A shocking investigation by the BBC has uncovered a fraudulent cryptic pregnancy scheme preying on desperate Nigerian women, especially those in Anambra, South East Nigeria.
According to the report, scammers posing as medical professionals promise miracle fertility treatments, charging victims for fake drugs and procedures. These women are later given trafficked babies, falsely claimed to be their own.
For over a year, BBC Africa Eye , through senior BBC Journalist Chiagozie Nwonwu and his team, investigated the cryptic pregnancy scam.
Authorities report that women under pressure to conceive due to societal stigma are particularly vulnerable. Victims describe sedations, hallucinations, and even surgical scars to simulate childbirth. The scheme has spread online, with scammers luring victims through Facebook and WhatsApp groups, often using religious narratives.
According to the report, law enforcement is working to dismantle the networks involved, some of which have been linked to baby trafficking.
As the UN marks 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, this revelation pinpoints the urgent need for stronger protections for women against exploitation.
