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On September 14, 2025, DUBAWA published an investigation exposing a thriving public trade in spiritual charms that boosts internet fraud in Nigeria. The report mainly exposes how a recent Nigerian graduate, Ogunsona Victoria (Aphrodisiacs by OlaXash), built a lucrative brand on social media by selling charms like Oshole and Ghost Client Soap to internet fraudsters in the country.g
Our findings revealed that she is not the only vendor, and the booming trade blurs the lines between traditional beliefs and modern criminality. This deep dive reveals legal loopholes that the spiritualists exploit and the failure of regulatory bodies. It also spotlights the societal shifts that have allowed this illicit enterprise to flourish.
Here are eight primary focuses of this in-depth investigation:
- A brazen and public trade
Internet fraudsters in Nigeria now go the extra mile to fortify their trade using spiritual charms like Oshole or Ghost Client Soap. The charm vendors no longer operate their business in the shadows, but in plain sight on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Videos of young men and women enthusiastically advertising these charms are a common sight, and they use slang like “Hustle guys” and “people pressing phones” to evade detection. There is a complete lack of fear of prosecution, as vendors feel confident that they can openly advertise their services to large followers without consequences. The sheer volume of this public-facing trade shows how deep these illicit practices have become in Nigeria’s digital culture.
- Aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise
Selling these charms is not a crime, but intentionally selling them to fraudsters like OlaXash is a direct and deliberate act of complicity. Oshole was initially designed to provide a spiritual boost to legitimate business persons.
However, OlaXash’s services target a specific audience, and she markets her wares to a criminal demographic that perpetrates online fraud. By intentionally providing these “spiritual solutions” to attract victims and secure ill-got gains, vendors are moving beyond the role of spiritual practitioners and into that of criminal partners. They are actively facilitating and profiting from the misery of victims. The implication of their services made the business as morally reprehensible as the fraud itself.
- Clear Violations of Nigerian Law
The activities of vendors like OlaXash in Nigeria violate specific sections of the Criminal Code (Sections 210 and 213). The Nigerian constitution explicitly outlawed the sale of charms intended to aid criminals, as OlaXash does. More importantly, these vendors are accessories to cybercrime under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Act (Section 27b), liable for the same long prison sentences and hefty fines as the fraudsters they support. However, there are rare litigations against such practices, as authorities largely ignore the issue despite its impact on internet fraud in Nigeria.
- Social Media’s Dangerous Blind Spot
Social media companies are identified as a crucial part of the problem. Their content moderation systems, built on a global framework, are proving ineffective against this local phenomenon. Vendors cleverly use Nigerian slang and cultural references as a smokescreen, allowing them to bypass automated filters designed to flag more overt criminal content. Despite the tech giants’ best efforts, we identified a seeming lack of cultural and linguistic awareness fueling the systemic failure. The social media platforms have become a fertile ground for illegal activities to thrive.
- A Double-Layered Scam
Internet fraudsters sometimes fall victim to spiritual scams, in which the vendor shifts the blame for the charms’ inefficacy to the user’s faith. This long-standing strategy has prevented vendors and spiritualists from taking responsibility for their products’ potency.
Testimonies from former users reveal that they spent significant sums on the charms only to receive no results. This exposes a business model built on a second layer of deception. Vendors profit from the desperation of their criminal clients and sell them a worthless product, turning a crime-enabling service into a fraudulent enterprise of its own. It’s a cruel and cynical business built on preying on the very people it claims to empower.
- Normalising a Criminal Lifestyle
This trade directly attacks society’s moral values and threatens the future of Nigerian youth. By presenting internet fraud as a legitimate “hustle” that can be enhanced with spiritual support, vendors are normalising a criminal lifestyle. The public display of wealth by successful sellers, such as OlaXash’s acquisition of multiple luxury cars, reinforces this harmful narrative. A life of crime now appears aspirational and low-risk to impressionable young people, and it erodes the age-old belief in the dignity of labour.
- Inflicting Damage on Nigeria’s Global Standing
The illicit business’s implications go beyond a localised issue, as it has far-reaching consequences on the nation’s reputation. The business’s promotion and expansion fuel cybercrime, which has earned Nigeria a spot among the top five countries globally for online fraud.
This international notoriety has tangible repercussions, including a decline in foreign investment. Many Nigerians also face increased suspicion and scrutiny at international borders, a reputation damage that is one of the many consequences of cybercrime.
- A Lack of Decisive Legal Action
Perhaps the most worrisome takeaway is the lack of a proactive legal response. Despite the clear evidence of criminal activity and the severe consequences for the nation, law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies have not prioritised the prosecution of these vendors.
This inaction sends a dangerous message that this type of crime will go unpunished, creating a fertile ground for the trade to expand. Regulators like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) need to take coordinated steps against the free rein that these vendors enjoy. A multi-agency response with decisive legal action will reduce the cycle of crime and mitigate impunity.
