Lukman Abdulmalik
In the busy Jaba community, East of Sabon Gari, a section of Fagge Local Government area in Kano, a quiet threat has been brewing for years, hidden behind closed doors and the promise of quick wealth. Here, offline classes teach young people the skills of cybercrime.
Unlike online fraud rings often highlighted in the news, these classes take place in physical spaces, such as rented rooms and private homes, where mentors guide eager students on how to trick unsuspecting victims.
A key center for these operations is a house known as Gidan Komai da Ruwana, an unremarkable building in Jaba.
Here, the classes function almost like a formal school, but instead of math or literature, students learn manipulation, deception, and financial exploitation.
Stallion Times’ investigation reveals a troubling mix of deception, peer pressure, and misguided ambition, driven by economic hardship and the desire for quick money, which has contributed to the growing number of cybercriminals, many of them are just entering adulthood.
Unlike typical online-only scams, these schemes operated through physical classes that provided face-to-face instruction, homework, and structured guidance.
Mentors trained participants in techniques such as phishing, social engineering, and the creation of fake social media profiles, before assigning them their first “practice” victims.
Hashim Usman: A Personal Story of Temptation and Consequences
Hashim Usman, 22, sits in a small, dim room in Jaba, fidgeting as he shares how he got caught up in Kano’s offline cybercrime scene.
He admitted to defrauding numerous people on the streets of Kano, estimating that he had victimized over 100 individuals.
“I didn’t want to steal at first,” Usman admits, his voice filled with regret.
“I was curious. I saw friends making money from their phones, sending emails, manipulating transfers and thought, maybe this is my chance too.”
Umar first learned about offline cybercrime from a childhood friend, who promised him mentorship and easy cash.
“The first time I scammed someone, it was just N10,000,” he confesses.
“I have made over N16,000,000 from defrauding people.
“I recall scamming one Alhaji in Nasarawa G.R.A. for N5,800,000 and another individual for N3,263,000.”
“It felt powerful, like I had control. But later, I realized the pain I had caused people I would never meet.”
Usman recalls the environment: “There’s a schedule, there are lessons, and even homework.
“We practiced sending fake emails, creating fraudulent accounts, and simulating business deals. It felt like a criminal academy.”
The Victims of Kano’s Scam Classes
While the people committing these scams often see themselves as savvy or entrepreneurial, the victims are real individuals suffering real losses.
Maimuna Bello, a shop owner and crypto trader in Kano, lost over N550,000 after responding to a phishing email.
“They made it look so real,” she says, her voice heavy with frustration.
“I trusted them, and they took everything. I didn’t even know what hit me.”
Another victim, Musa Ibrahim, a 25-year-old graduate, fell for a fake investment scheme promising high returns.
“I thought I was building my future,” Musa recalls.
“I transferred my savings, and when I asked for my money back, it was gone. I realized I had been scammed.”
Some victims are more vulnerable than others.
Elderly residents and small business owners, who know less about digital transactions, have become frequent targets.
The emotional impact is significant, with many victims reporting anxiety, depression, and a loss of trust in both online and offline business interactions.
How the Classes Operate
What makes these classes especially dangerous is that they operate offline.
Unlike online fraud rings that can be tracked, these groups meet in various homes, constantly moving to stay under the radar.
Gidan Komai da Ruwana is one of many such locations, but law enforcement officials who spoke on anonymity said there is no single hub.
Inside the classes, the curriculum is relatively structured.
Mentors assign students tasks, teach psychological manipulation, and even create real-world scamming scenarios.
“We learned how to approach people, get their trust, and convince them to send money or share sensitive information.
“They even showed us how to cover our tracks from burner phones to fake emails and social media accounts.”
“Payments for lessons often come as a share of the initial scams, leading to a continuous cycle.
“Recruits are led to believe that scamming is a valid way to achieve financial independence, which is a dangerous idea that attracts jobless, underemployed, and curious youths in Kano,” Usman narrated.
What the law says
Based on publicly available sources, at least 66 suspected internet fraudsters have been reported arrested in Kano between 2021 and 2025 in major EFCC-led operations.
However, because of limited, fragmented reporting and likely unreported or lower-profile arrests, the true figure could be significantly higher.
Isah Abdulazeez Umar Esq., of Abu Ruqqayya Legal Consultants, noted that “Cybercrime is punishable under the Nigerian Cybercrime Act of 2015, and other sections of the Criminal Code.
“We are committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting offenders. But the challenge is that these classes are decentralized and constantly moving.
“The legal framework in Nigeria makes both the act of scamming and the facilitation of cybercrime illegal.
“Mentors running offline classes can be charged with conspiracy, fraud, and cybercrime-related offenses.
“Reports indicate that many classes operate unnoticed until a victim files a complaint or an informant steps forward,” he disclosed.
The Human Cost and Struggle for Redemption
For Hashim Usman, the personal cost has been huge. “I have lost friends, trust, and a part of myself,” he said remorsefully.
“Some of the people I scammed were struggling to feed their families. I see them in my dreams. I want out, but it’s not easy to leave once you are in.”
Rehabilitation programs are emerging as important interventions.
Authorities and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are working to help young offenders reintegrate into society, offering counseling, job training, and mentorship for legal work.
Usman, participating in one such program, hopes to become a voice against scamming.
“I want to help young people avoid the mistakes I made,” he says.
Experts stress that preventing offline cybercrime means addressing the underlying social and economic issues.
“Many of these youths turn to scamming because they see no other opportunity,” says Dr. Amina Yusuf, a criminologist in B.U.K.
“If we provide education, jobs, and mentorship, we can reduce the appeal of these classes.”
The Bigger Picture
Kano’s offline scam schools highlight a larger issue: cybercrime isn’t just a digital problem.
It thrives in areas where poverty, unemployment, and peer pressure come together.
By moving offline, fraudsters take advantage of gaps in law enforcement, social awareness, and digital literacy.
From victims’ narratives, Stallion Times observed that the mobility of these scammers means the problem continues, as they do not have a permanent base.
One day it’s a rented house, the next day it’s someone’s apartment. They are very adaptable.
Despite the challenges, the personal stories of both perpetrators like Usman and victims like Aisha and Musa show the real cost of these underground operations.
Each scam leaves behind not just financial loss but emotional scars, shaking trust and lives.
The tale of Kano’s offline scam schools serves as a warning about ambition gone wrong, peer influence, and systemic weaknesses.
For every young man like Usman, there are many victims and a law enforcement system struggling to keep up with ever-changing methods of fraud.
As Hashim reflects, “I hope my story serves as a warning.
“Scamming might seem like easy money, but it destroys lives both for others and for yourself.”
EFCC responded
Idris Isiyaku, Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano, speaking on behalf of the Director of the Kano Zonal Command, disclosed that between 2023 and 2025, the Command has publicly recorded the arrest of over 70 suspected internet fraudsters.
He added that the Kano Command has also made several arrests related to other basic fraud offences.
Responding to the offline scamming pattern, “some of these groups operate quietly from rented apartments and frequently change locations, making them difficult to track.
“We are now prioritising the masterminds who recruit and train others. They face stiffer charges as facilitators of organised fraud.”
“The Kano Zonal Command has recorded several cybercrime arrests now before the courts, following investigation and recovery of proceeds where possible.”
“Prevention remains essential. We are engaging schools, communities, and faith leaders to discourage youths from embracing fraud
“Many offenders are young and influenced by peers.
“Through partners, we support counselling and legal skills training to reduce re-offending while ensuring accountability,” the commission added.
This report was published with support from Civic Media Lab
