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We all pay when our compatriots repeatedly commit international fraud. Out of no where, my bank channels were closed about 2 weeks ago: card locked, app blocked, website password couldn’t log in. I started wondering if this had to do with my Naija passport. Thread.
This happened on a Friday evening. I could have been stranded if all I had was my UK bank card. But that wasn’t the issue. I just started thinking, “does this have anything to do with me being Nigerian?” “Did someone who paid into my account commit a fraud?” Different questions.
I wrote a note for my lawyer on how we’d sue the bank for discrimination. I was sure I did nothing wrong and if I did nothing wrong, it means the bank is unjustly targeting me. I called the Bank’s number, it claimed to no one to pick my call. Ah! Won ti fe get mi ni London.
I chilled till Monday. I was ready to go to the bank to show them how this was the wrong Nigerian to mess with. “Why didn’t you send me an email?” “Why didn’t I get notified” my head was asking many Naija PTSD induced questions. Lol.
Before leaving to the bank on Monday, I called again. May be e go better to do the madness for phone. If I go, make dem no arrest me before them realise say I no do anything. I connected this time.
After confirming my primary details, I was asked, “what’s the name of the person that sent you money on *** 2020”. I was like “ah, what did he do?” But I didn’t say that. I just calmly said his name. You have a standing order for *£, to what company?” I answered.
Then I was transferred to the “fraud unit”. Still on the phone. Fraud unit? This my small account 
. After about 30 minutes, it was now clear what the issue was. My account had been targeted by fraudsters and the bank shut down all channels to protect the account.
. After about 30 minutes, it was now clear what the issue was. My account had been targeted by fraudsters and the bank shut down all channels to protect the account.
During that same call, we reset everything and I had a new bank card sent to me 3 days later. But for the entire weekend, I was bordered with the sort of stress that wouldn’t have bordered me if I didn’t come from a country increasingly renowned for this sort of frauds.
Government corruption is one layer of challenge that affects you as a Nigerian. All these arrests of Nigerians being made by the FBI is another layer of challenge - global level - that we have to deal with as Nigerians. It affects even those with dual nationalities.
For every Nigerian arrested for BEC & other related crimes abroad, you’d need 100 Nigerians of Chimamanda Adichie, Wole Soyinka, Austin Okocha level of excellence to show “not all Nigerians”. If you are a fraudster, it wouldn’t bother you. But for legit Nigerians? It’s hell!
