In our previous article, we broke down everything you need to know about abafere ba mobile money, the fraudsters behind mobile money scams, and how to avoid falling victim to their tricks.
But did you know that mobile money fraud is just one of the many schemes scoundrels use to steal money from you, and that another common one comes disguised as a job offer?
Picture this: you’ve just graduated or still at university, a time when money is a constant challenge. Any job offer, no matter how modest, feels like a lifeline. Even when you’re already working, given the Ugandan economy, your salary rarely covers all your needs. One of those mornings, you receive a text message reading “A mobile phone can earn 80K a day, contact the teacher: [Link to WhatsApp Business number].” It’s tempting to check it out, just in case it’s real.
So, out of curiosity, you click the link to text this so-called ‘teacher’ or ‘job manager.’ Pause, if this sounds like you, know that over 90% of cyberattacks begin with links sent via text, email, or social media. Fortunately, these job scammers don’t operate like foreign hackers; they’re often ordinary Ugandans using WhatsApp or Telegram to trap you.
Once you’re on WhatsApp, inside the chat, you’ll likely see a low-resolution profile photo with some vague phrases like ‘make money online’ or ‘now hiring’ paired with a recently created WhatsApp Business account displaying details like a description barely a month old. That alone is a clear sign that something isn’t right. But driven by what killed the cat, you still go ahead and drop a hey.
The response will be smooth, friendly, and convincing, explaining how everything works, making it sound easy, and assuring you of the UGX 80,000 daily income. Once you’re hooked, they ask for a small fee, UGX 25,000 or even more, either to register you, unlock training, or grant you access to the opportunity. The moment you send that money, you’re immediately blocked, and uhh!
How To Report Scammer Number?
Making it nearly impossible to trace them, most of these fraudsters use WhatsApp numbers linked to SIM cards registered under fake names or foreign codes like +1 or +9, many of which are illegally obtained. The local mobile money number you send the money to is often different and used only to collect and withdraw the money before you can reverse the transaction. Try to call the line? It’s off. Your cash is gone, and there’s no way to recover it.
In 2020, I received a call from this chap claiming to offer a managerial job at the Coca-Cola factory in Namanve. He promised UGX 800,000 monthly pay, plus a UGX 100,000 weekly allowance.
He asked if I could make it to the factory that very day to fill out the application or risk losing the spot to someone else. When I said I was far away, he quickly suggested I send my academic documents through WhatsApp along with UGX 35,000 to his mobile money line, so he could process the application on my behalf. A big scam, but if you’re in a hurry or desperate, you might easily think, what’s 35K for an 800K-per-month job? That’s the trick!
Fortunately for me, I knew who he was, and before he could continue, I sharply replied, “Man tonfera,” don’t try to scam me, because I had already seen someone fall for the same trick a year earlier.
That’s the pattern with these fake job scams, including those printed on A4 black-and-white flyers pinned to electric poles and walls around Kampala. They promise you big earnings while asking for a small fee to get you in, and once you’ve sent the money, they disappear. It’s the same strategy used by the likes of AIM Global and Superlife sijui life is super, where lowlifes are dressed in suits to act as testimonials and sell fake dreams to desperate jobseekers. They use convincing speeches to tell fresh graduates they can earn quick money, but all they want is your ka little money. If 500 people each send UGX 20,000, that alone in one district is a good business for them.
There’s more to getting a real job and making real money than quick promises. Don’t lose your hard-earned money to online scammers selling illusions. That UGX 25,000 could get you through days or a week, as you continue searching for a genuine opportunity.
How to Verify if a Job Offer is Real
If someone contacts you claiming to offer a job at a well-known organisation, say URA or Stabex, don’t rush to follow their instructions.
First, visit the company’s official website and check their Careers or Jobs section to confirm if they’re actually hiring. If you don’t see anything there, use the official contact numbers listed on the site to call and inquire about open positions and the application process. Always use Google to find the official website; don’t click on any links sent to you by the person claiming to offer the job.
Once you have this information, go back to the person who contacted you. If their process matches what the company confirmed, that’s a good sign. But if they’re asking for payments upfront or there’s no clear link between them and the actual company, it’s likely a scam.
Be smart. Don’t fall for it.
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