The Role of Trust and Social Networks in Promoting Ponzi Schemes in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Authors : Okoro Asangausung, Thelma Abang, Tahirih Udousoro, Ali Yağcı

Pages : 93-125

Doi:10.53048/johass.1700286

View : 91 | Download : 91

Publication Date : 2025-05-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In the oil-rich, yet, often marginalised Niger Delta, the promise of financial liberation, ironically, flows not just from the earth but also from the insidious currents of Ponzi schemes, where deeply ingrained social trust becomes the very pipeline through which exploitation is pumped. This study examined the critical role of trust and social networks in the proliferation of Ponzi schemes within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study was guided by Marvin Wolfgang’s Victim Precipitation Theory (VPT) developed in 1958. An exploratory survey design was utilised. Key informant interview was used with 28 victims of Ponzi scheme, aged 18-60 years. Purposive and respondent-driven sampling techniques were utilised in the selection of respondents. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that Ponzi schemes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are effectively promoted through the exploitation of trust within social networks, including family, community ties and religious affiliations, leading to significant financial losses for victims who often rely on endorsements from trusted individuals. This study contributes to knowledge by providing a context-specific understanding of trust exploitation within the Niger Delta region’s unique socio-cultural landscape. It moves beyond individual blame, framing vulnerability as a product of manipulated social conditioning and emotional appeals within trusted networks. The study recommended the urgent need for culturally informed financial literacy programmes, stronger community-based awareness initiatives and targeted policy interventions to build resilience against these pervasive financial scams. The study suggests further research on the link between sociocultural dynamics and financial fraud, particularly in rural or impoverished areas.
Keywords : Güven, sosyal ağlar, promosyon, saadet zinciri, Nijer deltası bölgesi

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