MARATTO

article · Journal of Economic Criminology

Strategic business movements? The migration of online romance fraudsters from Nigeria to Ghana

202512 citationsOpen accessUniversity of the Western Cape

Abstract

This study used an emic approach to examine the dynamics of online romance fraud, focusing on the migration of offenders from Nigeria to Ghana. We collected data through qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Ghanaian police officers and Nigerian law enforcement officers were consulted for their perspectives. Thematic analysis revealed key findings, including the migration patterns of Nigerian offenders to Ghana and the institutionalisation of scamming enterprises. These findings shed light on the transnational and structural factors driving online romance fraud in West Africa, highlighting both its global reach and the local mechanisms sustaining these criminal networks. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of regional and international cybercrime dynamics, offering valuable insights to inform policy and law enforcement strategies.

Research topics

  • Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies
  • Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance
  • Spam and Phishing Detection

Read the original research

This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100128

Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.

Discussion

Discuss this research

Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.

No discussion yet. Open the first thread.