There is a rampant fraud currently sweeping across the nation that is targeting prospective applicants who hope to gain from the popular OPay scholarship scheme.
Opay scholarship scam warning, However, the issue at hand is that while OPay has indeed offered an actual scholarship scheme worth over ₦1.2 billion, it also seems that scammers are out there impersonating the program in order to dupe unsuspecting victims.
Here is the truth behind the scam, how to authenticate scholarships, and how to ensure that you don’t become a victim.
The Facts: OPay’s Scholarship Scheme
It should be noted that there actually is a genuine scholarship program by OPay worth well over ₦1.2 billion, which will span a number of years as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Moreover, some cases have reported the OPay scholarship being awarded in partnership with other educational institutions, including Benue State University, wherein individual candidates receive millions of naira.
The Scam: The Tricks That Fraudsters Are Pulling On Applicants
Fraudsters have taken on the role of the OPay scholarship program to fleece naïve Nigerians.
All they have to do is:
- Contact you via WhatsApp
- Send you an SMS
- Reach out through Telegram or email
Telling you that you’ve won the “OPay scholarship.”
The Big Hint?
They’ll then request that you make a payment of a “processing fee,” usually around ₦2,000 or even more.
That should immediately set off alarm bells.
What Else Can Happen After You Make Payment?
But the trickery does not end there.
The fraudsters may further ask for:
- Your bank account number or BVN
- Personal identification data
- Send messages to confirm that your payment went through
In most cases, the victim ends up with a depleted bank account or even an identity theft problem.
The Most Important Rule Is: There Is No Fee For Scholarships
How to easily tell if the scam is real?
There is no such thing as a scholarship that will ask for any payment at all.
How to Verify the Authenticity of OPay Scholarship
For your safety, only use official resources.
Check the site
Use only:
Verify from official sources
Do not rely on links provided by:
- Telegram
- Unknown SMS
Instead, check the official OPay resource or app.
Fraud Protection Available in OPay
To protect against fraud, OPay is offering its customers some protection measures, such as:
- Pop-ups warning about the scam before payment
- Call-backs for additional confirmation
- Artificial Intelligence-based systems to detect fraud
These measures are designed to warn users before sending payments to suspected recipients.
What You Must Do When Receiving Suspected Messages
If you receive any scholarship message concerning OPay:
- Never send money as fees
- Never follow unknown links
- Never share private or financial information
Rather, visit the official OPay website or app
Conclusion
While OPay scholarship is genuine, so is the scam that accompanies it.
Criminals know that they have a high chance of success due to people’s emotional response, so don’t fall for it.
When it comes to a request to pay for receiving money, there’s definitely something fishy going on.
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