₦airaland Forum

Scammers are very desperate these days, especially on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. They use fake deals and irresistible offers to trick buyers. Let me tell you a real-life story to open your eyes to their tactics and help you avoid falling into their trap.

A Costly Lesson: My Friend's Experience
On November 12, 2024, a close family friend in Enugu was scammed by two individuals on Facebook Marketplace. These scammers, Ighodalo Hope Irekponor (PalmPay Account: 8147955704) and Bisola Ojo (Providus Account: 9633782280), posed as sellers offering Jikokoa charcoal stoves at certain bargain prices. They sweetened the deal with a fake promotion: "Buy two, get one free."

Excited, my friend called the number provided (07077533642). Initially, Hope Irekponor handled the call but later passed it on to Bisola Ojo. The conversation seemed legit. After agreeing on delivery arrangements, my friend transferred ₦90,000 to Irekponor’s PalmPay account for four stoves (including two promo units).

Their Tricks And Schemes
After receiving the payment, Hope Irekponor claimed they hadn’t received the transfer. She then insisted that my friend pay the same amount to Bisola Ojo’s Providus account, promising to refund the first payment if it eventually came through.
Smelling trouble, my friend called me for advice. Together, we contacted Bisola Ojo, who confirmed they had received the money and assured that delivery would happen the next day, Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
They even provided a supposed delivery man’s phone number (08169930792). My friend called the man, who claimed to be in Enugu and promised delivery within hours.

The Scam Revealed
The delivery never happened. Days passed, and all attempts to contact the scammers failed. They eventually blocked my friend’s number.
To confirm our suspicions, we reached out to Burns Manufacturing, the makers of Jikokoa stoves, in Opebi, Ikeja. Their response?
• No sales promotion was running.
• The prices offered by the scammers were far too low to be genuine.
• They advised us to report the matter immediately.

What We Are Doing About It
We’re escalating this case to warn others and hold these scammers accountable. We have already reported them to their Bankers and Online market places where they are found.

How You Can Stay Safe
1. Watch Out for Unrealistic Deals: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Verify Sellers: Research their profile and check reviews before paying.
3. Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid direct transfers. Opt for payment methods that offer buyer protection.
4. Call the Manufacturer: Contact the official brand to confirm the legitimacy of offers.
5. Record Everything: Save chats, receipts, and phone calls as evidence.

Please Know This
Scammers thrive on trust and naivety. Stay alert, question offers, and never rush into transactions. Let my friend's experience be a lesson to safeguard your hard-earned money.

I need an e-book cover designer. It would be helpful to see previous jobs done.

I have discovered that our personal prayer altar is as important as what we say in prayer if we must score with every prayer we make. More particularly so when we pray for our straying spouses.

If you’ve been praying for your misbehaving spouse without much to show for your efforts, it may be necessary to examine how you set your prayer platform.

There is a place to stand and an attitude to hold to make your prayer a quick success. God, to whom all prayer is addressed, is a God of order who has specified the rules of the prayer that would get His attention and intervention.

Prayer altar is not a podium or pulpit but a place, time and attitude for personal intercessory prayer that need quick answers.

See a suggestion on how to go about it HERE.

Someone said recently that if you had to work on your marriage then it’s not working.

I think he got it all wrong. Marriage is work, and that work is fun. It’s just a matter of attitude.

Why would somebody abandon their marriage at the slightest shaking, seeking divorce?
Curiously, these same people take all manner of sh*t to keep their careers going while they won’t think twice
before ending their marital vows.

I encountered some solid counsel and 7 keys that would help any marriage rise above trouble starters.
They are:
1. Not all marriages are the same
2. Your marriage is what you call it
3. There is a time when it pays to say nothing
4. Two wrong would birth many other wrongs
5. Place your spouse above your kids
6. Are you sick and tired about marriage?
7. Don’t play down 5ex
You can read the details here

[size=14pt]Happy birthday, Sir! God has used you to bless me tremendously.
You will live many more wonderful, rich, holy years ahead!
God bless you!!![/size]

Have you noticed that the eligible single men dread suggestions of tying the nuptial knots? Never mind the excuses; they don't hold water.

