Every Morning, They Would Ask Us To Switch Off Our Phones. You Only Put It On Around 4:30 PM-Victim.
In a recent video on Brekete Family Tv, Ibrahim Isah, a Nigerian man who fell victim to a job scam in Burkina Faso, has shared the grim reality of being manipulated and exploited by fraudsters posing as employers. After arriving in Burkina Faso with promises of a well-paying job, Isah soon realized he was caught in a scam designed to deceive and control vulnerable individuals.
Once Isah and others arrived, they were subjected to strict control measures by the agents running the scam. Every morning, they were instructed to turn off their phones and were only allowed to switch them back on around 4:30 PM. This was done to prevent any communication with family and friends, ensuring that they would not expose the fraudulent nature of the operation. When people from Nigeria called, they were told their loved ones were at work, reinforcing the illusion of legitimacy.
The scammers claimed that Nigerians working for them were earning $250 per week, which encouraged many others to make the journey. However, once they arrived, they were subjected to harsh conditions. Isah observed that the workers, including elderly men, were sharing meager portions of food, with up to four people eating from a single plate. The reality was far from the promised job that had attracted so many hopefuls.
Isah became increasingly disillusioned and warned others about the dire conditions. He explained to fellow workers that despite being told they were earning $250 per week, the living conditions were harsh, and the food was inadequate. The scammers continued to push the narrative that, despite hardships, they would eventually recover all the money they had spent. However, Isah knew that the situation was only worsening and voiced his concerns openly.
According to him, “They kept us there. Every morning, they would ask us to switch off our phones. You only put it on around 4:30 PM. So that when people in Nigeria call you, you’ll say you’re at work. They told us that Nigerians are being paid $250 per week.”
“So when people hear, they want to come. But when they come, they collect that money from them too. Because I told people, This place you’re seeing me — they say we’re earning $250 every week, but You’ll see old men here — they’re sharing one plate of food among four people. Old men are just there — suffering. I said, Is this how it is?” They told us. Even if your father doesn’t have a house, just collect the money and come. Within two weeks, you would’ve recovered everything you spent.” I said, If you stay here, you’ll see.
towngists…
