The 419 test

It’s incredible how easy it is to cheat our people. Although we know that this is the land of the 419, we’re still gullible – easily falling for the wicked designs of our compatriots and neighbours. 

When I was chief press secretary, many people called to confirm if the First Lady was offering jobs after payment. Of course I didn’t need to ask her, because I knew it was not true. 

Even yesterday a friend asked me if it’s true that the president’s wife is giving loans after sending five account and phone numbers. I’m getting tired of answering the same questions.  So here are a few lessons.

Lesson one: If someone asks you to bring money before giving you a job, he’s either a 419 or he’s not in a position to give you that job. Either way, run away from him. Have you ever seen a CEO who needs your money before giving you a job? Feel free to add the Peace Corps under this category. 

Lesson two: If you receive an offer from a First Lady, a minister, commissioner and other big shots on social media, don’t bother to confirm, it’s a lie. 

Lesson three: If your relative comes to you that someone has offered him a great opportunity but needs some money. Know that he’s fallen prey to 419 devils. Even if you trust this relative, don’t trust his judgment in this case – don’t give him a kobo. 

Lesson four: If someone sends you a link to a website where you can make money, but you need to make a payment before using the website, don’t click. The following websites where you can genuinely make money don’t require payment before registration: Fiverr.com, clickbank.com, etc.

Lesson five: If someone advertises international jobs or scholarships and leaves a Nigerian number to call, stay away. You should be careful of all job adverts with phone numbers. The usual practice is an email address or website address for further information. 

I also requested friends on social media to add their own lessons.  Following are their contributions.

 Ibrahim Balogun wrote:

 Lesson six: If you get a text message from a GSM network provider, congratulating you in winning a promo prize when you never participated in any, don’t bother to cross check, it is a scam. 

Lesson seven: If anyone calls you asking you to guess his name or showing disappointment that you didn’t recognize his voice, know you are most likely talking to an unintelligent scammer. That method is so outdated only the unintelligent among them still use it. 

Lesson eight: If a caller said he was working in either PHCN or NNPC and had just been transferred out of Abuja and needs your help with a business but you cannot recall meeting him, don’t go any further, you are talking to a scammer. 

Lesson nine: If among the requirements for your job interview the text message says to bring HSE certificate and to call a number in case you need help getting it, it is a scam. Don’t be too eager to get a job. 

Lesson ten: Members of the National Assembly don’t print their business cards on a deskjet printer (the colour runs when wet) and they don’t cut the cards with scissors, leaving an uneven edge. Besides, the NASS website has everyone’s names. If in doubt, ask for the constituency he represents or his senatorial zone then check it on the NASS site. 

Lesson eleven: National Assembly members don’t beg for money. 

Lesson twelve: That fella who claimed to have come to the office close to your own for interview carrying a folder with credentials in it is a scammer. So is the lady who said she came to see her uncle in Abuja ‘but met his absence’ and somehow doesn’t have the transport fare back. 

Lesson thirteen: Another variant is the well-dressed guy in suit who starts by saying, ‘Sorry to disturb you’ before telling you how he doesn’t have transport fare and needs just 400 to complete it. There’s also the one who waits some distance while you use the ATM. After you withdraw cash, he walks up to you and pitches his scam. 

 Khamis M. Mustafa wrote:

Lesson fourteen: Any purported government job advertised through a website without .gov.ng TLD extension (e.g. customs.gov.ng or finance.gov.ng) is a fake job. No genuine government agency or parastatal uses .com or .net domain extension now for security and identity reasons. The same goes to email addresses, if you are asked to send CV to yahoo or gmail email address, put it at back of your mind that you are liable to be duped! Also, there are many fake websites that look like government websites, they are phishing websites, so be warned!

Dr. Ibrahim D. Muhammad wrote:

Lesson sixteen: Even when the source is proven to be “real” in the e-world, confirm the owner(s) of the account(s) where transfer will be made from several options available in internet banking facilities. And if possible pay in batches or piecemeal as it is better to   accrue more service charges than to to lose your money.

Lesson seventeen: Consult experts in the field and trusted friends/colleagues. Most importantly, pray as much as possible before taking decisions and implementing.