Ladies unwittingly stop these men from taking steps to the next level by giving out all the privileges of married life without the responsibilities.
I don't mean to break your heart but if you wash up for him, warm his bed, prepare his meals (sometimes with your own money) etc, what's left in marriage? Perhaps only to have kids, if you have not done that too!

Other reasons why he may find it unnecessary to want to spend his life with you are:

1. We have something good going, why interrupt it with marriage? (I'm enjoying myself and that's all I care.)

2. I love what you give but I have seen it all so you are no good for the next level of my life

3. There is still plenty of time to find out more of each other (and perhaps disqualify you!)

4. I’m scared of marriage responsibility

5. There is somebody else who already has my commitment (or I think I need to 'sample' more girls and really know)

6. It’s not time yet (meaning: I need to have more of you without commitment)

All these wrong mindset can change if you know how to get him change his mind and make the right move. See the full details HERE.

It is quite possible for the man to hit her again because it appears nothing has also changed about the woman's mouth.

There is still room for reconciliation between them. They really need counseling (both of them), by the clergy or a qualified psychologist.

But there is a special way to handle a wife batterer outside divorce or separation. See it HERE

So you've noticed lately that your husband is not his exuberant self when he is at home? Let's look at some of those things that could have brought about this undesirable change.

If you look round enough, you'll find that you are not alone in this matter. That means it's not entirely your making that things turned the way they are. At least we can presume that in the meantime.

Another thing is not to assume or jump into conclusions that your hubby is having an affair. I did not say that this is not a possibility but I suggest you don't accept it (without proof), otherwise you mess things the more. And your marriage may not be the same again if you are wrong.

I repeat – infidelity is not the first thing to think if your husband is no longer the happy, loving man he used to be.

The other matter we need to establish is that your husband doesn't necessarily hate you or your company, though this is difficult to absorb going by the current happenings. Unless something substantial has been going on around you (or with him), it's unlikely he'll suddenly start to hate you.

Seriously, if your husband is bored with you, something is not right somewhere. What factors could possibly turn an enthusiastic man into a moody heap? What remedies are available to the wife who wants to put a stop to this 'evil spirit' in her man? Check here for full discussion.

This Tiwa Savage girl sure knows how to get you guys talking about her all the time. She is succeeding.
This sort of publicity is good for any entertainer. Don't mistake her for a fool; I think she is quite clever .

Give your life to Jesus, obey and follow Him. Whatever that was will be history forever.

Didn't see Marina in this list. Is Lagos still Lagos without Marina?

I'm not impressed by this CBN reason for imposing this cost on ATM users. When these charges were waived in 2012, the questions were asked and was explained: the banks would absorb the so-called costs. What has changed in just a couple of years?
This is the stuff our policy makers are made of: very shallow and myopic.

One administration makes a move, we applaud; next day a somersault.

Now the ATM use that should discourage cash handling within the banking halls doesn't matter much to CBN.

Welcome to the days of filled banking halls, tally nos etc.

Lovers are fond of asking their partners, "since we met have you ever been unfaithful or cheated on me?"

Recently, a poll showed that many lovers were really bothered about their partners fidelity (or infidelity) in the past.
Those who wanted to know what he did then were suspicious that, given the same opportunity, there would be a repeat.
On the other side, people cared less saying that 'bygone be bygone' as they don't want any such issues to ruin their present happiness.

What do you think should be the attitudes of lovers over their partners conduct in the past? If you find out something incriminating will you be able to ignore it and continue with your lives?

If you shun his behaviour in the past and something shows up as consequence or 'follow-up' can you handle the shock?

For reasons why you should inquire of what your partner did behind your back SEE HERE.

Is there need flogging a dead horse? Or shall dry bones rise again to be a mighty army?
So many couples live in self-denial to a marriage that is no more than 'polite enemies' co-habitation.

Usually a comatose marriage is known by its body language, not for their express admission/confession.
By the time a party cries out for divorce or third party rescue, its painfully late.

