Using digital telecommunication devices have made the spread of fake news very easy.
However, I will share a story about fake news I encountered and how I reacted to the situation.
How it happened
After graduation from school, I was posted to serve. I used to have a colleague in school that I lent some amount to pay his school fees when he wasn’t financially fit. He agreed to pay during a stipulated period but it came out that things were not going well for him and I understood he pleaded for extension of repayment.
Unknowing to me he got plans to withdraw from school because his grades weren’t good. He entered into a business after dropping out from school.
One day, I got a call from one of our departmental excos he connived with to inform me that he was kidnapped. I actually didn’t first of all think about it but after I enquired about his where about, I was told he was in is home place doing fine with his business. He just wanted to fake the news of his kidnap and later tell me money was used to settle the kidnappers so I could have pity to forget about the sum.
Unknowing to him, I tricked him using a female friend phone number to speak with him. He fell for it and I heard his voice clearly. She became short time friend with him and he immediately fell for my trick.
Both he and the lady agreed they will be meeting in town where I was of which he had to travel all the way from the north.
Fast forward to the journey date, he got prepared and boarded a flight. Not quite long he appeared at the desired location where they would meet and I saw him he was doing good, immediately I asked him of my funds without much stress threatening to hand him over to law enforcement after holding him tightly that he didn’t have a breathing space.
I also called other witnesses because the passerby where trying to help him out, he pleaded to be allowed get to the bank where he withdrew the money and handed it over to me. He paid back the NGN50,000.
He couldn’t find the lady but had to travel back.
I might not know the type of fake news you have encountered, but do not hesitate to respond to news without enquiring about it further.
I had to enquire about that cunny colleague to know he actually wasn’t kidnapped but still available.
Thanks for stopping by.
