As I settled down in my office on Monday the
2nd of Nov., 2015, attending to some research
students, my phone beeped with an incoming
SMS which is supposedly from a friend. In the
word of the sender of the text message
“Gbenga, how re u doing? I hav been trying ur
line network is bad, is Adiele Bright. ur NCCF
member@ Benue State. I work with shell
(S.P.D.C) Oil Company in Rivers State. Hav u got
job? Recruitment is on now, if u will apply call
me now 4 more details”. The used phone
number is 08162689364 (which i later saved as
Ole-1 (meaning Thief-1) on my phone).
My memory zoomed into action, trying to
recollect the identity of the so called ADIELE
BRIGHT who claimed to be “my member” in
NCCF during NYSC. I became more puzzled
because I served in Benue State and I was
indeed committed to NCCF during my NYSC
though I never headed NCCF nor was I part of
the state executives, so how come this beloved
brother claimed to be “my member”? Am I a
Senior Pastor or the G.O of NCCF?
Since, I wasn’t looking for job, I decided to
ignore the SMS instructions. In fact, I even
counselled my students to be excellent in
whatever they do and to be associated with
good people so that they can be remembered
when the need arises! My foolishness… or
ignorance rather…
After few minutes (roughly 30 mins), the
number called me again and challenged me for
not calling nor responding to his message… I
started suspecting foul play even though I
wasn’t interested in the conversation, I decided
to play along… If for nothing, I can at least help
some people with my story.
We got talking and he tried to lure me with how
lucrative the job is with an initial take home of
N550, 000 monthly with a potential of increase
to N850, 000 monthly within three months of
active service! Oops! That’s not bad a pay I
guess especially at such a time as this in Nigeria!
I indeed played along and he told me how his
brother in law helped him to secure the job and
that he has already convinced him to help me.
He said he told his brother in law how good I
am to him and how my messages (God’s
message I guess) helped his life and his spiritual
growth and that he will really desire that I get
the job since it can change my financial status
within few years! I appreciated him even though
I couldn’t remember ever meeting him, and he
immediately sent his brother in law’s number to
me who is said to be Dr. Charles Gbandi, the
Human Resources Manager of SPDC, Port
Harcourt, Nigeria (His phone number is
08062902597, saved as Ole -2 (Theif-2) on my
phone). I proceeded to put a call through to the
said Dr. Charles Who was quite impressed with
my resume. He later forwarded his email
address requesting for my CV and other
supporting credentials (His email address is
[email protected]). I complied
immediately and on Tuesday (3rd Nov, 2015), I
received a mail from the email address which
reads: “You are hereby advised to print out this
form with hard copies colored print and fill it
correctly, affix your passport photograph on the
provision made for it. Scan it and return to us
immediately via email along with your complete
data, statement of results as well as your
discharged certificate for proper screening and
final approval. Thanks, Blessing John, Secretary
to the HRM, SPDC”. I also received a SMS from
SHELL-NIG inviting me for an interview at the
Shell conference hall. Port-Harcourt by 10:30am
on 13th and 14th November, 2015. They also
said I should come along with a
recommendation letter from the Royal Highness
of Bonny LGA and a medical fitness letter.
As expected, he told me that the job is meant
for an indigene of the town (of which I’m not)
and that they have to lobby the Royal Highness
for the letter which will cost me just N50, 000
and another N30, 000 for the recommendation
letter from the LG chairman and Medical fitness
certificate. He told me to rush quickly to the
nearest branch of First bank and as soon as I
get there, I should alert him so that he can
send the account details. All these happened
between 10am on Monday and 4pm on
Tuesday.
As early as 8am this morning (4th Nov, 2015), I
feigned to be at the nearest first bank branch
and indeed, the said DR CHARLES GBANDI sent
me a first bank account details with Account
Name: GODWIN THANKGOD and Account
Number: 3093921003, First Bank. I have been
trying to play along but I couldn’t play any
further since I’m not ready to part with my
God-provided resources with those miscreants
who think they are smart enough to dupe every
Nigerian thinking we are all gullible as they are!
Till now, they are still awaiting the initial deposit
of N50, 000, still disturbing me with bugging
calls. May they wait till nemesis catch up with
them and till they repent of their sins if they
will.
Friends, I have decided to publish this story with
all the facts because nobody knows who their
next target will be. If you can, you can
investigate the true identity of those phone
numbers using online application softwares… Be
smart enough to know that any job prospect
that requests that you pay any amount of
money is a scam.
Please share this till every unsuspecting innocent
friend knows that these predators are all over!
Don't just resist corruption, let us expose the
dirty, ugly thing!
Wisdom is profitable to direct
[hupso]