I lost $600 today at the over-crowded Balogun market in Lagos, Nigeria.

I went to meet with two business women and bought a bag for my Sweetest. The whole place was congested as thousands of people were buying and selling goods and the Christmas shopping makes Balogun to buzz with activities. I needed $600 to pay my editor for my new book. I decided to patronize the local foreign exchange dealers nearby and paid them N82, 800 for $600. I never suspected that they were fake and I left to make the money transfer at the Zenith Bank nearby. Whilst I was waiting, I asked one of the workers to check the dollars and he discovered that they were fake. I was disappointed and upset, but not shocked, because sharp practices are common on the streets of Lagos. This was my first time of being duped. The three criminals must be happy that they got away with my hard earned money and delayed the payment of my editor.

Do not make the mistake I made today.

You sound almost flip about the whole thing; wasn't the money yours? I mean, if I lost N82,000, I'd cry till Christmas was over and I still wouldn't have cried enough.

The guy is packing!

as a nigerian, once i have changed money/bought shares/bought fancy electronics theres always a voice in my head saying 'this money may have entered bush'

you won't believe the ish nigerians get up to, esp if u don't have craze. once at an LG outlet, they almost sold me a used home thaetre system. if io hadn't insisted on opening the frayed box, it would have been another story later - naija land goods sold in good condition cannot be returned/30 day warranty

That really sucks. Next time deal with mallams

I sincerely hate losing money

ahhhh
na today u just dey change money?
Next time, u'll take the mallam to the bank or u call a well known mallam to meet u at the bank.
Aprt from buying fake currencies, u run the risk of being attacked if some street urchins know ure carrying foreign currency

lessons learnt sha . hope u no go mess up next time
kai, na beer money u don throway so
sorry