Gay Format for Yahoo Exposed After FG Arrest Reveals Updates

Abuja, Nigeria – May 26, 2025 – A suspected internet fraudster, identified as Muktar Lawal, has been arrested by operatives of the Federal Government’s cybercrime unit in Abuja after a sting operation exposed a sophisticated gay yahoo format used for billing clients online.

Muktar, a 27-year-old from Kano State, was apprehended at a shortlet apartment in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja, where he had reportedly been operating under several identities on dating sites. During his interrogation, Muktar said he used the gay format to bill clients, mostly foreigners and even wealthy Nigerians, by pretending to be a rich, charming gay man looking for love.

According to investigators, Muktar revealed all the steps he and his syndicate used to bill clients:

Muktar admitted to using photos of attractive men, often taken from foreign Instagram accounts, to create fake profiles on dating apps such as Grindr, Tinder, and even on Facebook and Instagram. These profiles were crafted to appear wealthy and emotionally available.

He would begin by chatting with the target, acting affectionate, romantic, and emotionally invested. Within days, he’d ask them to move the conversation to WhatsApp, where things would become more appealing.

To deepen the relationship, Muktar sent suggestive images, often downloaded or AI-edited photos pretending to be pictures of himself. He encouraged clients to do the same. Some of these images were later used as blackmail tools.

Once emotional trust was established, the yahoo format moved to its financial stage. Muktar would come up with emergencies like a broken phone, being stranded in a hotel, or needing money for travel, visa, or medical treatment. These stories, he said “were aimed at triggering sympathy and fast money transfers.”

To seem credible, he shared edited screenshots of bank transfers, parcel shipments, or expensive gifts supposedly on the way. Victims were told they only needed to pay a small “customs” or “delivery fee” to receive the gift or money.

Once the first payment was made, the gay billing format didn’t stop. Muktar revealed they had a list of follow-up lies ready to keep extracting money: sudden emergencies, customs problems, hospital bills, or even fake kidnappings. If victims hesitated, emotional manipulation or outright blackmail followed.

After collecting as much as possible, Muktar would block the victim on all platforms. In some cases, he recycled the same scam with a new name and photo, targeting someone else.

An official from the cybercrime task force stated:

“This format is particularly disturbing because it exploits the vulnerabilities of people looking for emotional connections. The suspect has confessed to defrauding both Nigerians and foreigners of millions of naira.”

Authorities are now expanding their investigation to track down other updates connected to Muktar’s gay billing.

The Federal Government is warning the public to stay alert, especially on dating apps, and to avoid sending money or explicit photos to people they’ve never met in person.