A Nigerian man identified simply as Yakubu has narrated how he narrowly escaped being defrauded of N1.8 million by job scammers in Burkina Faso while trying to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities.
Speaking during an interview on The Lucky Udu Experience Podcast, Yakubu detailed how what appeared to be a genuine job offer quickly turned into a scam upon his arrival in the West African country.
“Immediately I just got in, dropped my bag, they said I should transfer the money. They said I should transfer 1.8 million,” Yakubu recalled.
Shocked by the sudden demand, Yakubu requested to be taken to the office of those supposedly processing the job offer, but his request was refused. “I said who are the people that are processing this thing, let’s go to the office. They said no, we don’t do that,” he added.
Yakubu’s experience sheds light on the growing trend of international job scams targeting desperate young Nigerians seeking to “japa”, a local slang for migrating abroad for greener pastures.
According to him, the syndicate operated in a way that made victims feel trapped and pressured into complying once they arrived at their destination. “They knew what they were doing. They waited for me to arrive before springing the payment on me. If I had paid, that money would be gone forever,” he said.
Yakubu urged fellow Nigerians to be cautious and properly verify any overseas job offer before making payments or travelling. He said his escape was a result of vigilance and luck, but warned that many others have not been as fortunate.
His story adds to the growing concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable youths by fraudulent agents operating within and outside Nigeria.
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