A Nigerian model has recounted her terrifying brush with a suspected Abuja scammer who preys on aspiring models by offering fake job opportunities, only to steal their phones and vanish without a trace.
The harrowing experience was revealed through a series of videos posted by the model on TikTok, where she detailed how she narrowly escaped falling victim to the notorious fraudster who is allegedly well-known in the Abuja modeling scene.
According to her narration, the man poses as a talent agent, using stolen phones from previous victims to reach out to new targets. He presents himself as a legitimate professional, offering what appears to be promising modeling gigs. Once he gains their trust, he invites them for fake photoshoots and eventually robs them.
Her story began when she received a message from a friend regarding a supposed modeling opportunity. She agreed to take part, and shortly after, was contacted on WhatsApp by a stranger who requested her Polaroid shots, claiming he worked under a “boss” who would get in touch with her directly.
Upon speaking with the alleged boss, they arranged a meeting at a studio where he appeared very familiar with the receptionist. He later introduced her to a makeup artist and claimed another model would join them shortly. The makeup session began with him present the entire time.
Once the makeup was done, the man took her to another location, supposedly for a photoshoot. But moments into the process, he disappeared.
“When we were taking pictures, the makeup artist began searching for him. She asked me where he was, and I told her I didn’t know. That’s when she told me he hadn’t paid her,” the model explained in the video.
She attempted to contact him, but his number had been switched off. Realizing they had both been duped, the makeup artist called the police. Two armed officers arrived and briefly detained the model until they understood she, too, had been scammed.
She explained that this method of operation is the scammer’s signature—using one stolen phone to bait others, and it has reportedly worked on multiple victims in Abuja.
“This is what the particular person has been doing and going scot-free,” she emphasized, urging others, especially freelancers and aspiring models, to remain cautious.
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@symplypesh
⚠️🆘🚨⚠️ spread this news out, save someone today. Abuja peeps be careful especially the ladies and the freelancers out there. There is a pandemic currently happening in Abuja Im now getting more similar stories from victims @BLACK WALL STREET AF thank you so much sir, thank you for standing up for the oppressed @Tundeednut @yabaleftonline @RemedyBlog @Lindaikeji Blog #viral #abuja #symplypesh #patienceezema #abujaactors #fyp #scamalert #becareful #breakingnews
♬ original sound – Onyemaechi
@symplypesh
🆘🚨‼️ continuation of my encounter with a scammer and still got arrested. Spread this news out. Save someone today. Abuja peeps be careful. I made this video to create awareness of the dangers of freelancing, and I’ve been getting so many similar stories @BLACK WALL STREET AF @GossipMillNaija @Tundeednut @ABUJA.PR @Abuja Gist @yabaleftonlinemedia @RemedyBlog @Lindaikeji Blog #viral #abuja #patienceezema #symplypesh #fyp #scamalert #becareful #becareful #breakingnews #abujamodels viral
♬ original sound – Onyemaechi