The Rise of Online Fraudsters Exploiting Vulnerable Users
A recent TikTok video features a young man flaunting a stack of $100 bills, while another shows off designer clothing and a heavy gold chain. These individuals promote their supposed paths to wealth to an eager audience.
One caption read, “BM got me a new car,” claiming to have made “$5,000 in just a few hours.”
Unlike traditional influencers who share travel or recipes, these online figures are marketing crime. Based in Nigeria, they engage in schemes that target users, primarily in the US and Western nations, often involving manipulative tactics and the distribution of explicit photos.
The threats escalate, as they begin sharing victims’ images alongside demands for money.
Known as the “BM Boys,” short for “horrifying mail,” these scammers boast thousands of followers on TikTok, showcasing their lavish lifestyles and enticing other young men to join their scams.
One follower even commented, “Please tell me the boss,” expressing a mix of admiration and curiosity about their illicit activities.
Some accounts have amassed hundreds of thousands of followers. The Guardian identified 22 TikTok accounts run by self-proclaimed BM Boys and spoke with a 24-year-old Nigerian man who claims to have earned nearly $100,000 from his fraudulent activities over the past eight years.
“It’s easy for me,” he stated anonymously, emphasizing the necessity of working to survive.
Targeting Vulnerable Individuals
The primary demographic for these schemes appears to be teenage boys, particularly in the United States. In 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported a drastic spike in financial sextortion cases involving minors, with incidents rising from 10,731 in 2022 to 26,718. Tragically, at least 46 American teens have taken their own lives since 2021 after falling victim to these threats.
In 2024, Meta reported removing 63,000 Instagram accounts linked to these types of scams. However, experts indicate that social media platforms like Instagram remain a space where these scammers operate and find new targets, while TikTok showcases their apparent success and lures in newcomers.
“Others are drawn to this scam because they see how profitable it can be,” remarked Paul Rafil, an expert on online exploitation. “They flaunt money and luxury, using their influencer status to attract new participants.”
Often, established scammers recruit new operatives, who create fake social media profiles to initiate contact with potential victims. When it comes to handling financial transactions, however, the more experienced scammers take charge.
A TikTok spokesperson emphasized that the platform is designed to be safe, stating, “We don’t tolerate any content that promotes sextortion, as it could harm teens.”
Building Trust and Providing Guidance
A crucial element of their tactics involves gaining trust by engaging targets with profiles of attractive individuals who seem relatable. Some BM Boys even post “BM Updates” on TikTok, offering tips and tricks to aspiring scammers.
“Millions want to get involved,” said one scammer focused on educating his followers on exploitation techniques.
These updates often include replicated scripts, images to use, and tutorials on maintaining anonymity online. They also provide resources on how to manipulate potential victims into compromising situations, leveraging tactics like “bombing” to infiltrate particular online communities.
To increase their credibility, BM Boys closely track American pop culture and current events, enhancing their ability to appear more relatable to potential victims.
In numerous attempts, scammers refine their methods to effectively entice individuals into risky scenarios. Initially, they may exchange stolen explicit photos, urging victims to pay between $500 and $3,000 to avoid having their images shared.
“Sometimes, I call them, letting them know they’re about to see their images on a news broadcast,” one scammer admitted, displaying a lack of remorse.
Consequences and Lack of Regret
The impact of these scams is profound. An interviewed scammer expressed skepticism about reports of suicides linked to his actions, suggesting that they aren’t the sole reason for such tragedies.
He recounted a difficult childhood, stating, “I have to survive,” indicating a disconnect from the emotional toll of his actions.
This lack of empathy is particularly heartbreaking for families like that of John Demay, whose son, Jordan, took his life at 17 after being targeted by Nigerian men online. Two perpetrators received significant prison sentences but continued to exploit individuals without remorse.
Experts emphasize the need for stronger protections for minors on social media. “Young people are often more impulsive and vulnerable,” they assert, highlighting the responsibility of platforms to intervene more aggressively.
Meta has implemented changes in recent years, including alerting teenagers when communicating with individuals from abroad and blurring explicit images sent by minors. However, families argue that more stringent measures, such as restricting follower lists even for approved followers, could further enhance safety.
John Demay stressed that social media companies possess the ability to enact necessary safeguards but often neglect to do so.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, numerous resources are available for support, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and various organizations dedicated to assisting individuals in need.
