A deadly “cryptic pregnancy” hoax that targets women nationwide has sparked new worries from Nigerian health advocate Dr. Chinonso Egemba, also known as Aproko Doctor.
The doctor warned that scammers are tricking women by giving them hormone injections that look like pregnancy symptoms in a post on X. Later, under the pretence of miraculous delivery, victims are given babies that are thought to have been trafficked
“Anybody that tells you another person cannot see the baby in your womb with an ultrasound scan is about to scam you,” he warned.
“If there’s a pregnancy, it will show on a scan. Many women are being deceived this way.”
After former Big Brother Naija star Bambam posted a testimony that went viral about a woman in her church who supposedly carried a pregnancy for more than three years—a claim that medical experts rejected as untrue—the warning gathered steam.
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Olusina Ajidahun, popularly referred to as The Bearded Dr. Sina, is another Nigerian physician who also offered their opinion. He clarified that these victims are typically given hormone injections to mimic pregnant symptoms like nausea and weight gain, and they are advised not to seek second opinions at other institutions.
He further alleged that during supposed deliveries, women are sedated and later handed stolen babies.
“It is a cartel of baby factories that exploit desperate women and call it ‘cryptic pregnancy,’” he said.
A BBC Africa Eye investigation previously revealed the scam, detailing how women, including teenagers, were coerced and, in certain situations, detained inhumanely.
Experts caution that these scams take advantage of weak women who want children and frequently charge them exorbitant prices for phoney medical care.
The experts encouraged women to always ask for independent ultrasound scans to confirm pregnancy and to only seek care from licensed medical professionals.
