A farmer recently shared a harrowing experience of how he narrowly escaped an online scam on Christmas Eve. The scammer, posing as Reverend Father James Lubega from Namugongo Catholic Shrines, contacted the farmer to purchase 300 kilograms of onions.
The farmer, however, became suspicious when the scammer asked him to sell the onions at an inflated price and send him a “share” of the profit. Despite initial reservations, the farmer agreed to deliver the onions, but insisted on a deposit before releasing the goods.
When the scammer’s accomplice, posing as a sister, failed to make the deposit and instead feigned illness, the farmer’s suspicions were confirmed. He instructed his delivery driver to return with the onions, avoiding a potential loss.
The farmer’s cautionary tale highlights the importance of verifying buyers’ identities and demanding deposits before releasing goods, especially in online transactions. His experience serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with strangers online.
