In what’s shaping up to be one of the most audacious local scams of 2025, a man from Edo State has allegedly made away with more than ?20 million after luring over a thousand unsuspecting buyers with the promise of selling 50kg bags of rice for just ?20,000.
The man, whose full identity remains unconfirmed, advertised heavily on Facebook, WhatsApp, and community groups, claiming he had access to subsidized rice directly from the warehouse. He assured buyers that the rice was genuine, affordable, and part of a "government-backed food relief initiative." To add credibility, he shared edited videos and pictures of well-stocked rice warehouses and receipts from supposed past buyers.
Tempted by the unusually low price at a time when food inflation has battered household budgets, many people rushed to place orders. Some paid for multiple bags hoping to resell and profit. The scammer even offered extra discounts for bulk orders and encouraged customers to “secure their slot” before stocks ran out.
As orders poured in, the man reportedly collected money via bank transfers and cash deposits, sending payment confirmations and promised delivery dates. But once the number of buyers crossed the thousand mark and payments exceeded ?20 million, he went completely silent.
By the time frustrated customers began demanding updates, his phone lines had been switched off, his WhatsApp went offline, and all his social media accounts were deleted. A few victims who tried tracing his location discovered that he had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak, disbelief, and empty bank accounts.
Several victims have come together to report the incident to the police, while some have also shared their stories online in hopes of alerting others and possibly tracking him down. One woman who paid for five bags of rice said, “He sounded so convincing. He even prayed with me on the phone and promised to deliver before the weekend. I never imagined it was a scam.”
Authorities in Edo State are said to be investigating the case, though many fear that recovering the stolen funds will be difficult, if not impossible. This incident adds to the growing number of online and community-based frauds that have spiked recently amid worsening economic hardship in Nigeria.
For now, the victims are left with lessons learned the hard way, as the elusive rice dealer remains on the run, having pulled off a ?20 million scam that may sadly never be forgotten.
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