Scammers Target Ekiti Shops: Shop Owner Shares Recent Experience, Urges Business Owners to Be Vigilant

A disturbing incident has rocked the business community in Ekiti State, highlighting the growing threat of scams targeting local shops. A shop owner in Ado Ekiti recently shared with EKITI NEWS 247 a harrowing experience of being swindled out of two bags of rice and N40,000 in cash by two scammers.

The incident occurred shortly after the shop received a fresh delivery of goods from Ilorin. The shop owner had left the premises, leaving their sister in charge. The scammers, arriving in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna, told the lady in the shop they wanted to buy two bags of rice and N40,000 in cash, promising an instant transfer.

They loaded the rice into their car and attempted to pay with a bad ATM card. While the lady was processing the transaction on a POS machine, they made their escape, fleeing in their vehicle. Fortunately, the shop owner was able to track down the suspects’ vehicle using CCTV footage, which captured the plate number.

The vehicle was linked to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) database, leading the authorities to the owner’s details. The police were informed, and the car owner was apprehended at the back of a filling station on Ikere Road, Ado Ekiti. The car owner pleaded for mercy and agreed to refund the stolen goods and costs incurred during the investigation.

The full amount was refunded, thanks to the swift action taken by the shop owner and the authorities. This incident serves as a wake-up call for business owners in Ekiti State to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with strangers, especially when conducting large transactions.

The scammers’ ability to deceive the shop attendant highlights the need for businesses to educate their staff on potential scams and to verify the authenticity of transactions. In light of this incident, we urge all business owners in Ekiti State to be on high alert and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to similar scams.

Ensure that you verify the authenticity of transactions, and never let your guard down when dealing with strangers. If you have any information about this scam or have been a victim, please contact the authorities immediately.