‘Pregnant’ for 15 Months: Inside Nigeria’sDisturbing Fertility Scam Network

A recently uncovered scam from Nigeria’s Anambra state has some women falling preyto “cryptic pregnancy” con. BBC investigation has revealed that there are artist whoimpersonates doctors and offer women a chance to conceive a child through treatmentsthat cost hundreds of dollars. Taking cultural aspects into consideration, Nigerianwomen especially the young ones are under tremendous pressure of childbearing andany failure to do this leads to stigmatization of Their scams.The focus of this research is Chioma, who feigned carrying her baby Hope for 15months. Settling down beside her husband Ike in a state official’s office, she proudlyasserts her right to keep their child though her family does not believe her. The hoaxusually starts with an injection or a vaginal insertion of unknown substances, whichcosts about 350,000 naira ($205). Women are strictly warned not to go to so-calledconventional hospitals because the scammers say that traditional pregnancy testscannot pick their “special” pregnancies.The victims are later informed that they require some “special, noble, rare drugs” fordelivery which range from one to two million naira ($180-$380). These fraudulentdeliveries are usually conducted under anesthesia or under some form of hallucinationwhere women are given so-called babies they have borne. The investigation showssome women get physical symptoms such as bloated stomachs, which makes thembelieve more in the pregnancy.Reporters used undercover to get to “Dr Ruth” who practices at a substandard hotel inIhiala. The clinic is filled with women with protruding bellies who are seeking to be‘treated’ and receive such impossible guarantees as gender selection. These impostersmake all sorts of fake ultrasound displays and even fake heartbeats, thus making theirvictims fall prey due to desperation and cultural force. The fraudulent scheme goes upto follow-on treatments which are even more expensive than the initial ones withassertions that pregnancies could go beyond nine months without the so-called deliverydrugs.