Avoiding Investment Scams via WhatsApp

A few days ago, I received a random message on WhatsApp. My number is on all my social media profiles, so I expect people to contact me from time to time. This one was very suspicious from the beginning because it was a Nigerian mobile number. Nigerians are well known for their 419 scams from the early days of the Internet. In South Africa, many Nigerians are involved in drug trafficking and prostitution, so they don’t have a good reputation. However, I have also met some very upstanding Nigerians like Emeka Okafor, a blogger and past TEDGlobal curator. This blog is about avoiding investment scams via WhatsApp.

Anyway, here’s the exchange of our conversation on WhatsApp

Samuel: Good day, how are you doing?

Ramon: Ok. Who are you?

Samuel: Thanks for responding. My name is Samuel, and I’m reaching out because I have access to an investment opportunity that has helped many people earn consistent returns. I understand you may not know me yet, so I’d be happy to briefly introduce myself and share more details if you’re open to hearing it. No pressure—just a quick conversation.

Would you be open to learning more?

Ramon: How did you find my number?

Samuel: We’re in the same EasyEquities group, and since you’re an investor too, I thought this might be valuable to you—I’ve witnessed it myself

Ramon: You are lying. EasyEquities is not available in Nigeria

Samuel: I understand your concern, but I actually got your number from the EasyEquities WhatsApp group we’re both in. EasyEquities may not be based in Nigeria, but the group includes people from different countries, including Nigeria.

Ramon: So what’s my name? That group is for South Africans only

Samuel: Yes, I’m familiar with it—I was once a member back when I was in South Africa. A teammate introduced me to it, and I got involved for a while. However, after returning to Nigeria, I found the deposit and withdrawal processes quite difficult and time-consuming, so I eventually stopped.

That was when I discovered GrowthVesting, a global investment company based in Switzerland that has been operating since 2015. Their services have been truly impressive, and my experience with them has been excellent. I believe more people deserve to know about this opportunity too.

I understand if you’re unsure. I had my own doubts at first, especially after what happened when I came back to Nigeria.

Hey, I understand if you’re unsure. I had my own doubts at first, especially after what happened when I came back to Nigeria.

But this new opportunity I’m into now has been different. I’ve been earning [X]% weekly on my investment, and they’ve been consistent. Even one of my friends tried it last month and already made returns

Ramon: I don’t know and don’t trust Nigerians for investment advice.

Ramon: How do I know this is not a scam?

Samuel: That’s a fair question. I understand your concern—scams are everywhere these days. I’m only sharing this because I’ve seen results myself and I wouldn’t risk my own money or reputation if I wasn’t confident in it. You’re free to do your own research too.”
https://growthvesting.com/growthvesting/?r=signup&RID=729ESK

You can do your research

Ramon: I can’t find any reviews about them on Trustpilot. They are using AI videos. Not real people

Ramon: Why did you contact me and not post in the EasyEquities group?

Samuel: I get where you’re coming from. It’s always smart to question things. I only reached out directly because I’ve personally used the platform and seen results, and thought it might be useful to you too. I didn’t want to spam the group, which is why I shared it privately. As for the AI videos, that’s just marketing—many legit companies use them now. But beyond the ads, the real value is in the actual platform and how it performs.

Ramon: Share your bank statement so I can confirm you made a profit

Samuel: Just to clarify, the platform operates exclusively with cryptocurrency and doesn’t use traditional banking systems. Deposits and withdrawals are made directly to and from your crypto wallet. That said, could you please specify which type of proof you’re requesting?

Ramon: Anyway. Since I don’t know you and you are from Nigeria, I won’t trust you. I already do investments on two platforms I trust. So I don’t have any extra cash to risk on some unknown

Samuel: I completely understand your hesitation—trust is important, especially when it comes to money. Just to clarify, I’m not here to pressure you or replace what you’re already doing. I’m simply sharing an opportunity that has worked for me personally and for others I know.
I respect that you’re being cautious, especially since we just met and you’re already committed to other platforms. That said, if you’re ever open to exploring additional streams of income—low-risk and transparent—I’d be happy to walk you through it and let you decide if it’s right for you. No pressure.

Samuel: And just to reassure you, I can show how the platform operates and how you remain in control of your funds at all times. I value honesty,

Ramon: No thanks. I don’t trust anyone from Nigeria about investing.

A few things to note:

1. When I asked him why he contacted me personally, he didn’t give a direct answer.
2. When I asked him why he didn’t post in the Easy Equities group, he made an excuse
3. When I asked him to show me his bank account statement, he never answered.
4. This platform uses cryptocurrencies to make deposits and withdrawals – a big red flag.y,

Anyway, the short answer to avoiding investment scams on WhatsApp is to block unknown numbers, especially from other countries, not where you are living. If you think Samuel may have contacted you, block this number: +234 901 613 5348 to avoid investment scams on WhatsApp.