CNF #143.....Risky Business

Emeka is one of my friends that I don't really talk to much because of his pompous attitude. Though we talk occasionally, he is a very nice person and helpful when need arises.

One day, I was just there on m y own doing my thing when Emeka came and introduced an online business to me which he said was very legit. I asked to see it and he showed me and it was very tempting.

I asked him to explain more to me so that I will know how to go about it and Emeka started explaining.

“What you need to do is, you have to invest fifteen thousand naira (#15,000) to start the business and you will get double of it immediately, and you don't need to refer anyone.” He told me.

“Wow! That is nice and very interesting. Are you sure it will work? I asked, feeling eager to do the business.”

“Sure, it works because I just did mine and I withdrew within an hour.” He explained further.

I was very curious and excited to join the business because it sounded very good to my ears. I logged in to my account and discovered that my account balance was short with about seven thousand naira. I began to think about how I can get the remaining balance so that I can join the online business Emeka introduced to me.

“Emeka, I don't have enough money in my account. Hope it won't be too late for me to join tomorrow?” I asked him.

“No problem at all. Just be quick about the funds so that you can also enjoy the double benefits I am enjoying now”* he concluded and left my place.

I checked my phone contacts and began to search for contacts that I could call for a loan. I finally decided to call Aishat, another friend and coursemate of mine.

“Hello Aishat, how are you doing? Please can I request a favour from you?”

“Hello Faith, I'm doing fine. What's your request? If I can, I'll grant it to you?” She replied.

“Can you loan me seven thousand naira. I will give it back to you in two days time. Please, it is for a business” I told her.

“What do you need seven thousand naira for? You know that we are still schooling and we depend on our parents for funds. Right now, I am managing myself so I am careful right now as I am on a tight budget” she responded.

“You know Emeka that my male friend in my department? He introduced an online business to me and he told me that the online business pays our double of our invested money to us in 24 hours time”* I said to her.

“Ah Faith! Hope you have not put in any money yet? My dear all this online businesses are scam. It might look good now but the end is disaster. Be very careful oooo because not all that glitters is gold.

“My advice to you is for you to wait a while and see the success rate of the online business before venturing into it okay” she said.

Although disappointed at not getting the loan from her, I decided to wait like she suggested. When Emeka called me to confirm if my funds were complete, I told him that I am still sourcing for more funds.

Deep down, I kept wishing that the business will be legit so that I can enjoy double portion but to my horror, Emeka called me four days later to lament that he lost all the cash he invested into the online business. He claimed he called for me to loan him some money so that he would use it to sustain himself in school.

I immediately began to sweat under the air conditioner as I heard Emeka narrate his ordeal to me. It was like someone poured hot water in me. After regaining my senses, I began to jubilate in my heart, thanking the heavens for Aishat's wisdom and direction which stopped me from also putting my little money into the business.

I quickly dismissed Emeka's call as I told him that I also do not have money to loan him. This experience has taught me not to quickly dabble into any online investment that I am not sure of. Till date, I still have to have weariness in me.

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Thank you for reading.

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