You sent the money, the "agent" stopped replying, and now you're staring at a transfer receipt. The first hour matters more than most people think, and what you do in it decides whether you have a case or only a story. This guide walks you through what to do in the first hour, the first day and the first month after a scam, and how to avoid being scammed a second time by "recovery" agents.
A recent news item shows why reporting matters. Newsmakers and Tori News reported that a woman was in EFCC custody and facing court over an alleged ₦31m Canada visa fraud. Those are allegations as reported by the outlets, not findings, and we have no further details of the case. The point for you is simple: visa and travel fraud reaches the courts when victims keep records and report.
The first hour: stop the damage
Do these in order. Speed helps, but do not panic-send more money to "fix" the problem.
- Stop all further payments. Scammers often follow a first payment with "clearance fees", "release fees" or "tax". Each one is a new loss.
- Screenshot everything now. Chats, profile pages, phone numbers, account numbers, ads, emails with full headers, and the transfer receipt. Scammers delete accounts quickly.
- Call your bank or fintech app. Use the number on your card, the official app or the official website, not a number sent to you in chat. Give the transaction reference, amount, time and the receiving account details.
- Ask for a dispute or fraud ticket number. Write it down with the name of the person you spoke to.
- Secure your accounts. If you shared a password, OTP, card details or BVN, change passwords, block the card and tell the bank. Check that your SIM still works; sudden loss of network can signal a SIM swap.
Where to report, and what each place can do
No single agency fixes everything. Report to several, because each does something different.
| Where | Best for | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank or fintech | Trying to freeze or trace the transfer, blocking a card, disputing a debit | Receipt, reference number, recipient details, timeline |
| EFCC (efcc.gov.ng) | Financial fraud, advance-fee and investment scams, visa and job fraud | Written petition, evidence, ID, your account statement |
| Police (including cybercrime units) | Impersonation, threats, hacking, local fraud where you can name a suspect | Same evidence, plus a police report for the bank |
| CBN consumer channels | Unresolved complaints against a bank or licensed payment provider | Proof you complained to the bank first, and its response |
| The platform (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, OLX and similar) | Taking down the scammer's profile or listing | Profile links and screenshots |
| Your telco | SIM swap, or numbers used to harass you | Phone numbers, dates, SIM registration details |
Check each agency's official website or verified social pages for current reporting email addresses, forms and office locations. Do not rely on numbers shared in comment sections, which are frequently fake "recovery" contacts.
How to write a petition that gets read
A clear, short petition gets further than a long emotional one. Keep it to one or two pages and use this structure.
- Your details: full name, phone, email, address, and a valid ID reference.
- Who you are reporting: every name, phone number, account number, bank, username and website the scammer used. Say "the person who identified himself as..." instead of making accusations you can't prove.
- Timeline: date by date, what was promised, what you paid, how, and what happened next.
- Total loss: list each payment with date, amount and reference.
- Attachments: number them and refer to them in the text ("see Attachment 3").
- What you want: investigation, tracing of the account, and recovery where possible.
Keep a copy and note the date you submitted. Follow up politely every couple of weeks and always quote your reference number.
A hypothetical example
Suppose Ada pays ₦450,000 in two transfers to a "consultant" who promised a work visa. The consultant blocks her on the second day. This is how she might handle it, with invented numbers.
- Within the hour, she screenshots the chat and the Instagram page, and phones her bank to report both transfers.
- That evening, she downloads her statement showing ₦300,000 on one date and ₦150,000 on another, each with a reference.
- Within three days, she files a petition with the EFCC and a police report, and reports the page to the platform.
- She also messages two other people who commented on the ad, because shared complaints show a pattern. She does not pay a stranger who offers to "get her money back."
She may not recover the full amount. But her evidence is organized, the receiving account may be flagged, and she has a paper trail for the bank. That is what a good response looks like. For this particular scam type, see our guide on how to spot a fake visa agent.
Recovery scams: the second hit
After a loss, victims often get messages from people claiming to be EFCC officers, lawyers, hackers or "blockchain recovery experts". They ask for an upfront fee to release your money. Treat this as a red flag.
- Official agencies do not ask you to pay to open an investigation or to "release" recovered funds.
- Anyone who contacts you first about your loss, especially on WhatsApp or Telegram, is suspect.
- Guaranteed recovery, "insider access" or a percentage-up-front fee are warning signs.
- If you are unsure, go to the agency's official website and use the contact details published there.
Special cases
Bank transfer or POS scams
Report to the bank immediately and ask whether the receiving account can be restricted. Timing helps, because money is often moved on quickly. Keep the POS receipt and the agent's location if the scam happened at a terminal.
SIM swap or account takeover
Contact your bank and your telco together. Ask the bank to block digital channels, then change email and app passwords from a safe device. Request a statement so you can list unauthorised debits.
Crypto losses
Save wallet addresses, transaction hashes and the exchange used. Report to the exchange, because some can flag or freeze accounts that receive stolen funds. Our P2P trading safety guide explains how to reduce risk before you trade.
Fake job offers
Keep the offer letter, emails and any payment instructions. Our post on fake remote job offers lists the signs.
Land fraud
Vanguard reported that lawyers pledged legal aid to Abuja land fraud victims and called for petitions. If you've lost money on land, keep every receipt, survey plan, and agreement, and consult a licensed lawyer before paying anyone else. Verify titles through the relevant land registry.
If you live outside Nigeria
Report to your local police or national fraud portal as well, and to the platform. Ghana, Kenya and South Africa each have their own police cybercrime units and banking ombudsman-style complaint routes; check the official sites for current procedures. If the scammer is Nigerian-based, a Nigerian petition can still be filed by email or through a relative.
Common mistakes that weaken your case
- Deleting the chat out of embarrassment.
- Paying "one last fee" to get your money back.
- Reporting only on social media and not to an agency.
- Handwritten, vague complaints with no account numbers or dates.
- Waiting weeks before telling the bank.
- Posting your BVN, NIN or full card details publicly while seeking help.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back?
Sometimes, but nobody can promise it. Recovery is likelier when you report fast, the funds are still in a traceable account and you have complete records.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not to file a petition. For large losses, land disputes or contracts, a licensed lawyer is worth the cost. Confirm they are registered; ask for their enrolment details.
Is it embarrassing to report?
Many educated, careful people have been caught. Your report may help stop the next victim.
What if I only lost a small amount?
Report anyway. Small complaints combine into patterns that agencies and banks can act on.
Your next step
Do one thing today, before you need it: create a folder on your phone called "Money records" and save your bank's official fraud line from its website. If you've already been scammed, start with the first-hour checklist above and write your timeline tonight while you still remember the details.
Source: Canada Visa Scam: Woman Lands in EFCC Custody over Alleged ₦31m, Dollar, Euro Fraud (Newsmakers)
This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Prices, rates and rules change quickly, so check current details before making money decisions.