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 told by Dayo, a young graduate at the time.

Dayo’s Story

I like to think I’m smart. Growing up, people always told me I had a knack for spotting trouble before it arrived. I was the one my friends turned to for advice, the one who could sniff out a bad deal from a mile away. Scammers? Please. I wasn’t one of those people who would ever fall for their tricks. Not me. I was too sharp for that.

Or so I thought.

It all started in 2016, in Ibadan, a city where life never seems to slow down. That’s where you’d find someone like me—Dayo. A young, ambitious university graduate with big dreams. I wasn’t just trying to get by; I wanted to make something of myself. I had plans to build a career, support my family, and eventually start my own business.

But life has a way of humbling even the best-laid plans. Graduation came and went, and the excitement of tossing my cap in the air quickly faded into the long, frustrating reality of unemployment. Job applications went unanswered, and as the months dragged on, frustration settled in. I began to feel like I was running out of options, like the walls of my potential were slowly closing in.

That’s when it happened.

The Message That Changed Everything

One evening, as I scrolled through my phone, a message popped up. It came from a foreign number, and the words on the screen felt like a lifeline:

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

At first, I was skeptical. But then again, it was Google. A global brand with a well known reputation. Companies are always looking for ways to improve their online presence, right? So, to me at the time, it didn’t seem too far-fetched to have a Google affliated company catering to this need.

I replied to the message, and the “recruiter” wasted no time explaining the job. It was simple: write positive reviews for hotels, restaurants, and other services. And for every review I submitted, I’d earn ₦1,000, paid directly into my account. 

And to my surprise—they actually paid me.

For the first few reviews I submitted, the money landed in my account almost instantly. For the first time in months, I felt like I’d caught a break. A real opportunity.

But looking back now, I realize it was just the bait.

Enter the Telegram Phase

After a few days of working as a “Google reviewer,” everything seemed perfect. The payments kept coming, and I started to believe I’d stumbled onto something legitimate. I even told a few friends about my “job.”

Then came the next step.

The recruiter told me they were moving to a more “structured” system. I was introduced to a Telegram group where tasks would be uploaded daily. The group was buzzing with activity—members shared screenshots of their payments, congratulated each other, and cheered on newcomers like me. It felt professional, almost corporate.

The tasks were straightforward: complete 10 reviews a day, and payments would follow. Everything seemed above board. For weeks, I worked diligently, and the money kept flowing in.

Until the rules changed.

Out of nowhere, I was told I needed to “invest” in the platform’s cryptocurrency to continue participating. The recruiter explained that this was a security measure to filter out bots and ensure only “legitimate” users could access the system. The starter investment was ₦10,000, with a promised 40% return.

I hesitated. It felt strange, but they’d paid me so far. Why wouldn’t they keep paying? After some convincing from the recruiter, I decided to take the leap. The process was tedious—there were middlemen, complicated instructions, and endless back-and-forth—but eventually, I made the deposit.

And, just like before, they delivered. I received my initial investment back, plus the promised interest.

At this point, I was sold.

The Plot Thickens

With my trust firmly secured, they raised the stakes. I was told I could qualify for higher-paying review jobs if I increased my investment. This time, the amount was ₦45,000.

I didn’t hesitate. I transferred the money and was moved to an exclusive Telegram group for “serious investors.” The energy in the group was electric. Members shared success stories, screenshots of massive payouts, and words of encouragement.

But then came the next request.

To unlock even bigger opportunities, I was told to deposit ₦50,000 into a “merchant account.” This, they claimed, would show “commercial activity” on the merchant’s page and guarantee a 60% return on my total investment.

That’s when I started to feel uneasy.

Why did the requirements keep changing? Why was I being asked for more and more money? And why were the group members—who I now noticed seemed oddly coordinated—pressuring me to act quickly?

Something wasn’t right.

Realization

I hesitated, and that hesitation saved me. I told the recruiter I wanted to withdraw my ₦45,000 investment instead of making another deposit. That’s when things took a turn.

The recruiter, who had been friendly and responsive up until that point, suddenly became distant. Hours turned into days, and I received no response. Then, without warning, I was removed from the Telegram group.

Blocked.

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 Investment 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.