PoS Operator Dies by Suicide After Losing N2.5m to Yahoo Boys

A tragic incident has rocked the Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as a young Point of Sale (PoS) operator, Utibe Eteffia, allegedly took his own life after being defrauded of N2.5 million by suspected internet fraudsters, commonly known as Yahoo Boys.

The deceased, believed to be in his early 30s, reportedly ingested a poisonous substance after falling victim to a syndicate that lured him into a fake cyber scheme. In the days leading up to his death, Eteffia had made cryptic social media posts hinting at his mental state, including a candle-lit image with the caption: “Do you believe in reincarnation?” and a plea to his followers to “be their brother’s keeper.”

Residents of the Atan Ofot area in Uyo, where Eteffia lived and operated his PoS business, confirmed he had become increasingly withdrawn and emotionally distressed. One neighbour, popularly called Eka Baby, said he was often seen crying or making phone calls late into the night. Another, Aniefiok Isang, recalled that he once came to his house asking for rat poison, claiming he needed it to deal with rodents.

“He said he had a rat problem, but he looked lost. It didn’t feel right,” Isang added.

Sources disclosed that Eteffia had lost both parents at a young age and was raised by his aunt. With support from relatives and friends, he started his PoS business, only to later fall into the hands of a cyber-fraud group that allegedly introduced him to a Yahoo Plus cult. After being duped of his entire savings during the initiation, he reportedly suffered a mental breakdown.

A family source revealed that after travelling from Uyo to his hometown in Ini LGA, Eteffia asked relatives if they would be attending church. When they declined, he later requested financial help, receiving only N10,000. “He quietly said, ‘What can N10,000 do?’” the source recounted.

Later that evening, Eteffia attended a church service, returned home, and waited until his family had retired before consuming the lethal substance. His lifeless body was discovered on the veranda the next morning, prompting the family to begin searching for answers.

“We won’t bury him until we understand why he made that decision,” a family member said.