SCAM ALERT: List of Fake Grants in Nigeria 2023 As you search online for educational or business funding opportunities in Nigeria, be very wary of grant scams. Fraudsters prey on those seeking financial assistance by posting fake grant offers and requesting application fees or personal information. These scams have become increasingly sophisticated to appear legitimate but ultimately leave victims with stolen funds or identity theft. Do not provide any sensitive data or wire money to claim a grant you have not thoroughly verified.
This article provides a list of known fake grants currently circulating in Nigeria to raise awareness and help you avoid becoming a victim. Only consider grants from reputable organizations you have researched independently. Government agencies do not require application fees for grants. Be skeptical of unsolicited offers and deals that sound too good to be true.
What Are Fake Grants in Nigeria?
Fraudsters in Nigeria often pose as representatives of legitimate grant organizations to scam victims out of money or personal information. These scams, known as “fake grants,” target individuals and small businesses with promises of free grant money that never actually materializes.
Some warning signs of a fake grant scam include:
Unsolicited contact from an “official” representing a grant organization you’ve never applied to. Legitimate grants are applied for and awarded, not offered out of the blue.
Requests for personal information like bank account numbers, Social Security number, copies of IDs, etc. Legitimate grant organizations do not ask for sensitive information upfront.
Pressure to pay a “processing fee” or “tax” on the grant amount before receiving funds. Real grants do not require any payment to claim award money.
Promises that seem too good to be true, like guaranteed free money with no obligation or responsibility. Legitimate grants have eligibility criteria and obligations.
Top 6 Fake Grant Scams to Avoid in 2023
To avoid becoming a victim of grant fraud in Nigeria next year, be on alert for the following top 5 fake grant scams:
1. Theobarth Grants
This is a scam. First, no one needs to pay cash to receive a grant. A grant is money given by the government or a few organization to a particular individual, group of individuals or another organization for a particular reason. Theobarth Global Foundation, a non-governmental organization, is currently in the eye of the storm due to its grant advertising.
2. SEM Grants Scam
A SEM (Social Exchange Market) SEM offers a platform for individuals to utilize their talents and skills to make cash. This flexible program aims to improve financial capabilities and bolster business startups for qualified individuals.
Specifically, the Social Exchange Market (SEM) which prides itself as a charitable organisation being managed by a certain Donald Olorunkeyede allegedly sold a dummy to unsuspecting members of the public about a purported $500billion interest-free grant to elevate over 36 million Nigerians out of the poverty trap. To achieve his utmost objective, he played up the religious card: by simply engaging the services of Bishops, Pastors, Venerables, Reverends, Elders in churches, who from investigation were oblivious of his hidden motives. Shockingly, a lot of individuals who were gullible enough to fall for the trap are seriously gnashing their teeth.
3. Telpecon Grant Disbursement
TELPECON could be a Non Governmental Organization(owned by outsiders) that need to help a few people out from poverty. The most recent news on TELPECON Allow is that it is a trick endeavour by certain people to drain others out of their money. If you applied and are still expecting a give from an organisation without a open face then my friend for your sake I hope God intervenes and helps you come out of your slumber.
TELPECON isn’t real, you can’t get any grant from it. If you paid for it then your money is gone, if you applied for it without paying them a bunch of scammers definitely have your personal details and might do something bad with them.
The supposed grant doesn’t even have a website, a Google look of the company or trade shows results of two Facebook pages “TELPECON Grant DISBURSEMENT” & “TELPECON Grant & DISBURSEMENT”. A see into both Facebook pages appears that they are both used to disseminate misinformation and disinformation (fake news).
Be on the alarm, and always fact-check what people are saying. Any legitimate business will have a legit online presence. If it doesn’t, run away, like you ought to be running away from This TELPECON Grant of a scam
4. UAAG Grant Disbursement
UAAG Grant is another grant program like Theobarth grant, Supreme Family Grant, and Telpecon Grant. For clarity, the UAAG Grant guarantees to pay 75 million Nigerians with #5m each. In addition, each Cluster Head and NGO are sworn N50m and N100m respectively
It promises to pay the poorest of the poor N5 million for 75 million Nigerians, but the question is, can an organization like UAAG pay 75 million Nigerians 5Million each?
