Armed with his mother's blessing, Timi ventured out into the heart of Lagos. The sights, sounds, and smells of the city were a sensory overload. He wandered through the bustling markets, awestruck by the vibrant colors and exotic spices that filled the air.As he walked, he noticed a group of young men, huddled around a small stage on the side of the road. Intrigued, he moved closer to see what was happening.
Timi's eyes widened with awe as he watched the young men parade around the streets, flaunting their wealth and status. "Yahoo boys," he murmured to himself, committing the phrase to memory.The more he watched them, the more Timi felt a spark of curiosity ignite within him. Could this be the answer to all his problems? Could this be the way out of the life of poverty and desperation his uncle had forced him into?He knew that his mother would disapprove of such a dangerous and illegal lifestyle, but he also knew that his current situation was not sustainable.
As Timi walked back to his mother's house, his thoughts were consumed with the idea of becoming a Yahoo boy. He tried to push the idea out of his mind, but it kept coming back, like a persistent itch that needed to be scratched.That night, Timi lay awake in the darkness, listening to the sounds of the city outside his window. He knew that his mother would never approve of his plan, but he also knew that he couldn't keep living like this. He needed to find a way out.
The next day, Timi woke with a sense of determination. He knew what he needed to do.He waited until his mother left for work and then made his way back to the market, where he had seen the Yahoo boys the day before. He approached a group of them, nervously clearing his throat to get their attention."I want to be a Yahoo boy," he blurted out, his heart pounding in his chest.The group of men turned to look at him, their expressions unreadable.
"You want to be a Yahoo boy, eh?" one of the men asked, his eyes narrowed.Timi nodded, trying to hide the tremor in his voice. "Yes, sir. I want to be like you. I'm tired of being poor."The man chuckled, a cold, humorless sound that sent a shiver down Timi's spine. "Being a Yahoo boy is not for the faint of heart, boy. You need to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done."Timi swallowed hard, his resolve wavering.
The man who had spoken before, the one with the cold laugh, fell silent, his gaze locked on Timi's face. But another man stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Timi's shoulder."What my friend here means," he said, "is that this is not a game. It's a dangerous business, and you need to be sure you're ready for it. But if you have the skills, the patience, and the will to succeed, you can make a lot of money."Timi nodded, grateful for the man's kinder approach.
"So, you want to be a Yahoo boy, eh?" the man asked, his voice gentle but firm."Yes, sir," Timi replied, straightening his shoulders."Alright, then. The first thing you'll need is a phone. Do you have one?"Timi shook his head. "No, sir. I don't have one."The man frowned, his brow furrowing in thought. "You're going to need a good phone to get started. Do you have any money saved up?".
Timi shook his head again, his face falling. "I don't have any money, sir. My uncle took everything from my father when he died."The man sighed, considering Timi's predicament. "Well, we can't let that stop you," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "There are ways to get a phone without having the money upfront. Ever heard of 'ahooly work'?"Timi frowned, confused by the term. "What's 'ahooly work'?".
Aahooly work" is what we call the art of getting what you want without paying for it," the man explained, his eyes twinkling. "For example, if you see a nice phone in a shop, but you don't have the money, you can find a way to get it without paying."Timi's eyes widened. "But...isn't that stealing?"The man laughed. "Well, if you want to be successful in this business, you need to learn that the lines between right and wrong can be a bit blurry.
The man laughed n told him he was kidding.
"That's right, boy," the man said, nodding in approval. "Internet fraudsters, or 'Yahoo boys', don't physically steal anything. They just deceive people into giving them money. It's all about convincing people to trust you, to believe that you're someone you're not."Timi considered this for a moment, a slow smile spreading across his face. "I think I can do that."The man laughed. "That's the spirit! Now, the first thing you need to do is get yourself a phone. Are you ready to learn how to get one?.
Timi's mind raced with excitement as he assured the Yahoo boys he would return with a phone. All he could think about was asking his mother for a phone, hoping against hope that she would support his new venture.When he arrived home, he mustered the courage to tell his mother about his intentions, and to his surprise, she agreed without hesitation.
Timi couldn't believe his ears as his mother reached into her purse and pulled out a brand new Techno Pop 5."I bought this for you," she said, placing it into his hands. "I know you need it for what you're planning to do. But I want you to promise me you'll be careful, okay?"Timi nodded enthusiastically, a wide smile stretching across his face. "I promise, Mama. Thank you so much! I'll make you proud, I swear.""I know you will, my son. Just make sure you remember who you are.
Timi's joy knew no bounds as he clutched the Techno Pop 5, eager to learn the skills he would need to become a successful Yahoo boy.The next day, he made his way back to the group of Yahoo boys, Techno Pop 5 in hand."I've got the phone," he announced, holding it up for them to see."Good," the man from before said, nodding in approval. "Now, you need to learn how to 'bomb'.""What's 'bombing'?" Timi asked, curious.