On the morning of January 9, 2025, operatives of the EFCC conducted a sweeping operation in Abuja, arresting 105 individuals, including four foreign nationals, for an intricate internet scam known as the “Hotel Review Job Scam.” 

According to the EFCC, the modus operandi of this scam typically involved foreign operators recruiting tech-savvy locals as “Customer Service Representatives.” These representatives would work from prepared templates, using fake foreign identities to chat with potential victims. 

The scam begins innocently enough—victims are offered $5 for each hotel review they complete. And as trust builds, the payment increases to $10 per review.

The real trap springs when victims are encouraged to make substantial hotel bookings, sometimes up to $500, with promises of generous returns paid into a crypto wallet. Predictably, once the booking is made, the victim loses access to the wallet, and their money vanishes.

As you’ll soon discover as this article progresses, this isn’t an isolated incident. While the hotel review scheme made headlines, the Google review job scam follows a similar pattern, as illustrated by the True Life Story of a young graduate named Dayo.

Dayo’s Story

In the bustling city of Ibadan, where marketplaces hum with activity and life seems to never pause, you might come across someone like Dayo. A young and ambitious university graduate, eager to make something of himself. Dayo had dreams of striking it big—of moving beyond the daily grind and stepping into a brighter future.

But life doesn’t always hand you opportunities on a silver platter. Sometimes, it hands you bait.

Like many graduates, the excitement of completing university quickly gave way to the harsh reality of unemployment. He had dreams of building a career, supporting his family, and one day starting his own business, but job applications remained unanswered, and frustration began to set in.

One evening, while scrolling through his phone, he received a message that seemed like a lifeline. It was from a foreign number claiming to represent a Google-affiliated company:

“Work as a Google reviewer and earn ₦1,000 per review! No experience needed.”

It sounded legitimate enough. After all, Google is a global brand, and companies are always looking for ways to improve their online presence. For Dayo, it felt like a golden opportunity.

He replied to the message, and soon after, the “recruiter” explained the job in detail. All he had to do was write positive reviews of hotels, restaurants, and other services. Each review would earn him ₦1,000, paid directly into his account. And the best part? They actually sent him money for the first few reviews he submitted.

For the first few days, Dayo felt like he’d hit the jackpot. But what he didn’t realize was that this was just the bait.

Enter the Telegram Phase

Dayo’s first few days as a “Google reviewer” felt like a dream come true. The payments were instant, and everything seemed above board. Encouraged by the steady income, Dayo began to tell his friends about his newfound “job.”

But soon, things changed. Dayo was asked to move to a more “structured” system. A “secretary” introduced him to a Telegram group where tasks were uploaded daily.

The group was bustling with activity. Members shared screenshots of their payments, congratulated each other on their progress, and encouraged newcomers like Dayo to stay committed. The tasks were structured—10 reviews per day, released in intervals. The system felt professional, almost corporate.

Dayo completed his tasks diligently and continued receiving payments. But soon, the rules changed.

To continue participating, Dayo was told he needed to “invest” in the platform’s cryptocurrency. The secretary explained that this was to “differentiate legitimate users from bots.” The starter investment was ₦10,000, with a promised 40% return.

He hesitated, but the secretary was convincing. After all, they’d already paid him for his previous tasks. He decided to take the leap. The process to make the investment was unnecessarily complicated, involving communicating with numerous middlemen, but eventually, he managed to invest. And true to their word, he received not only his initial investment back but also the promised 40% interest.

At this point, he was sold. It felt like he’d stumbled onto a genuine opportunity.

The Plot Thickens

With his trust fully secured, the stakes increased. To qualify for higher-paying review jobs, Dayo was told he needed to increase his investment. This time, the amount was ₦45,000.

After depositing the money, he was moved to a new Telegram group with other so-called “investors.” A facilitator explained the next step: they would need to make another payment of ₦50,000 to a “merchant account.” This deposit, the facilitator explained, would be used to initiate a purchase to show “commercial activity” on the merchant’s page. In return, they’d receive not only their principal but 60% interest on their total investment.

