Due to the growth of social media, young people are now experiencing a new phenomenon where they are exposed to a fictitious world of success and money. This is becoming very common in Africa, where many young people are drawn in by those who brag about their money on social media. This pattern is alarming since it seriously jeopardises Africa’s future.
The fake affluence people display on social media deceives many young people in Kenya and Africa. Influencers and con artists establish profiles that portray a life of wealth, complete with images of pricey vehicles, lavish homes, and far-flung trip places.
They promote the notion that success and wealth can be attained quickly and easily through activities like forex trading or cryptocurrency investment. Many folks who may be dealing with unemployment will find this message to be especially enticing.
This fake reality is problematic because it has sent young people down a perilous path. Many people have gotten into fraud and criminal activities to live the lifestyle they see on social media. The danger of this false reality is that it has led young people down a dangerous path. Many have become involved in scams and illegal activities to attain the lifestyle they see on social media.
The dangerous trend that harms many young people and puts families in debt is the false reality of money and achievement on social media. Authorities advise young people to be wary when promises of instant success and fortune are made and aware of these risks.
For instance, in Kenya, the government has come under fire for not generating enough jobs or providing tax breaks for young people starting their enterprises. Many criticized the Uhuru administration for what they saw as a failure to strive towards providing young people with possibilities to thrive through ethical and sustainable ways rather than through fraud and unlawful activity.
With so many examples being recorded in recent years, Africa has emerged as a new haven for con artists. Although there are numerous contributing variables, some of the most important ones are the expansion of social media, the absence of regulations, and the extreme levels of unemployment and poverty in many African nations.
The majority of the targets are West-based individuals and international corporations. But, the government’s silence on the subject is speaking louder than anything else.
As more people fall prey to fraudulent practices like investment and online dating, the prevalence of scams in Africa should cause considerable alarm. The scams continue to thrive despite requests to stop these unlawful operations, which raises concerns about why African governments seem hesitant to address the issue.
Allegations that some of the scammers are close friends and allies of government officials, while others are influential figures within the government itself, may be one reason why governments have remained mute on the issue. Scams are common in Africa for various reasons, including poverty, unemployment, and a lack of regulation. Nonetheless, it is impossible to ignore the government’s role in supporting these practices.
Due to their links with government officials, who allegedly turned a blind eye to their operations, it is often claimed that con artists can operate with impunity. This poses the question of whether senior and influential figures in the administration use their influence to support and shield their cronies in the criminal underworld.
The unwillingness of African governments to enact and implement legislation that would aid in reducing these activities is another indication of the lack of political will to address the problem of scams. There may occasionally be a fear of disrupting the existing quo or insulting influential figures in the administration. As a result, scams can spread quickly with little to no repercussions for the individuals involved.
The repercussions of this predicament are grave, not just for the scam victims but also for the development of African economies in the future. Investors and reliable companies will be reluctant to invest in African nations as long as frauds flourish, which would stifle economic progress and development.
The issue of scams must be addressed by African governments swiftly, particularly by establishing and enforcing legislation that will help to stop these operations. The future of Africa depends on this, which will require political will and a commitment to openness and accountability. (
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