This is where we’ll likely know how genuine the UAAG Grant is, first, we look thoroughly to see the CAC certification of UAAG, and to our greatest amusement, it is known.
UAAG Grant Similar to SEM, SFIG, Theorbarth, Telpecon Grant?
THE LIST IS Endless from SEM to TELPECON, TELPECON to THEOBARTH, THEOBARTH to Usage. They are all the same but have diverse modes of Operandi. They all guaranteed to pay millions of poor Nigerians colossal amounts, but at the end of the day, they are nowhere to be found. No one will pay you millions of naira with a simple supply of their Bank details.
5. Federal Government Youth Empowerment Grant
Scammers will claim the Federal Government is giving out grants of up to 5 million Naira to youth aged 18-35 for business start-ups or education. They will request a “processing fee” or your bank details to “verify your identity.” This is a scam. The Federal Government does not request fees or bank details to apply for legitimate grants.
6. UNICEF/NGO Grants
Scammers reach out via SMS, calls or emails pretending to represent UNICEF, World Health Organization or other NGOs offering grants. They will claim you were selected for a grant and request personal information or upfront fees. Legitimate NGOs do not request fees or sensitive data in this way. These are imposters.
7. National Community Grant (NCG)
A few readers have taken to social media to warn others of messages from Facebook friends talking about an NCG (National Community Grant) and how to claim it.
The scam starts with a message from a Facebook companion who has been hacked. The fraudster messages with a discussion starter such as ‘Hello, how are you doing mate?’. They at that point tell you almost their day by saying things like ‘I’m great, fair having a coffee’ to persuade you that you’re talking to your companion.
Next, they tell you they saw your name on the ‘NCG list’, which they describe as ‘a national community grant that helps government employees, old, retired workers, non-workers, youths and the impaired with cash.’ No such list or allow exists.
The fraudster will then inquire you if you’ve received any money. They will say that they received a give of tens of thousands of pounds, before sending you a link to make an application.
If you click on a link provided by a scammer, this could result in malware being downloaded onto your device. You may moreover be taken to a dodgy site where you’re inquired to enter your personal details, which can be used to scam you now or at a later date.
How to Spot a Fake Grant Scam
Unfortunately, there are malicious groups that create fake grant scams to try and steal money or personal information from unsuspecting victims. It is important to be vigilant and aware of the signs of a scam to avoid becoming a target.
Some common indicators that a grant offer is likely a scam include:
Requests for a “processing fee” or “administrative fee” upfront. Legitimate grants do not require recipients to pay money to receive funds.
Urgency or limited time offers. Scammers often pressure victims by claiming the offer is only available for a short time or to a limited number of applicants. Official grants do not operate this way.
Winning a grant you did not apply for. If you receive notice you have won a grant that you did not submit an application for, it is almost certainly an attempt at fraud.
Misspellings and grammatical errors. Scam communications often contain poor spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Official government agencies have professional communications standards.
Requests for personal information like bank account numbers, social security numbers, etc. Never provide sensitive data to unverified grantors.
By being aware of these common signs of fraud, you can avoid becoming the victim of a grant scam. Never pay money or provide personal information to receive grant funds. Report any suspicious offers to the proper authorities to help prevent others from being targeted. Though there are malicious groups actively attempting to defraud people through fake grants, by exercising caution and vigilance you can evade their deceitful tactics.
Conclusion
In summary, be extremely wary of unsolicited offers and promises of large grants in Nigeria. They are very likely fraudulent attempts to steal money and personal information from victims. Never provide bank account information, credit card numbers, copies of IDs or passports to anyone promising free money. Legitimate foundations and organizations do not ask for upfront fees or sensitive data to award grants. If something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Do thorough research on any organization before engaging further or providing funds. Your personal and financial security depend on increased awareness and vigilance.
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