Clinton Ugoh, a Lagos-based man, has recounted how a syndicate of fraudsters running the many Ecotech Fuelless Generator pages on Facebook defrauded him of N60,000.
He told aso.rocks investigates that he was using the Facebook app on May 2 when he saw an advertisement for a fuelless generator that caught his fancy.
According to Ugoh, upon investigation, he found other sellers online, whose presence further confirmed that the product existed and was a good item.
Intrigued by the product, Ugoh engaged with Michael Andy, a member of the Ecotech sales team, who informed him that the generator, typically priced at N250,000, was available at a promotional rate of N150,000. But despite his initial interest, Ugoh delayed the purchase to conduct further research.
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After a while, Ugoh proceeded with the purchase and contacted Michael Andy via WhatsApp, who instructed him to make a 40 percent down payment of N60,000.
“On May 13, 2024, at 8:06 am, I transferred the amount from my wife’s Wema Bank account to Andy’s Sterling Bank account. Later that morning, at 10:11 am, I received a call from an individual claiming to be the engineer responsible for delivery and installation,” Ugoh told aso.rocks investigates.
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“This person, using a different WhatsApp number, requested an additional N32,500 for changeover and cables. At this point, I realised I had been scammed, especially after another contact during my research, identified as Engineer Joseph A, cursed me and revealed the scam upon learning I had paid someone else.
“The same person I sent N60,000 in May called me on June 7, asking me to complete the payment of N32,500 for installation. He gave my number to the engineer who would deliver and install for me; I did not get his name.”
When aso.rocks investigates contacted Andy, the man who received the N60,000 sent by Ugoh, his line did not connect. He also had not responded to the text sent to him at press time.
The post Lagos Man Loses N60,000 to Facebook Scammers While Trying to Purchase a ‘Fuelless’ Generator appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.