A young Nigerian lady has sparked conversations on social media with her provocative stance on internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as ‘yahoo boys‘.
In a TikTok video shared via her handle @callme_naomie4, the lady argued that society is too quick to label yahoo boys as greedy and corrupt without considering the circumstances that drive them into fraud.
According to her, many of these young men once had genuine dreams but became frustrated by poverty, unemployment, and a system that she believes neglects the poor while glorifying wealth.
Broken dreams and desperation
She explained that some yahoo boys struggled through school with hopes of securing jobs and building stable lives, only to face limited opportunities. In such moments, she said, fraud begins to appear less like a crime and more like an escape.
“These guys are not born criminals but victims of a society that celebrates wealth and ignores the poor. The system put them in desperation. Yahoo is not about greed but broken dreams and silent pains. Do you know how it is to be 24 and still living in your family’s house without anything? You will feel useless for not providing,” she said.
Call for empathy
The TikToker urged Nigerians to view yahoo boys beyond their illegal activities, insisting they should be seen as human beings whose lives were once full of aspirations but are now shaped by frustration and a failed system.
“When we see a young man doing yahoo, let’s not see them as fraudsters but human beings; that’s a young man who once had dreams, feels trapped and a victim of a system that failed him,” she added.
Public reactions to justification for Yahoo Boys
maxvayshia reacted: “Anywhere i see a Tiktok video of a little Gen Z girl, I don’t bother listening. I scroll past. 99.72% of the time, it is nonsense. Can never be anything useful.”
Mr_DaveChigozie opined: “They are not victim of any society, they chose to make the decision of involving themselves into doing YAHOO. So whatever consequences that comes with it they deserve it. Flee from doing YAHOO and make a LEGITIMATE earnings for yourself.”
thekingoftruths stated: “Armed Robbers are not born criminals. Organ traffickers are not born criminals. Kidnappers are not born criminals. Yahoo boys are not born criminals. They are ALL victims of a society that celebrates wealth and ignores the poor. It’s about broken dreams and silent pains 🤡.”
Edgar_8585 wrote: “Crime is a mindset. It’s the reason some people also have broken dreams but they will rather work at a gas station than get involved in fraud. Criminality is a state of conscience and not a result of broken dreams.”
manlikeralph25 opined: “Well she’s speaking truth tho. And tbh I feel like they’ve contributed to the growth of the economy. Let’s be logical how many civil servants can afford the economy today be trustful.”
Watch the video below …
“Yahoo boys are not born criminals. They are victims of a society that celebrates wealth and ignores the poor. It’s about broken dreams and silent pains” – Lady insists pic.twitter.com/E0xw4poymi
— The Benin Blogger (@TheBeninBlogger) September 17, 2025