Format Boy serves as an illegal advisor to a social of menacing West African swindlers known as the Internet Lads as he styles himself on YouTube, Telegram, Instagram, and X, where he has amassed thousands of followers and racked up hundreds of thousands of thousands of views.
These cybercriminals usually use their life savings to connel wealthy foreigners, generally Americans, using their phones or laptops. Some people have begun enhancing their rifts with deepfakes and face-swapping. Internet Boys recently posted false CNN broadcasts featuring AI-generated newscasters to deceive viewers into believing they’ve been exposed on the news.
Internet Kids, who frequently have bases in Nigeria, develop complex relationships with their victims before obtaining any funds. They are efficient and skilled social engineers, despite not having the most advanced scam skills. In recent years, subjects in the US, the UK, and elsewhere have lost thousands to Yahoo Boys, and several young boys have apparently taken their own lives after being sextorted and blackmailed by them.
Yahoo Boys have their own terminology, a kind of code, that aids in the running of scams ( and possibly avoiding social media moderation teams ). Victims are referred to as” clients.” During “bombing,” one must text thousands of online transactions to see if someone answers. Scams are referred to as “formats” ( hence the name Format Boy ). Additionally, there are styles available for all situations. In imitation scams, police and FBI officials are duped, and Elon Musk formats believe to be the centilionaire. There are gift cards scams, investment scams, and the list goes on and on. Numerous scripts that can be copied and pasted directly onto a target fly around the web. One of the “50 Questions to Ask Your Client as a Facebook Boy” is a title.
The Internet Boys are surrounded by a complete hustle culture. They pose in high-end vehicles and sport intricate jewelry. On social media, hundreds of pages and organizations, frequently using” Yahoo” in their titles, claim to coach visitors, teach them the techniques to con persons, and give them the resources to do so.
One of these “scamfluencers” is Format Boy, who is one of the more important or at least recognizable; cybersecurity researchers who track the Yahoo Boys frequently flag his posts.
At the beginning of his most well-known YouTube videos, Format Boy states,” I’m going to become teaching you people exactly how to make a false picture visit in this picture.” As a algorithmic film call is made onscreen, spectacular music plays. Its simple text message states that it is only for informative purposes. In fact, six of Format Boy’s most well-known films feature deepfakes, with people describing how Ask Boy scams operate. He states in a voice note on Telegram that “fake video calls are very significant.” Maybe your customers can transfer some details to you without seeing you physically or recording yourself.
Format Boy began his work in 2019 by spamming prospective clients on dating sites with a low telephone. From there, he entered the software, tools, and manuals industry, where he would teach people how to use his techniques. Format Boy, however, quickly distances himself from scamming on the phone with me. He repeatedly repeats the statement,” It’s not something I definitely do personally,” despite the fact that he acknowledges he has at least some hands-on knowledge. He claims that at some point, he said,” I started doing it, and finally I stopped,” and I started doing it. I then began researching AI and video processing.
He claims that YouTube has removed his channel over the past three decades, resetting his disciple rely on each situation. When confronted, he acknowledges that his website content could encourage criminal behavior. ” I didn’t tell a lie to you. That’s the reality, he claims, and it’s encouraging them. He is most effective on his Telegram route, where he often sends his 15, 000 subscribers messages and rambling voice notes, some of which can be up to nine minutes long. His comments include suggestions and offers for AI applications that Facebook Boys can use to alter their look on video calls with possible victims, as well as tips on how to build up confidence with a” customer” to gain access to their bank accounts. He mentions a Valentine’s Day promotional offer on this deepfake software in one post, which was reduced from 60, 000 Nigerian Naira ( roughly$ 38 ) to 15, 000 ($$ 9.50 ).
Format Boy is contacted by me to inquire how he feels about the victims of Yahoo Boys. He emphasizes the importance of his professional restraint. Because I believe this is not the normal thing to do, he says,” I don’t teach them everything, even if they pay for it.” He adds that many people in Nigeria feel that the government is not helping them much. ” I teach because I want them to know that they can try something different for a while even when things are bad.”
Format Boy has a hopeful voice in many of his voice notes on Telegram. He claims that time is running out. Scammers require “determination” in order to succeed. ” If you don’t plan well, you will fail well.” He declares in a single voice note,” If you plan well, you will succeed well.” In another sentence, he states,” I am not trying to play teacher when I am giving you guys assignments.” I’m attempting to take you to your next level.
Like any influencer, Format Boy is subject to the fluctuations of the algorithm. He has pleaded for more engagement with his YouTube videos over the years. He claimed in voice notes from December 2023 that someone was online pretending to be Format Boy and had created false accounts. He stated in another from early 2024 that he felt that the stress on YouTube, all these platforms, is too great. I’m leaving now. He was back posting three days after quitting. He’s recently been making plans for his new business. His most recent action, he claims, is trading memecoins.
