A Nigerian businesswoman has found herself in a devastating situation after falling victim to a sophisticated scam, resulting in a loss of ₦509,000 to an individual posing as an Indomie supplier. This shocking incident highlights the growing concerns around impersonation scams in Nigeria’s business community.
The incident came to light after the businesswoman, who goes by the TikTok handle @smile_wholesalefoods, shared her heartbreaking experience in a video that quickly went viral. In her detailed narration, she explained how scammers cunningly manipulated her into believing she was dealing with an authentic Indomie distributor.
According to her account, a group of individuals visited her shop, promoting various products, including a woman who introduced herself as a noodle supplier. In an effort to appear credible and genuine, the woman appealed to the businesswoman’s emotions, pleading for support to help her meet her sales target by buying multiple cartons of Indomie noodles.
After much persuasion and negotiation, the businesswoman agreed to make the purchase. Shortly after their discussion, a bus arrived at her shop supposedly to deliver the promised cartons of Indomie, which seemed to confirm the legitimacy of the deal.
Feeling convinced and under some pressure, she proceeded to transfer over ₦500,000 to the woman, who promptly confirmed receiving the money. However, her relief soon turned into shock when the driver of the bus disclosed that his actual boss — the real supplier — had not received any payment from her.
After further investigation and confronting those involved, it became heartbreakingly clear that she had unknowingly paid an impersonator who had no connection to the Indomie company or its legitimate supply chain. The woman who had posed as the supplier disappeared after receiving the money, leaving the businesswoman stranded and feeling helpless.
In a state of frustration and regret, the businesswoman lamented: “This is the reason I will never, ever in my life… no matter what you want to buy, I’ll never do payment on delivery.”
She further added: “They just scammed someone. Their bus is still here but someone has already collected the money. I can’t do anything because I’ve paid.”
Sharing more details, she revealed: “Someone chatted me up claiming to be an Indomie supplier and said the company gave her a target of three trucks.”
The incident has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many social media users expressing shock, sympathy, and even frustration on her behalf. Some pointed out flaws in her approach, while others emphasized the need for stricter verification processes in business transactions.
See some reactions below:
Mmiriugo🧞♂️🧚♀️: “That driver knows about this scam.”
Dubem🚨💫🥇🔋🪔: “My sister dem scam you oooh not them🤣.”
princesscandy73: “Wise woman big respect 🫡 she don’t even want to believe she was scammed.”
Victor Rogerly: “Person wey them scam dey laugh. You think they will leave.”
Ade brown: “Did you actually know that you are the one they scammed? The person has the right to pack her market back because she did not confirm your money and if you feel like stopping her, she will tell you to provide the receipt and if they see that her name is not on it, then she wins the case 🌚.”
vitamin__peace: “Eyaah madam u need go collect your Indomie from the person u were chatting o🤣🤣🤣.”
Aura: “But why didn’t you collect the account details from them supplying you physically instead of the person chatting you online? this is why they always do.”
Scientist Yoruba: “Most people don’t get it here, the company has been scammed not this woman, This woman didn’t order from the company directly but from a middleman, so she has no business with the company directly. The middleman she paid to has delivered her goods so she has no business with the company. Case closed.”
Slurtle Trader: “I think they scam you not the company, the person lured you to pay for the company products into his/her own account.”
WATCH VIDEO:
@smile_wholesalefoodsPosting next one soon. #smilewholesalefoods #onlinescam
♬ original sound – SMILE WHOLESALE FOODS