For this week's neighbourhood watch, I will present a trend in the scammer's arsenal. A quick play that targets small and medium-scale businesses, with special focus on grocery shops, which we locally call provision shops.

The scammer spots a target and scouts for reconnaissance, they make a well-planned visit designed to fall when you are not in.

Scammer: I am Victor Udosen, a sales representative from Nyong Essien Ventures. We are on promo sales for the past 3 months....

Shop Attendant: My Madam/Manager is not in.

So he gets the shop owner's number and off he goes.

Makes the call after some time

Scammer: Hello! Good afternoon Madam, I am Victor Udosen, I came to the shop this morning

Shop Owner: So I was told

Scammer: Our promo is almost over, and I want to meet this month's target. So if you buy goods from me, I will give you the 12% promo discount and gift while I meet this month's sales target.
But if you buy goods worth 100 thousand and above, I can arrange a better deal for you

After going back and forth, they agree on something.

Qty	Particulars	Unit	Amount
2	Cartons of hungry man size	19,000	38,000
2	Super pack nuddels	16000	32000
1	Carton of hollandia evap	8,300	8300
3	Packs of full cream Peak	15000	45,000
3	Packs of three crown	15000	45,000
		Total	168,300

15% off = 143,055

Delivery and Payment

The arrangement is payment on delivery, when the goods are delivered, and it is confirmed to be in good condition and as requested. The agreed amount will be paid.

At this point, he calls a shop and orders the following:

2 Cartons of Hungry Man size
2 Super pack noodles
1 Carton of Hollandia Evap
3 Packs of full cream Peak
3 Packs of three crowns

He provides the correct address and agrees on payment upon delivery.

He now calls the shop owner and says, Call me once my delivery guy arrives.

A few minutes later, a fully loaded pickup truck drives in. And ofloads:
2 Cartons of Hungry Man size
2 Super pack noodles
1 Cartons of Hollandia Evap
3 Packs of full cream Peak
3 Packs of three crowns

She calls the supplier to tell him that the goods have arrived and he immediately sends an account number.

The shop owner pays 143,055 Naira into the provided account as the goods are shelved in her shop.

The Drama Starts

After the goods are packed in, the van driver is expecting payment. He talks to the shop owner and she tells him that she has just made a payment.
The van driver calls the office for a confirmation, but it's believed that it could be a network issue.
It all busted when the shop owner said, "Your boss just gave me the account number and I made the transfer"

Delivery Man: She said you just gave her the account number and she paid in.

The shop owner now calls the sales representative and his line is now switched off.

Delivery man: Who did you call?
That is not my boss' number. Which account did you pay into?.... That is not my boss's account.

The number is still not going, and the delivery man wants to take back the goods, but the shop owner will not let him, because she had paid for it.

Conclusion and Invitation

How will you blame in this case? Who was played, the shop owner or the wholesale shop?
Why do people have the time to come up with such smart plays but can not craft something positive?
What can we do to stay on guard against these scams?

I am inviting @dequeen @bela90 @ninapenda, @eliany and @josepha to engage or participate in this contest.

Media Credit

Composer	@manuelhooks
Captured with	Galaxy-A15
Entry type	Community Contest
Organizer	@xkool24
Contest link	Click here
Community	Steem4Nigeria
Date	Tuesday.. 15th July
	(@) 2025