A Nigerian model has recounted a harrowing encounter with a notorious scammer in Abuja who allegedly targets models with fake job offers, only to steal their phones and disappear.
The model shared her experience in a series of TikTok posts, including a photo of the alleged scammer, revealing how she narrowly avoided becoming his next victim.
According to her, the fraudster poses as a modelling agent, often using stolen phones from previous victims to contact new targets.
After gaining their trust, he invites them to staged modelling jobs, then vanishes with their belongings.
She explained that her ordeal began when a friend she identified as Vera messaged her about a supposed modelling opportunity.
She agreed, and shortly after, a stranger contacted her via WhatsApp, requesting Polaroid pictures and claiming that his “boss” would be in touch soon.
Eventually, she was connected with the so-called “boss,” who arranged a meeting at a studio, where he appeared familiar with the receptionist. He then introduced her to a makeup artist, saying another model would soon arrive.
She recalled that the suspect encouraged her to leave her bag behind while going for the make-up, but she rebuffed him because she was angry that the man pressured her to enter the rain.
While the makeup artist began her work, the man remained present. Once the makeover was complete, he escorted the model to a nearby location for a supposed photoshoot. But during the session, he disappeared without notice.
“When we were taking pictures, the makeup artist started looking for him. She asked where he was, and I said I didn’t know. Then she told me he hadn’t paid her,” the model said.
Attempts to reach him by phone failed, as his number had become unreachable.
Realising they had both been scammed, the makeup artist called the police. Armed officers arrived and briefly detained the model until she explained the full story.
The model warned that the scammer has a recurring strategy: using stolen phones to contact victims’ friends, luring them in under false pretences, and then robbing them.
The model said the receptionist said the man asked for her phone to make a call, too, but she did not give him.
“This is what the particular person has been doing and going scot-free,” she added.
See the video of the full narration here.
