THE TRAGEDY OF BUYING THROUGH SWAPIX APP: Beware of SWAPIX By KC STANLEY

Sometimes, I ask myself certain questions about things that concerns our country Nigeria. I am so discouraged to be in a system where trust is an illusion and fraudsters are at every corner trying to carter away with the hard earned money of people. SWAPIX APP is the home of fraudsters who are eyes red to establish themselves from people’s money.

It is around some months that I found this app called SWAPIX. For me, it is a prayer answered at that first time. I see series of used items of a considerable cheaper rates. Looking into it closely, I discovered that the builder uses it as a platform to advertise ADS by which people could buy depending on personal negotiation of the seller.

In my usual way, I have desired to change some of my worn out things-my car inclusive. I happened to see the Car which I had wanted to buy on Swapix. To my utmost surprise, some of them are so cheap as tagged in the price. Sometimes, I begin to wonder why a car item could be sold at that cheaper price. Of course, I could make some argument in my head, that it could be a person who needs money urgently. It is laughable to see some of the price tags. Such cheaper rate of items had attracted me to open a business link with some of the car dealers. I called many of them, they mostly said that they stays around the borders like Seme border, Ogun State border. Daura border, Sokotoo border and many other borders. Some of them would claim to be custom officer.

I had decided to go into this investigation and see the outcome. Of course, I had in mind that in the course of my investigations, if it happens to be true that such high rated cars are sold at very cheaper rate, then I would get myself a good car. In dealing with them, I was so open and sincere to each of the people I called. Since, I came to Lagos for a break, I decided to visit Seme border in Badagry, which connects Ghana, Cotonou and other Countries. The woman who claimed to be a Custom officer with the phone number 08062697002 identifies herself with the name Mrs. Rose-Mary. I called her about my desired car, of which she is also marketing. She was positive that I could get the car delivered to my desired location. He said I should deposit the sum of money to cater for the maintenance and fuelling of the car. She said that I should pay to her the sum of N10, 000 for the car to be delivered to my residence. But I decided to meet her on her location and check the stability of the vehicle.

Arriving there, I spoke with her that I am at an open location, that she should come and pick me up. Remember that I am the one doing all the callings. She said that she is sending her boy to come and negotiate with me. I waited for some minutes, say 30 minutes but I did not see her, not even her boy. I have to call her, she said that I should come to T & T office. At this, I became suspicious that something dangerous is really fishing. I have to enter the custom office at the Provost office and I narrated the story to the officer on seat, and he quickly confirms that it is a fraud and that they are really getting such cases on a frequent basis. I called the girl and I told her to speak with the custom officer. She identifies herself as Mrs Rose- a clearing agent. The custom officer then asked her to come to the office, but we waited for her, but she is not coming. Meanwhile, the Officer said categorically that the T & T office is only located in Abuja head-quarter. I left the place disappointed but I have satisfied my inquisitions.

I have to embark on another adventure connected with Swapix just to confirm the earlier one. This time around, I got to send some people to the far north, precisely Zuru in Kebbi State. It happens exactly as it is of the first one. The name of this supposed Car dealer as he told me is Kanu Bethel, with the number 08162124031. He gave this direction Opposite UMCA Shopping Complex, Zuru, Kebbi, Nigeria. The 2 mechanics I sent which I paid for their transport and their feeding coupled with the risk of road transportation, with the complexities of faint knowledge of the location. The man told me to pay into his account certain amount of money for transporting the car to my residence and fuelling. I ignored that with the hope that if I sent somebody, such a deal could be sealed. He also gave me option of coming if I really want to check the car and see its workability. That is why I sent people since I am not around.

When they got there, they called his number, but he said that he is out of town and that he will send his boys to meet them. They waited without no positive result and the man was even ignoring my calls and the calls of those whom I sent. Later he picked my call and said that his boys are already there, that he is about to give them the numbers of those that I sent. And that is all about the journey. He never picked the calls again. It is incredible and disappointing. They have to sleep over some place, and start off their journey back home, on the following day. I really spent more that N 40,000 in that journey. It was painful. Although I told myself that it is better that the money is thrown away than given to any fraudster. I could not have imagine a person using my brain.

As they were coming back, I thought about connecting somebody from Sokota, but the story goes on and on with the same strategy of trying to collect money for fuel and car maintenance or more still directing you to the border where they would want to attack you or kidnap you and collect the money that you had on you.

I lodged my complaints to the admin of swapix through facebook portal and they were unable to give a tangible security of people’s money. For me, it seems they are accomplice to such fraudulent activities.

I write to tell you to disengage yourself from their activities, for you will certainly regret any moves to do business with them. Their missions are duping, kidnapping, and stealing. Any of these three actions could be accomplished if one fails them, as you can get from these stories.

I also want you to understand that those who advertise on facebook portal that they are custom officers marketing goods impounded by Custom Service are all frauds. Do not transact any business with them. They will take your waste your time, your energy and even your money. Any post with such advertisement should be blocked, for your own safety.