Stories by Olabisi Olaleye [email protected] 08094000013, 08111813040
For several years, Advanced Fee Fraud (also known as 419) has gained prominence in Nigeria such that many people have lost huge sums of money to the scam.
Today, however, the trend is tilting towards the online platform and many unsuspecting victims have been swindled by people they have not met in real life but who are technically their friends on social media especially Facebook platform.
What the scammers do is to impersonate public figures now is the act starts from accepting unknown friends.
According to a source, in one of the security agencies in the country, more than N900 billion had been reported lost by various victims in the last two years.
A recent one, was a victim, who was swindled of N800,000 by a fake Femi Adesina (Impersonating the Special Adviser on Media &Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari) on Facebook for a job placement.
As if that was not enough, the same fake Adesina was reportedly chatting with a staff of Daily Sun and requested for money from her on the premise that the Federal Government was yet to pay salaries.Meanwhile, another scammer was reported to have impersonated Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Technologies Ltd on the same Facebook, with the promise of getting jobs in choice sectors of the economy for a huge fee.
The list of other public figures, who have been impersonated include Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, Ini Edo, Senator Remi Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
However, there are several ways to avoid being swindled on the social media platform, paramount among which is vigilance.
Vigilance
A Facebook or other social media platforms user has to be wary of people who ask sensitive but personal questions. The social media critic once said, it is a game of monopoly, where no real people exist but live in a world of fantasy.
Request for money
During a chat, if anyone request for money or business deal while hiding under the guise of a public figure, there should be an instant signal since no sane public figure or government official would request or demand money for hospital bill, incentives, project or for whatever reasons.
Freebies
Any contact on social media that claims to have several gift items to dole out under the pretext of followers but with the clause of paying before or on delivery is actually a scammer. Most of such contacts are the lazy and unemployed who latch and misuse opportunities.
Never meet in solitary place
Some scammers would invite their victims on the pretext of familiarisation, if it is not someone known quite well, it’s better to decline or meet at a place with two other companions in a rowdy place. Always have at the back of your mind that most influential people do not have time for frivolities.
Unnecessary family pictures on social media
While it is quite good to post daily updates on Facebook and other social media platforms, psychology experts say that not every detail, family pictures or personal buildings should be displayed. Most people make that mistake. Social media platforms should be for interactive discussions, marketing and promotional sales of products but most recently, have turned into a fashion parade platform
4 harmful effects of mobile phones on kids
Do you let the youngest members of your house use your cell phone? Does your child spend long hours talking on the phone? Do you think it is harmless to give the mobile phone to your child? If yes, then you may have to think twice before doing so!
Today’s children are growing up in a radio-frequency environment that never existed in human history before. The radiation emitted by mobile phones and mobile phone masts can have adverse effects on children. Some include:
1. Health hazard:
In the recent years, there has been a lot of speculation about the impact of cell phone radiation on our body. A study by The Journal of the American Medical Association stirred the debate when it investigated the repercussion the mobile phones could have on the brain activity. The possible health hazards of mobile phones for children are as follows:
a. Non-malignant tumors:
The study has shown that children who use mobile phones have a possibility of developing non-malignant tumor in the brain and ear.
b. Cancer:
The WHO has classified cell phone radiation as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’. Children absorb more than 60 per cent of the radiation into the brain than adults. Their brain’s thinner skin, tissues, and bones allow them to absorb the radiation twice than the grown-ups. Their developing nervous system makes them more vulnerable to this ‘carcinogen’.
c. Effects on the brain:
Scientists have discovered that just two minutes of the phone call can alter the electoral activity of the kid’s brain for up to an hour. The radio waves from the mobile penetrate deep into the brain, not just around the ear. The disturbed brain activity could impair children’s learning ability other behaviourial problems if they have used the phone during the break time.
2. Academics:
Children, just like the teens, are addicted to mobile phones. They play games, chat and talk to their friends on their mobile phone all the time. Along with the school supplies, many students make their daily trips to their school with their mobile phones. They talk on the phone during the free time and send messages during the classes. Thus, they miss the lesson taught and fall behind the other students.
3. Inappropriate behaviour:
Use of cell phones can lead children to engage in inappropriate behaviours. Texting and sending inappropriate pictures is a growing problem with teens. The images go in the wrong hands, giving others access to the private photos. Children can also access pornographic sites from their multimedia devices.
4. Malpractice In Exams:
Most of the students indulge in exam malpractices and cheating during the internal and external examinations. Some make use of calculator while other store information in it. Some also use it to send objective answers to those in the examination hall. It can end the student’s career if caught.
– Courtesy: momjunction.com