It was a cool evening when I came across a match-making channel on Telegram called HOUSE OF P*** and I joined the Telegram channel, then I went through the media gallery to fill my eyes with naughty pictures and videos.
For some time, I kept following the channel and one thing that pushed me to contact the admin and pay the money for the connection fee was that the Admin has a verified badge account on Telegram and the channel has over 17k+ subscribers. Another thing was he usually posts successful connections.
So, one day I decided to give it a try to find a match in my location.
The reason I did this was because I was an introvert and could not approach a girl physically, I felt this was the best option to jump into a soulmate thing.
Note: This a real-life story and the person decided to share this so you can learn and know how to avoid getting scammed online.
Disclosure
No matter how smart you think you are; Scammers can be very tricky and sound legit at first.
Now, back to what I was saying.
This scammer use my emotion for his advantage, and tricky have two telegram account; acting as the female and the escrow between us.
Lol!
He asked me of my location and I told him then, he sent me some pictures of fine babes and their location closest to mine.
I picked the picture of the one I liked her physic and appearance.
He then asked me to pay the connection fee of 10,000 naira and I bargin with him to pay 7,000 naira. after he agreed and I made a transfer to him. he sent me a contact called Victoria Johnson and I messaged her.
After introducing myself to her, she confirmed that I was from the guy (All this was planned by the admin) and she started chatting with me about how we could meet and where she is coming from.
She told me that from her place to my place to and fro will cost 5,000 that I should send her the money and she would start coming.
When I told her to come that I would give her back the money she spent, she said that she do not have any money with her that she is a student.
after me trying to make her come before I would send her tfare, I message the admin to inform him about what the lady was saying and he said I should send her the money.
I sent the first one and due to network issues, it was not successful but I was debited, something made to go tell her I had sent it and show her the SMS debit alert to see if she would find a way to start coming.
She replied me and said she has not seen it, that until she see it before she can start coming. The next day in the evening I sent money to the escrow account 4,000 naira to alert her that he has received the money and start coming.
He said he would do that (He has confirmed that he has received the payment) but after waiting for his reply, I went to sleep and came back to see that he had blocked me and the fake girl account also blocked me.
I quickly rushed to the telegram channel and could not access it again, that is I was also blocked from the Telegram Channel.
That is how I was scammed for the sum of Eleven Thousand Naira (11,000).
To Be Continued…
So, let me give some tips to avoid been scammed online.
How To Avoid Getting Scam Online
Avoiding online scams is crucial to protect yourself from financial loss and potential identity theft. Here are some tips to help you stay safe online:
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, antivirus software, and other applications to ensure you have the latest security patches.
- Be Cautious with Emails: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious emails. Be especially wary of emails asking for personal or financial information.
- Verify the Source: Double-check the legitimacy of websites, businesses, or individuals before making any transactions. Use reliable sources, reviews, or recommendations.
- Use Strong Passwords: Create unique and strong passwords for your online accounts. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites. Consider using a password manager for added security.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA for your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step.
- Beware of Phishing: Be cautious about providing personal information in response to emails, messages, or phone calls. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information via email or text.
- Check Website URLs: Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking. Be wary of URLs that look suspicious or have misspellings.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank and credit card statements to detect any unauthorized transactions. Report any discrepancies immediately.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common online scams and tactics used by scammers. Knowledge is a powerful tool in protecting yourself.
- Use Reputable Online Platforms: When making purchases or transactions, use well-known and reputable websites or platforms. Check for customer reviews and ratings.
- Be Skeptical of Unrealistic Offers: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of deals or opportunities that seem overly generous.
- Secure Your Devices: Use up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software. Keep your devices, including computers and smartphones, protected with strong security measures.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a potential scam, report it to the relevant authorities, such as your country’s consumer protection agency or the website/platform where the incident occurred.
By following these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams and protect your personal and financial information.