Don't give up on your marriage too early but also discern when you are holding on to air.
Understand obvious signs of a crashing marriage and do what you have to do. Be guided.

If you are a wife, you need to be the very best there is. If you are aspiring to be, this is the time to start building up. It's a learnable skill.

The needs of man (and woman) has not changed from the time of grandfather Adam. What has changes is the method of serving or satisfying those needs.

In many cases, girls are uninformed (or misinformed) about what those needs are. So they enter marriage ill-prepared or half-baked. Some are too proud, busy or careless in attending to their proper wifely duty until it becomes too late.

Note that it is only your husband that can adjudge you a superb wife. No other person or group is qualified except in agreement to your husband's verdict. See how simple it is to be a superb wife and stamp an indelible impression in the heart of your husband HERE.

This question may seem funny, but it can really prevent a heartbreak if taken seriously. Many men are 'captives' of unwholesome movies and pictures available freely in the internet today. While the debate is ongoing whether it hurts anyone or not, lives and relationships are paying dearly for the effects.
The fact is that these movies change the perception of their patrons and raise immoral levels to criminal dimensions.
For example, do you know that recent research has linked the rise in rape, child por.n and incest to these 'adult' movies?
So it pays every one to be interested in what their partner sees in those private moments.
For a guide how to handle this sensitive issue with your partner see HERE

In today's world of myriad of temptations and influences, every woman should know how to pray for her husband effectively.
This is more so if your husband, by his vocation or interests, is exposed to the females.

Remember that we said the prayer is to preserve him from temptations and foul spirits. So your prayer should be properly targeted to achieve your result in the end.

For proper guide and potent prayer points (with scriptures) go HERE.

It makes sense in Economics not to pay for what you can get free. Somehow this thought seem to be prevailing in many romantic affairs (especially live-in lovers). When men get all the benefits of having a woman with the option of dumping her for another at their whim, then marriage seems a bore and an unnecessary burden.

Women, in such situations, ultimately lose out in many of such affairs that pack up.

What is the mindset of these men who will not commit? Please perish the thought of 'no money', it's a ploy...YES!

Inside the mind (sometimes it's expressed too) of many men are:

* We have something good going, why interrupt it?

* I love you as you are but you are no good for the next level of my life

* There is still plenty of time to find out more of each other

* I’m scared of marriage responsibility

* There is somebody else who already has my commitment

* It’s not time yet

For the best ways to make a man commit (without juju, of course!), CHECK HERE

There are very few ways to keep a man committed to his wife for life. One of these is for the wife to show respect for her husband always.
I call this the never-failing charm of a wise wife. 'Rationalize' this as an elite lady and your home will be another war zone.

To respect your husband means to:

1. Support your husband’s choices and decisions. At least make it apparent, then add your own input.

2. Not criticizing him before others (this includes your children). Even if he is obviously wrong, don't do it in public.

3. Seeking ways to make him look good and make things easier for him. If he perceives this, happy are ye in thy home.

For other ways you can really make your home peaceful and sweet as a wife CHEK HERE

Top ten professional exams (shouldn't it be qualification because that's when you get rewarded) by what criteria?
Should it be by the population of students or practitioners?
Should it be by need, value or contribution in the market place?
Should it be by trend, fashion or reputation?
I think the list suggested above can not stand proper test of any valid formula.
Professional exams should not leave out world's leading industries. Remember, Medicine, Engineering, Law, Banking, Military etc are professions that also conduct professional training, exams and certification.

The mother 'owns' the man while he is still a boy. Once he is man enough he gets a new owner (wife) who takes over from the ex-owner!
This ownership thing is just language convenience as, indeed, nobody owns anybody. I would say that God owns everybody and the wife and mother are just partners-in-progress.

Overall, cheating is predominant among men. But it depends on culture or environment. Most men would cheat if they had the opportunity to 'do' and get away. Man's infidelity is much tolerated by the African environment and some religions.
On the other hand, woman's infidelity is sacrilege, and attracts very severe sanction or consequence.