Ehiremen Aigbokhan.
Increasing Concerns Over Misinformation
Prosecutors revealed that Aigbokhan may have gained international funds due to this fraudulent scheme, activating the DOJ into motion. Subsequently, the FBI was able to seize over 40,000 USDT.ETH, which authorities suspect originated from the crime, with nearly half coming from Aigbokhan’s own accounts. As this story unfolds, it has received coverage from international outlets like The Independent UK and Fortune, bringing additional clarity to the situation and highlighting the complexities involved. This goes to show how media presentations can sometimes mislead, as some Nigerian headlines, like “How Lagos Yahoo Boy duped U.S. President Donald Trump of 2025 inauguration funds” fail to convey the true nature of the incident, potentially confusing many readers.
In summary, while the tale of a Nigerian yahoo boy fraudulently obtaining funds from Donald Trump has circulated widely, it is critical to understand that the reality is far more complex and not as straightforward. The truth reveals that the victim was a donor seeking to support an inaugural fund, and the scheme involved impersonation rather than direct involvement with Trump. Heightened vigilance against misinformation remains important, especially in today’s fast-paced media environment.
