Some scammers have defrauded Nigerians by luring them into performing online tasks and promising commissions.
FIJ learned that these scammers usually begin by sending website links to unsuspecting Nigerians and asking them to register on a website. Afterward, the person is asked to pay some money before they can begin performing tasks online to get commissions.
They promise varying commissions, depending on the amount paid. After sending proof of payment, a potential victim is added to group chats on WhatsApp or Telegram, where they are given instructions.
One such website scammers use is Payportepro, which also has a mobile application. FIJ learned that it impersonates Payporte, an online fashion store. It also claims to partner with Konga, Jumia, Jiji and some other brands.
In March, @Aunty_Akanke, an X user, posted a tweet narrating how her sister lost N2.4 million to scammers who lured her into performing tasks on Payportepro.
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She said her sister was sent a link on TikTok and was directed to download the Payportepro app. She added that her sister was also chatting with someone on Telegram who claimed to be a representative of Payportepro and was guiding her.
“Her first payment was N5,000, and she was told she could withdraw N7,000 after performing tasks. She added another N5,000 and kept adding until it got to N2 million. She was asked to perform tasks, making her pay more to withdraw her commission.
“Every payment was made to different accounts, all Moniepoint bank accounts. Some accounts were Kaznot Fashion and Boutique and Aliya Nasir, with account numbers 4563736654 and 706070809, respectively.
“Her eyes opened, and she spoke out when asked to pay another 20% of the total commission of N2.4 million to withdraw her money.”
She added that her sister borrowed money from people and exhausted all she had saved during her service year on the scam.
A source who wished to be identified as Kiki also told FIJ how she fell victim to scammers who operate like Payportepro.
Kiki told FIJ that in February, an unknown person texted her on WhatsApp and told her his company got her number on the internet.
“He said he was an agent and was instructed to put me through the process. I told him I was uninterested, and he said he was not in Nigeria. He told me it was an online job and an easy way to make quick cash.
“I eventually agreed to it. He first sent me a link that redirected me to Google Maps. It showed the address of a hotel and said I should comment and like the page. After I did that, he sent N1,000. He said all I needed to do was leave comments on those pages and I would get paid.
She added that he told her to send a message to someone on Telegram and this person added her to a group chat. Like the X user’s sister, she was also asked to send money to withdraw her commissions.
“I started with a N20,000 task and was asked to pay N50,000 to withdraw my commissions. I obliged, and I was paid my commission. They kept increasing the amount I was asked to pay.”
She told FIJ this continued until she was asked to send N350,000, which she obliged.
“After sending it, I was asked to send another N850,000 to withdraw all my accumulated commission. I was restless and ready to go to the bank to secure a loan. I almost borrowed money from someone, and the only thing stopping me from forging ahead was when he told me he was skeptical about it.
“I spoke to someone about it, and he told me it was a cheap scam,” said Kiki.
When FIJ contacted Jiji and Konga, they said they were not partners with Payportepro and would not be liable if customers were defrauded. Payporte also told FIJ that they had notified the public about falling victim to scammers impersonating them.
On Wednesday, FIJ sent Payportepro a message on WhatsApp but received no response. FIJ also discovered their website was no longer accessible.
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