Alaye.

Alaye is a Yoruban word, a language spoken in West Africa, that refers to someone who is knowledgable, wise or well-informed. In Nigerian Pidgin English, Alaye is commonly used to refer to someone who is streetwise, sharp, or clever. To scammers Alaye is the code word they use to recognize one another. When they are working a victim, if they suspect the person might actually be a scammer as well, they text this word. If the person is also a scammer, they will respond with the same, and then they will stop wasting time on each other.

The first time I heard this word, I had no idea what it meant. I had been messaging with a guy on one of the dating apps for a couple weeks. He raised enough red flags for me to know he most likely was a scammer, but I wanted to see it through and find out what kind he was. He had been really working me hard, demanding a lot of attention. I needed a break, and I was going to be busy for the next 2 nights, so I told him I was going away for the weekend to visit my mother, who was sick. Partial truth, she had a cold. I honestly don't know what I said that triggered him, but apparently it was enough of a sob story that he just put it out there.

Alaye?

I googled it and quickly found out what it meant, and what he was asking. Not only was he confirming that he was indeed a scammer, but he was asking if I was one too. I was so shocked by this new information, I just sat there staring at my phone for a few minutes. How can I still be surprised by these scumbags?!

"Alaye" was my reply.

His response was a smiley face. I never heard from him again.