I am not trying to justify anything or anyone but when look deep in to insight, if Nigeria has the most scammer then the first thing to be looked at is the economy. Nigeria as a country has silently pasted “ your survival is your business” as their motto, no one really cares not even the government.
If you are not rich you cannot start a new business, if you don’t have the best connection you cannot get a good job in a big company. If you are not rich you cannot go the a good average school, if you are not rich you cannot study the course of you choice.. you most go for the best affordable course, if you are not rich you cannot dress properly, if you are not rich you cannot eat properly even chicken is no longer a regular man food cause it is expensive, if you are not rich you cannot think of owning a car or even renting one plus public bus is a topic for another day.
The reality of Nigeria is only the rich can survive.
In a country like this how and why won’t there be scammers even the government are frauds too they are only focused of getting all the money they can to preserve it for their generations. The hardship here is different.
There are no jobs, getting a loan is almost impossible if you don’t have a reliable source of income or any property to mortgage, many are dropout, many are graduates with out job, many did not even smell the coners of school, many cannot afford medical bills , many are starving and everybody wants to survive. So i wouldn’t say they are looking for quick money instead I would say they are all trying to survive.
I won't say you asked this question based on experience because you said you heard, it's true that our government has failed us but my question to you is that "are you a Nigerian? If NO, please do your research about Nigeria very well before concluding on how we survive. The reality of Nigeria is not only the rich can survive, I am an example that the poor/average Nigerian can survive too.