Scammers exploit women in Nigeria through disturbing pregnancy fraud

In Anambra State, Nigeria, a disturbing scam has come to light where women are lured into the concept of 'miracle pregnancies' that last for 15 months. An investigation by BBC Africa Eye revealed that these women are subjected to deceptive practices that involve unconventional treatments administered by individuals posing as medical professionals. During these treatments, women receive injections and are given substances that cause physical changes, leading them to believe they are pregnant. The scammers isolate victims from conventional medical care, falsely claiming that medical tests will not detect the baby as it is allegedly growing outside the womb. The deception culminates in a delivery scenario where women are sedated and given trafficked babies, believing they have just given birth after their prolonged 'pregnancy.' This scam is intricately linked to baby trafficking networks; vulnerable, often pregnant women are manipulated into relinquishing their children, which are subsequently presented to unsuspecting victims in Anambra. Authorities have conducted raids in these facilities, revealing a network of horrendous exploitation and abuse of women seeking motherhood under desperate circumstances. Nigeria has one of the highest birth rates in the world, placing immense societal pressure on women to conceive. This exploitation has prompted urgent calls for action to dismantle the trafficking networks and protect vulnerable women in communities where the desperation for children can lead to their victimization.