I think I have a say concerning all the "I hired a developer only to get scammed" claims and the clients who truly are victims. I'm actually in no befitting position (and neither am I an expert in such cases as these) to actually be talking about a "solution". But this is more of what the hirer or client actually can do to prevent and escape those heart-touching stories.

There's been lots of name-dragging and the intention to maul another person's personal brand... the spite isn't enough. But maybe some of them got it because they truly deserved it. There are actually some who don't.

So if you're a hirer and you're seeking a developer on this cyber environment to build a product or go on a project for you then what are your approach for doing so? Let's begin here.

Already, you might be someone unsure of who you are hiring and sending your hard-earned money to. But your approach is way very important.

One would only imagine a hirer coming to a platform like Nairaland and asking a developer to contact them or worse still, in this manner, leave their contact here for the developer.

Even though the hirer finds the right person fit for the job who gets the work done, chances are these hirers are more or less likely to repeat the same blunders. And, asking if the developer has some recent works just to feel confident in whom you hired may just not be enough. That's why I have my best practices:

-Does the developer has a portfolio?
-Is their portfolio an instance of someone I can really get to know and work with?
-Does their portfolio score my very own personal assessment & requirements?
-Is their portfolio legit and original or I'm just being played?
-If so, do I have to pass on this developer and look into/compare another?

These are but a few. The idea here is the portfolio. The developer you're asking for should own a portfolio. This should be your go-to to get the job professionally done. Though, just to be clear, I am not in any way trying to say the developer without a portfolio is no fit for the job. But what's the use of being professional without a portfolio?

Wikipedia defines it very suitably and even used full quotes:

Professionalization is a social process by which any trade or occupation transforms itself into a true "profession of the highest integrity and competence."
Read more here on Wikipedia

And the term is being contested. Wiki explains thus that "Professionalization tends to result in establishing acceptable qualifications, one or more professional associations to recommend best practice and to oversee the conduct of members of the profession, and some degree of demarcation of the qualified from unqualified amateurs"

As a hirer or a potential client/customer to the developer you'll be getting hired for your project, you have to take some necessary measure or go some length if you don't want to be defrauded and disappointed in the process. No matter how small & causual the project may seem, you have to be very enlightened or clear-sighted, dilligent, judicious and persevering in searching for someone to manage and handle your project.

Take real commerical companies for an instance, they don't just select anybody to handle their project when outsourcing. They do some screenings. It's not like you have to interview the developer. It's not necessary... for the fact that they are just being hired. But it's all just boils down to being very professional & shrewd when it comes to finding the right person for the job.

Amen to that, you go wan build bet9ja kind of website for 50k, why dem no go dupe una. eni n wafa n wofo.

Pay cheap, get amoeba, some would even want you to maintain the project for them.