The pressure was intense. Members of the group began messaging Dayo privately, urging him to act quickly. “Don’t miss this opportunity,” they said. But something about the situation just didn’t sit right.

Realization

Dayo hesitated, and that hesitation saved him. The whole setup suddenly felt off. Why was he being asked to deposit more and more money? Why was everything so complicated? Why were members of the group who he now realized appeared to be foreigners goading him to make the additional deposit? 

At this point, Dayo decided to call it quits and requested a refund of his ₦45,000. The secretary who had appeared approachable and available all the while suddenly became unresponsive. Minutes later, he was removed from the group and blocked by the facilitator.

And just like that, the scam revealed itself for what it was.

Breaking Down the Scam

Understanding how the Google review job scam operates is crucial for protecting yourself and others from falling victim to similar schemes.

Similar to the hotel review scam, Dayo’s story is not unique. Scammers have perfected the art of exploiting people’s trust, and review scams are one of their most effective tools. Here’s how these schemes typically work:

1. The Bait: Victims are lured in with promises of easy money for simple tasks like leaving online reviews. Initial payments are made to build trust.

2. The Transition: Once trust is established, victims are introduced to a more “exclusive” phase that requires joining groups or platforms like Telegram.

3. The Hook: Victims are asked to make small “investments,” often disguised as necessary steps to continue earning or access higher rewards.

4. The Escalation: As victims become more invested, they are pressured to contribute larger sums, often with promises of exponential returns.

5. The Endgame: Once the scammers have extracted as much money as possible, they cut off communication and disappear, leaving victims stranded.

The Parallels Between Investment Scams and Legitimate Investments Opportunities

What makes scams like this so effective is their resemblance to legitimate opportunities. After all, real investments often involve elements like:

• Initial Commitments: Just as scammers ask for “starter investments,” real investments require an initial deposit .

• Promised Returns: Both scams and legitimate ventures offer the allure of earning more than you put in.

• Complex Processes: The use of jargon, platforms, and middlemen can sometimes blur the lines between a scam and a genuine opportunity.

But the differences are stark when you look closely:

1. Transparency: Legitimate investments are transparent about risks and returns, while scams rely on secrecy and convoluted processes.

2. Regulation: Real investment platforms are regulated by financial authorities, offering a layer of protection for investors.

3. Pressure Tactics: Scammers use urgency and peer influence to push victims into hasty decisions, whereas legitimate opportunities encourage informed decision-making.

Lessons from Dayo’s Experience

Dayo’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance when exploring financial opportunities. Here are some key takeaways:

1. The Unsolicited Job Offer: No legitimate company will randomly text you about a job, especially one that seems so easy and lucrative.

2. The Gradual Escalation: Scammers are masters of psychology. They start small, earning your trust with small payouts, before asking for larger sums.

3. The Complicated Processes: Legitimate opportunities rarely involve layers of middlemen, crypto wallets, and “merchant” accounts.

4. The Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking critically.

5. Using Legitimate Businesses and Names as Ruse:  Fraudsters often hide behind well-known brand names, platforms, or companies to gain trust—in Dayo’s case, they used Google’s name to appear credible.

Conclusion

While scammers exploit people’s desire for quick cash, legitimate investments focus on long-term wealth-building. Rather than chasing easy money, platforms like Bravewood offer diversified investment options that grow your wealth steadily and transparently, allowing you to build wealth at your own pace.

Whether it’s stocks, real estate, or fixed-income assets, real investments are designed to withstand scrutiny. They don’t promise overnight riches but provide reliable, sustainable growth over time.

In the end, Dayo’s story is a cautionary tale, but it’s also a call to action. Scammers are constantly evolving, and their tactics are becoming more sophisticated by the day. They prey on vulnerability—whether it’s financial desperation, job hunting, or the lure of easy money.  As law enforcement continues to crack down on these operations, awareness about the Google review job scam and similar schemes remains our best defense against falling victim.

But if you are to  take anything away from this story, let it be this: Always trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Note: “Dayo” is a false name used to protect the individual’s privacy.

Bravewood provides Nigerian professionals with low-risk, high-return investment products, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.