What the Hack? Episode 223: Jackals of Trust: A Short History of Cybercrime
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Nov 4, 2025 In this riveting discussion, cybercrime expert Gary Warner sheds light on the dark transformation of Nigerian confraternities from idealistic campus groups into organized crime syndicates. He explains their unique rituals, including 'money blessings,' and the strategic use of trust to exploit victims. Warner also reveals the role of elite money launderers and the modern tactics scammers employ, such as Office 365 account takeovers and romance scams that prey on emotional vulnerability. Plus, he offers practical tips to protect against emerging cyber threats.
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Campus Groups Became Global Crime Networks
- West African confraternities began as idealistic university groups and evolved into transnational organized crime networks.
- They now run sophisticated fraud, romance scams, BEC, and laundering across Europe and North America.
Spiritual Rituals Fuel Criminal Confidence
- Confraternities combine spiritual practices with criminal aims, including 'money blessing' rituals to improve scam success.
- These beliefs and rituals are woven into identity and recruitment, reinforcing group cohesion and purpose.
Organized Structure And Tradecraft
- Confraternities have formal hierarchies, unique symbols, and coded greetings that identify members and enable prosecution.
- Roles like zone head, chief priest, and ihaza (money officer) structure operations and finances.
