By Daniel D.
Two Cameroonians, Atemnkeng Narcisse and Ananfac Joseph Nguajong, were victims of employment scams in Benin.
Joseph was living in Cameroon when his friend Kingsley offered him a job opportunity in the Republic of Benin.
Trusting his friend, Joseph did not expect to be scammed. Kingsley first informed Joseph that the company needed 700,000 FCFA, but later the company asked for 750,000 FCFA. Unable to pay this amount, Joseph declined the offer.
But Joseph’s ordeal did not end there. A friend of his wife, Stephanette Alemju, suggested another job opportunity in her company in Benin, where she claimed to be the inventory control manager.
She assured Joseph that the company only needed 300,000 FCFA and she would take care of the rest.
When Joseph arrived in Nigeria, with the intention of settling in Benin, the scammers took the remaining 110,000 FCFA from him, as well as his SIM card to prevent any communication with his family.
“They started telling me stories that it was a business and that to be successful, I had to call other people to take money and give me some of it. They told me that there were products in Malaysia that I had to buy. I refused to comply, so they deprived me of food and water for three days,” Joseph told MMI.
Stéphanie Alemju, his wife’s friend, then suggested that Joseph forget his family and stay with her.
Under pressure, Joseph managed to retrieve his SIM card and escape from the company with the help of his family.
Fleeing Abuja, Stephanie contacted his wife in Cameroon, saying Joseph needed more money. His wife borrowed and sent 500,000 FCFA.
Ananfac Joseph’s experience is not unique, as many Cameroonians have been duped by fake job offers in Mali, Ghana and Benin.
Similarly, Atemnkeng Narcisse, from Alou, Lebialem, was also a victim of a job scam in Benin. Her aunt, also named Stephanie, introduced her to a promising job opportunity as a carpenter or furniture maker.
She promised to lend Atemnkeng 500,000 FCFA for processing the documents in Benin. Atemnkeng sold his properties and borrowed 300,000 FCFA for transportation, based on his aunt’s assurances.
When she arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, she discovered that her aunt was already there and that the promised funds had not reached her. Instead of devoting herself to this carpentry work, her aunt encouraged her to recruit others, promising her a share of the money they brought.
When Atemnkeng refused, they threatened to call the police.
In Abuja, Atemnkeng met Joseph, who was facing a similar situation. They teamed up and eventually returned to Cameroon.
The experiences of Atemnkeng and Joseph highlight the challenges and desperate measures Cameroonians take to secure employment abroad.
Many are lured by the promise of high salaries, only to be scammed. In a similar case, Ghanaian authorities dismantled a network a few years ago that was deceiving Africans with fake job offers in the country.
Every year, thousands of Cameroonians leave or attempt to leave the country in search of greener pastures abroad. President Paul Biya, whose government has repeatedly been accused of being responsible for the youth exodus, has urged the youth to stay and develop the country.
©Mimi Mefo Info
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