How To Spot a Scammer on Social Media

It is no longer news that the internet is a very useful tool for us all in this generation, that not withstanding it came with its own disadvantages or "Cons" and this conning is becoming an increasing trend among some group of persons at OLX, KAYMU, INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP, BBM and even FACEBOOK who parade themselves as "customs officers" but in true sense they are nothing but Scammers or con artiste.



Spotting a scam is easy if you know about common scam scripts or scammers’ general behaviors. There are some things you need to look out for when trying to identify if the person or group of  people (seller) you are talking to are scammers

here are the things you should look out for next time you searching or shopping on some online platforms or talking to a date online.


SPOTTING SCAMMERS ON STORES

1. THE NAME OF THE SELLER (e.g CUSTOM PETER)
This one is most common on facebook for those selling cars as most of them creates new accounts and their first name becomes "custom" or "PASTOR",ALHAJI, MR, MRS
Nigeria custom do not attach the initial or prefix "customs" to their names so be ware, they are not custom officers. they are lairs.
other names you may see @olx are MR. BEN, MR. CHUCKS CUSTOM etc...

2. RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP PRICE
They will put a price tag that will almost at once capture your attention. imagine a bb q10 selling for #20,000 ... hmmm!! and to make it worse, they will say its negotiable... I'd say, run for your life.

3. PHOTOS & LOCATION CONFLICT
They use one same photo to advertise an item @lekki, again use it to advertise @ikorodu.
if they must scam they should do better than showing us an image of a Black berry q10 with seller @lekki, same image of q10 for another seller @apapa.

4 ASKING FOR DELIVERY FEE
Once you call them, they will ask you to pay "delivery fee" of the item so they can bring it to your door step due to distance. The whole idea of you on the receiving end of such a huge windfall is unbelievable, but the scammer makes you believe so.

 SPOTTING SCAMMERS ON EMAILS AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

1. NO RELATIONSHIP: There is no clue how the scammer got to know your email id and he does not address you by name or does not know any of your personal details (in his first communication with you).

2. NO TIME: There is a sense of urgency in everything about the communication or deal. The scammer wants you to keep the whole thing confidential and speed up things in faster pace.

3.PERSONAL QUESTIONS The scammer keeps asking you for personal details and money right from the start. You are asked to provide your bank information, name, address, phone number, credit card information ETC.

4.GOVERNMENT CONNECTION: So many government agencies are involved. You receiving logos of such organizations in emails, but the email ids from which the scammer sends you mails do not look like they are from the govt. agencies.

5. FAKE OFFICIALS: You are introduced to a lot of officials – bank officers, lawyers, tax officials, agents etc. But you know these people only through the scammer. You do not know any official in person.

6. NO ADDRESS: The scammer never gives you the physical address of his location or landline number. You can communicate with the scammer only through mobile numbers.

7. YOU KEEP PAYING: You keep paying a lot of fees and each fee is to clear the procedures involved to help you receive the money.

8. UNKNOWN BUSINESS: You have never heard of such a money-making idea or tactic before. The scammer is the first one to break the ice about this to you. It appears unbelievable to you, but with the scammer’s words, you are lured into believing it.