A Nigerian man who spent four years involved in Yahoo Yahoo, an internet fraud scheme, and cashed out only $100 has shared his story of how a bold decision to leave the lifestyle and pursue legitimate work transformed his life. Speaking to Pulse Nigeria, the man, who chose to remain anonymous, detailed his journey from 2020 to 2025, highlighting the struggles, the false hopes, and the eventual breakthrough through consistent effort on X (formerly Twitter).
A Four-Year Struggle with No Breakthrough
The man began his involvement in Yahoo in 2020, convinced it would be his way out of financial hardship. However, by 2022, he had not made a single dollar. He watched friends succeed at the same activities, with one friend buying an iPhone 12 by 2022, which intensified his frustration and self-doubt.
He started questioning if he was cursed, considering that perhaps he was not lucky because he was not using juju (traditional charms). In 2022, he added juju to his efforts, but still nothing changed. He borrowed money to perform what is called “soap,” hoping for a breakthrough, but the only money he ever managed to cash out was $100. He used this money to buy an iPhone 6, viewing it as the start of better things, but it turned out to be the last money he would make from the scam.
Depression, Comparison, and the Turning Point
As friends continued to make money and buy better phones, the man felt trapped and depressed. He started smoking to cope, but it did not solve his problems. He kept trying Yahoo, hoping for a change that never came. By August 2024, he had had enough and gave up, getting a 9-5 job.
He admitted that at the time, he did not see the decision as a major turning point, but it gave him the chance to think differently. He realized that changing his life was not about finding one magical way to make money, but about asking himself what he was good at and what people were willing to pay for.
Redefining Success and Building a New Path
The man noted that many people overlook viable sources of income because they do not look glamorous. He cited tailors, barbers, phone repairers, electricians, carpenters, and tilers as examples of professionals with valuable skills that can become serious income sources. He also mentioned digital work, such as learning a skill, building a portfolio, freelancing, creating content, or growing an audience.
Towards the end of 2025, he decided to take his X account seriously, focusing on building something that could grow over time. He became intentional, stayed consistent, grew his audience, and eventually got monetised. He now says he has gone further than almost all the friends he started Yahoo with.
Lessons Learned and the Real Question
Reflecting on his past, the man said he thought he was unlucky or cursed, but he realized he was simply on the wrong path. He wished he had understood earlier that changing your life does not always mean working harder at something that is not working. He advised that a career plan does not have to mean knowing exactly where you will be in 10 years; it can simply mean knowing what you want next, the skill you need to get there, and the steps you are willing to take.
He emphasized the importance of being honest enough to change the plan when reality tells you something is not working. For him, that meant leaving Yahoo, getting a 9-5, and eventually taking his online presence seriously. He concluded that failure is not always a sign that your life is going nowhere; sometimes, it is simply a sign that you need a new direction.
