African Scammers Pivot to Selling Fake British Royal Titles

A notorious Nigerian scam operation has rebranded from "prince inheritance" emails to selling fake British peerages, offering titles like "Duke of Instagram" and "Baron of Bitcoin" through TikTok ads. "For just $19.99 plus shipping, we'll mail you a scroll declaring you Lord of Your Own Couch," explained scammer "Prince" Adebayo Okonjo in a viral video showing him wearing a Burger King crown. The operation uses Photoshop and stolen Buckingham Palace letterhead to create convincing credentials, with over 12,000 Americans reportedly falling for the scheme - including one Texas man who tried to claim diplomatic immunity during a speeding ticket. The UK Parliament has threatened legal action, though investigators admit it's hard to prosecute when the "Royal Title Mill" keeps moving between internet cafes in Lagos. Scotland Yard discovered the operation was being run from a single laptop with a screensaver of Queen Elizabeth II winking. Surprisingly, 14% of purchasers reported their fake titles worked at upscale bars ("People just assume you're eccentric rich"), while one Maryland woman used her "Countess" certificate to skip the line at a Cheesecake Factory. The scammers now offer premium packages including a "scepter" (glue-gunned curtain rod) and "royal crest" (clip art with your face photoshopped over a lion). Authorities warn the only legitimate way to become British nobility is still "being born into it or buying a Scottish island," but sales continue to soar, with the operation recently adding "COVID-era Zoom background" throne rentals for $5/hour.