Understanding the current threat of West African based cyber-crime, 13 October 2026
A unique insight into online scamming by perpetrators in Ghana and Nigeria who target victims in the UK and other high-income countries.
This comes at a time when Cyberfraud has become one of the most common crimes that people and organisations experience, with over 75 million adults per year falling victim.
Although there are scammers located all over the world, by far the most significant number, targeting high-income countries like the UK, are in the West African countries of Ghana and Nigeria.
Our workshop will look at contemporary issues, challenges and best practice around this specific form of online scamming and features findings from exclusive research conducted for the Home Office that maps the many factors behind widespread scam activity emanating from West Africa.
The findings are based on interviews with active fraudsters, law enforcement officials, government officials, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the two countries, as well as in victim countries.
The workshop aims to help enhance and develop the knowledge of investigators working in financial, cyber or serious and organised crime roles by providing unique insights from the research lead, Professor Mark Button.
We are delighted to welcome Professor Button from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Director of the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime at the University of Portsmouth to present the workshop and provide a contemporary snapshot of the key issues, challenges and best practice.
Professor Button is considered one of the leading authorities in fraud, wider economic crime and cyber. He will offer rare and original insights that could help inform investigations.
The workshop will include:
Session One: An introduction to West African based cyber-crime, current issues, the current scale of the problem including an assessment of the threat actors, their modus operandi and the victims they target.
Session Two: A consideration of factors driving and enabling individuals in Ghana and Nigeria to commit online fraud. A look at the cultural aspects including the fact that in some West African communities, involvement in internet fraud is considered normal and an acceptable vocation.
These include: Conformity, the rise of secretive groups called confraternities, issues around colonialism, increased corruption at the top of society that often rationalise committing fraud as well as issues around economic pressure, encouragement from parents for young people to engage in fraud and the fact that scammers actively use priests in their native religions not only to endorse their activities, but also to increase victim compliance.
Session Three: Considerations for investigations, in both prevention and investigations. We’ll look at the implications for investigations and provide some best practice for investigators who are working on such crimes. We’ll also look at how education and awareness can help prevention of future crimes.
• Held online Via Teams
• Certificates of CPD available.
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £219 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £259.50 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate
Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.
Student discount: We offer a 35% discount on all of our online events/workshops on condition of payment by card and a valid University email address.
Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.
Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.