The hope of no fewer than 300 residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital to boost their business through loan scheme has been dashed after they were swindled of their money.
The unsuspecting victims comprising petty traders and artisans were seen in a viral video allegedly defrauded by a firm of their hard-earned money.
The loan firm allegedly deceived traders and artisans with promises of giving out loan facilities, disappeared after collecting varying amount of money as processing fees from the victims.
It was learnt that the company that came into the state four months ago, collected N16,000 from each of the victims who wanted the loan facilities of N100,000 and N32,000 for N200,000.
Our correspondent who visited the firm’s office observed that the building was under lock and key with no individual found within the premises.
Narrating how she got involved in the scheme, Mrs. Ezekiel Odunayo, a trader, told Newsflash247 that she was convinced to key into the programme with a view to boosting her business with the loan.
“What happened was that the agent of the firm to our market to sensitise traders and artisans about the loan. That was how and others got know about the scheme.
“We attended seminars organized by the agents. At the meeting, we were given a form to fill where personal information were given. They told us that we would get a message from them if we were successful.
“So, two days later, I got a call from one of the agents that I should come to their office that my name had been shortlisted for the loan and I should come to their office with N16,000 to process the loan.
“I quickly left the market to source for the fee. After paying the money, I was given a date to come and collect the loan but unfortunately, they had disappeared with our money,” she said.
He appealed to the state government to intervene; saying all that she had to run his business has gone down the drain.
Meanwhile, the State government has summoned the management of the firm to appear on Friday, December 18, 2020, to clarify the preponderance of complaints against it.
The Commissioner for Information, Akin Omole, said that the state government would leave no stone unturned to arrest members of a loan scheme company.
Omole emphasised the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration’s zero tolerance for criminal activities, cautioned the people of the state against transacting business with unverified and faceless organisations.
He also advised residents to make proper enquiries at the state Ministry of Trade and Industry for possible loans for small and medium scale businesses to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.
