Popular Nigerian health influencer, Dr Chinonso Egemba, widely recognized as Aproko Doctor, has raised serious concerns over a dangerous scam targeting women desperate for pregnancy solutions, highlighting the increasing prevalence of fraudulent activities in the health sector.
In a detailed post shared on his official X account, Aproko Doctor cautioned the public about unscrupulous individuals who deceive women by falsely claiming that pregnancies cannot always be detected via ultrasound scans. According to him, fraudsters exploit the natural anxiety and emotional vulnerability of women trying to conceive, creating elaborate schemes that appear legitimate.
“If there’s a pregnancy, it would be seen by ultrasound scans,” Aproko Doctor stated, explaining how victims are then administered hormones or other drugs to mimic pregnancy symptoms. These women are manipulated into believing they are pregnant, and at the culmination of the scam, trafficked babies are handed to them to perpetuate the deception, emotionally and financially exploiting them in the process.
He described the scheme as a “criminal racket” that thrives on misinformation, emotional manipulation, and the financial desperation of women seeking pregnancy solutions, urging vigilance and caution among those considering unverified medical advice or treatments.
Medical concerns and testimonies
The warning came to public attention shortly after actress and former Big Brother Naija star, Bambam, shared a testimony online in which she recounted a story of a woman in her church reportedly carrying a pregnancy for more than three years before delivering. While Bambam labeled it a miracle, medical experts have dismissed such accounts as medically implausible and potentially misleading, stressing that such narratives can fuel scams targeting vulnerable women.
Dr Olusina Ajidahun, co-founder of Priv Health and a member of the World Health Organisation, echoed Aproko Doctor’s concerns. He revisited a 2023 thread describing “cryptic pregnancy” as one of the most audacious frauds in the health sector, claiming victims were charged millions of naira for fake treatments under the guise of specialized care. “These women are injected with hormones that mimic pregnancy, shown fake scans, and advised against seeking second opinions,” he warned. On the day of the supposed delivery, sedated women are presented with babies they never carried, completing the scam.
Investigations and wider findings
This alarming scam has not been confined to Nigeria. A BBC Africa Eye investigation conducted in November 2024 revealed similar fraudulent practices across multiple countries in the continent. Women described experiences of confusion, heartbreak, and financial exploitation after paying exorbitant sums and being handed trafficked babies. Some facilities even detained teenagers against their will, administering injections to simulate pregnancy symptoms while instructing victims to avoid legitimate medical scans and examinations.
Both Aproko Doctor and Dr Ajidahun emphasized that such scams flourish due to desperation, lack of verified medical knowledge, and the spread of misinformation. They strongly advised women to seek verified healthcare services, avoid unproven miracle claims, and be wary of anyone offering unorthodox treatments that promise guaranteed pregnancies without legitimate medical oversight. Relying on such fraudulent schemes, they warned, poses severe risks not only to mothers but also to the children involved.
Aproko Doctor concluded by urging women to remain vigilant, verify all medical information, and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities to protect themselves and their families from falling victim to these predatory schemes.
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