How To Get Money Back After Being Scammed Online In Nigeria
Have you been scammed online? It is getting frequent not just in Nigeria but the world at large. If they don’t rob you physically, they rob you online. I know how it feels when someone somewhere accesses your bank account unauthorized and withdrew your hard earn money. I’ve been a victim and fortunately, I was able to recover my money. Though this article is meant for Nigerians, other countries can learn from this guide.
My story…
I saw an online loan app promising to give a N1,000,000 loan. I was sceptical and curiosity made me download the app. After the whole process of filling in details including the ATM card, I had to wait for 24hrs. The next day, I got a notification of my loan request, to my dismay I was told I could only be offered N4,000. Unfortunately, there is no way I could remove my details; I uninstalled the app.
The second day (evening) while going through my emails, I noticed there was a card transaction alert of N5044.68. I did not take it to heart because I felt maybe it was an alert of one of my numerous online transactions. At night, while I was about to sleep, I got another notification of a card alert transaction. This time I knew something was wrong. Immediately, I blocked my ATM card via my bank app. I afterwards, called my bank customer care.
She asked if I had used the card to apply for a loan or do anything online? I told her yes. She then asked me to block the card and she will report the issue to the fraud department. I wasn’t satisfied with her answer. I then asked her that I need to know where the card is been used.
She told me my card was used on Flutterwave (will explain later). As soon I said that I hang up and went to Flutterwave website (fraud section). After filling in my details, I saw the info of my scammer. His name and email. By wisdom, I did not try to reach out to him (the scammer) directly.
If I had done that, I may never recover my money. He may quickly withdraw all the money in his account. I sent an email to Flutterwave giving them details of what had transpired. After 7days, my money was returned back to me.
How To Recover Your Money After Being Scammed Online: What you need to do…
90% of online transactions are done through a payment gateway. Let me simplify this. When you use your ATM to purchase anything online or you’re applying for something that requires your ATM details, most often, there is a payment gateway involved instead of a direct bank transaction.
If you were scammed online, or your ATM was used to purchase things online unauthorized, chances are, you can recover your money. Online payment gateways allow businesses and individuals to easily collect payments online. The best online payment gateways in Nigeria for example are:
- Paystack
- Flutterwave
- Interswitch
- Voguepay
- PayU
And there is 90% assurance that the scammer will make use of one of these gateways. Every country has its own gateways so don’t panic if you don’t see yours on the list above.
How To Get Money Back After Being Scammed Online: The process…
Once you have been scammed online especially from these loan apps. Don’t panic.
- Step1: Block your card (through bank app or call customer care)
- Step2: Ask customer care where your Atm is been used. Which payment gateway?
- Step3: If customer care gives you a name. For example, if you’re told that your card is been used on Flutterwave, then congratulations…
How To Get Money Back After Being Scammed Online: Next move…
Hang up and head over to the payment gateway website. Go to their fraud section/chargeback section. If you can’t find it, then go to their contact us page and contact them via mail or phone call. Give them all the requested information and wait for them.
How To Get Money Back After Being Scammed Online: Flutterwave process…
My scammer used Flutterwave…
Visit here fill the form
If your information is correct, you will see the scammer information. But don’t contact the scammer. Send an email via hi@flutterwavego.com. Ensure you follow them up every 24hours.
Warning:
- Never contact the scammer directly. You may never recover your money.
- Don’t wait for your bank to help you recover your money, it is a waste of time. Banks have too many protocols.
- If you were scammed online via any payment gateway irrespective of your country. Be it, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, United States, Canada and the likes… Contact the payment gateway directly within 5days of being scammed. You will get your money back.
See picture proof
Recommended Loan Apps
- Carbon
- Palmcredit
- Fairmoney
So far, I’ve been using these apps for 3 years counting now… No problem. I started using Fairmoney this year. The first encounter I was offered 80k, the second time, I was offered 300k…
Share your experience via the comment section. If you need help to recover your money from online loan scammers, reach me via hello@fatherprada.com.
Shalom!