Residents of Auchi in Edo State are reeling after falling victim to a large-scale scam involving a fraudulent rice seller who allegedly made away with over ₦20 million.
The man, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly set up a shop offering 50kg bags of rice at an incredibly low price of ₦20,000 per bag. With food prices skyrocketing nationwide, the offer drew huge attention. Within a short time, the initial stock of over 100 bags was sold out, as people rushed to grab the bargain.
After the rapid sell-out, the supposed shop owner assured customers that more rice would be restocked. He then encouraged prospective buyers to pre-order by paying in advance. Believing the initial sale was legitimate, over 1,000 individuals are said to have transferred ₦20,000 each to secure a bag from the next batch.
But by the next morning, panic spread—the man had vanished without a trace.
Social media exploded after a user, @KunnujiC, posted about the scam, sparking national outrage. Reactions poured in from across Nigeria, with many users expressing frustration over how easily the man was able to pull off the deception. Others lamented the increasing desperation that drives people to fall for such schemes.
Some online commenters suggested the rice may have been stolen goods, while others blamed the victims for trusting a deal that seemed too good to be true.
The incident adds to the growing list of financial scams targeting vulnerable Nigerians under the guise of food relief and discount goods. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but many victims are now calling for a full investigation to track down the suspect and recover their funds.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
