By Enigheni Iwori
A friend shares a link with you. A trusted family member persuades you and even shows proof of returns. A colleague introduces you to someone who promises to “put you on.” Before you know it, you have been swindled out of your money.
Often, we see adverts for investment schemes or job opportunities promising juicy returns or outrageous salaries. From the days of MMM, Racksterly, Clickerly and many other suspicious organisations, Ponzi schemes have continued to reinvent themselves. If you are unsuspecting and do not do due diligence, you may lose your money because scams rarely look like scams at first; they usually appear as opportunities that should not be ignored.
Before you commit your money to the next investment opportunity that screams “too good to be true,” take time to verify the following:
1. Verify the company
What are people saying about the company? How long has it been in existence? Is it registered with the appropriate authorities, such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or any other relevant regulator?
2. Verify the people
Who are the owners, directors, or promoters? Do they have a physical office, verifiable contact details, and a credible track record?
Can you trace real names, real faces, and real accountability or are you only dealing with anonymous social media handles and forwarded messages?
3. Verify the process
Is the investment regulated and can you confirm this from official sources instead of relying only on screenshots, testimonials, or referral messages?
If you have issues or questions, who do you speak to and what clear complaint or support process can you follow?
If you can get satisfactory answers to these questions, you are better positioned to make an informed decision. If the answers are unclear, inconsistent, or evasive, then your answer should be no.
Following these steps does not only protect your money. It also helps you avoid unnecessary battles, embarrassments and regrets.
Always verify before you part with your money.
See you next week.
*Enigheni, is a content writer and can be reached via @eniiwori on Instagram.
