At a time when social networks and dating platforms bring millions of people together, a much darker reality is growing rapidly: romance scams. This phenomenon has become a global criminal industry, causing enormous financial losses and deep psychological trauma every year.
Cyberfraudsters no longer target bank accounts alone; they now target emotions. Exploiting loneliness, trust and the desire for love or friendship, they create false identities and maintain virtual relationships for weeks or even months before requesting money under various pretexts: illness, an accident, an investment project, travel expenses, a blocked inheritance or a family emergency.
Africa is not only a victim of this phenomenon; it also faces transnational criminal networks using digital technologies to operate across continents. Young people, older people, professionals, entrepreneurs and even public figures can be deceived. No social position provides absolute protection against psychological manipulation.
The real danger is that these scams destroy not only financial assets but also lives, families and trust in human relationships. Shame often prevents victims from reporting the crime, allowing criminals to act with impunity.
Responses must match the seriousness of this threat. Public awareness must be strengthened, cybersecurity education included in schools and universities, security services trained in digital investigation, and international cooperation against cybercrime reinforced. Digital platforms should also be encouraged to improve their systems for detecting and removing fake profiles. Citizens should adopt simple precautions: verify the identity of the people they interact with, refuse to send money to someone they have never met in person, report suspicious profiles and systematically report attempted fraud.
Cybersecurity is no longer solely about technology; it has become a matter of protecting human dignity. In the digital world, vigilance is now the first defence against those who prey on emotions.
Dakar, 26 June 2026.