My Scam Story by Monica Agbane

“Some months ago, I received an email asking if I was interested in an Administrative Assistant position with the FAO office in Abuja. I was actively job hunting, and as someone with a profile on the UN website, it didn’t seem out of place. I replied immediately, excited and hopeful.

Two to three weeks later, I got another email saying I had been pre-selected along with an appointment letter and that I needed two certificates before I could be called in for a physical interview. One was the BSAFE certificate which I knew was a standard UN safety training. But the second, called QREDIVA, came with a cost: $99.

Because everything had looked official and my heart was so full of hope, I didn’t question it deeply. Friends celebrated with me. I borrowed the money and paid for the certificate, telling myself, this is finally my breakthrough. (They promised to reimburse after the interview).

Then, one day, a close friend came across a post on Nairaland the exact same FAO job offer had been exposed as a scam. Dozens of people had fallen for it. That moment shattered me.

I was heartbroken, confused, and ashamed. How could something that looked so right turn out to be so wrong? The hardest part wasn’t even the money though that stung but it was the emotional weight. The excitement, the planning, the belief that things were finally turning around… all gone in seconds.

It’s taken me some time to talk about this, but I now understand that sharing is part of healing. If my story can help just one person pause, ask more questions, or avoid the pain I went through then it’s worth it”