Inside Nigeria's 'miracle pregnancy' scam where woman claimed to be 'pregnant for 15 months'

To maintain the illusion, women are warned against seeking medical attention.

An investigation by BBC Africa Eye has uncovered a disturbing fertility scam operating in Anambra State, Nigeria. The scam involves a network of fraudulent clinics that exploit desperate women with promises of miracle fertility treatments, only to subject them to false pregnancies and baby trafficking.

The scammers, often posing as medical professionals, lure women with promises of miracle cures. These fraudulent treatments, involving mysterious injections or concoctions, lead to swollen bellies, mimicking the appearance of pregnancy. Women are then convinced that they are carrying a child, despite the lack of any genuine medical evidence.

To maintain the illusion, women are warned against seeking medical attention. They are told that traditional medical tests would not detect the pregnancy, as the scammers claim the fetus is developing outside the womb. This psychological manipulation keeps victims trapped in the cycle of deception.

One woman, named Chioma, claimed to have "carried" a child for 15 months.

When the time comes for the "delivery," women are told that they need to pay additional fees for "special drugs" to induce labor. Once sedated, they wake up to find themselves without a baby and a surgical scar. The stolen infants are likely sold on the black market.

In Ihiala, Anambra State, a woman known as "Dr. Ruth" runs one such clinic out of a dilapidated hotel. For a fee of 350,000 naira ($205), she convinces women that they will soon become mothers, despite the lack of any legitimate medical basis.

The scam often leverages the concept of "cryptic pregnancy," a rare medical condition, to further deceive women. Online, scammers exploit social media platforms like Facebook to spread misinformation about miraculous pregnancies, targeting vulnerable women worldwide.

In February 2024, a raid by Anambra State health authorities exposed the horrifying reality behind these operations. Authorities discovered a facility housing women against their will, some as young as 17, who were forced to surrender their newborns.