LAGOS, Nigeria – In the latest example of digital deception, the popular Nigerian online marketplace, Konga, has warned its customers about a fraudulent website aiming to exploit its established reputation.
The scam website is the most recent in an escalating series of cyber frauds targeting online shoppers.
The company issued a statement on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, calling attention to the deceptive activities of “unscrupulous and faceless individuals and groups” using a bogus website that mimics Konga’s brand. The fraudulent site, identified as konga18.com, is reportedly attempting to mislead customers into making prepaid purchases.
“These scammers have leveraged the trust reposed in us by our customers to attempt various fraudulent activities on unsuspecting shoppers,” the Konga team stated in the alert. “Anyone transacting any business on this fake website is doing so at huge personal risk.”
The company was keen to highlight that it has no affiliation with the fraudulent website or any other site that is not their official web address, www.konga.com.
The warning is the latest in a series of alerts by online retailers about the rising threat of cyber scams. Fraudsters have increasingly been using faux websites and phishing emails to trick customers into revealing sensitive information or making payments for non-existent goods.
Konga reiterated the multiple payment options available to its customers, including payment on delivery, which is available in several Nigerian cities. The company’s own payment solution, KongaPay, was also highlighted as a popular and secure payment method.
“We wish to reiterate that our customers have a multiplicity of payment options to choose from, including payment on delivery,” the Konga team stated, emphasizing that customer security is a top priority.
Konga concluded the statement by advising customers and the general public to stay alert and guard against fraudulent activities. The company encouraged customers to visit their official website and social media pages for accurate news, updates, or discounts.
“Thank you for your continued support as we continue on our mission of creating a trusted and vibrant retail ecosystem that facilitates trade across Africa,” Konga stated, underscoring their commitment to providing a secure and reliable retail platform.
In a world where online shopping is increasingly the norm, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks of online scams and the importance of vigilance when making online transactions.
