Scam safety
Romance Scams and Nigerian Students
Romance scams target emotion, trust, urgency, and secrecy. Nigerian students should be especially careful when a new online romantic contact asks for money, investment participation, verification codes, private images, bank details, or secrecy before trust has been built.
Published by The College Date Editorial Team on . Updated .
Common warning signs
Be cautious with fake emergencies, urgent transport requests, medical stories, school-fee pressure, crypto or investment opportunities, requests for OTPs, refusal to video call safely, stolen photos, and stories that become more dramatic when you hesitate.
Scammers often try to move conversations away from the original platform quickly, isolate the victim from friends, and make the request feel private or shameful.
Private-image and sextortion pressure
Never send intimate images because someone pressures, flatters, threatens, or promises commitment. If someone threatens to share private images, stop negotiating, preserve evidence, block where safe, and seek trusted support.
Nigeria-specific cyber safety advisories have warned about sextortion through social and dating platforms. The safest guidance is to avoid sending private images to people you do not deeply trust.
How to respond safely
Do not send more money or codes. Screenshot usernames, messages, payment details, phone numbers, links, and threats. Contact your bank or payment provider quickly if money or card information is involved.
Use platform support channels where available. For cybercrime concerns in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre provides an e-reporting portal.
How The College Date users should think about scams
The College Date can provide student context and support routes, but users still need scam awareness. Treat any money request from a new match as a serious warning sign.
Read the privacy guide next so you know which details should stay off dating profiles and chats.
Sources and Further Reading
- What To Know About Romance Scams - Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice
- Romance Scams - Federal Bureau of Investigation
- NPF-NCCC E-Reporting Portal - Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre
- Critical Surge in Sextortion Attacks Targeting Nigerian Individuals - Nigerian Communications Commission Computer Security Incident Response Team
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a romance scam?
It is a deception where someone uses romantic interest or emotional trust to get money, private information, account access, or compromising material.
Should I send money to someone I met on a dating app?
No. Treat money requests from online-only romantic contacts as a major warning sign.
What should I do if I already sent money or codes?
Preserve evidence, contact the relevant financial or account provider quickly, use platform support, and consider official cybercrime reporting routes.
Read What Not to Share
Protect your accounts, documents, money, and privacy before a scammer asks.
Read What Not to Share