Avoiding sham trust mistakes

🔍 When Trust Is Exploited: A Cautionary Tale I just came across the news that Malaysian singer Winnie K (Winnie Kok) lost RM380,000 to a man posing as a “Datuk,” promising her an exclusive brand ambassador role for a luxury property project. What makes this especially painful is that the scammer was introduced through someone she considered a friend — someone she trusted. She shared how the money was meant for her mother’s medical care, how the scam sank her emotionally, and how it took years for her to speak out. She’s stepping forward now not just for her own justice, but to warn others. A brave move. ⸻ 🧭 What this teaches us 1. Titles and status can be weaponised Just because someone calls themselves “Datuk” or presents a façade of prestige doesn’t guarantee authenticity. 2. Due diligence must never be skipped Always validate credentials, contracts, identities. Check independently. Even if it’s offered via a “trusted” introduction. 3. Emotional vulnerability is part of the trap In Winnie’s case, the cause was personal (her mother’s health). Scammers exploit urgency and empathy to cloud judgement. 4. Silence helps the crime persist Many victims stay quiet out of shame or fear. But when brave voices come forward, we all become a little safer. ⸻ 💡 A Few Practical Tips • Before committing money, demand verifiable contract, references, third-party verification • Ask for face-to-face meetings, credentials, proof of past projects • Inform someone trusted before you make big financial moves • If you feel uneasy or rushed, pause — that’s often the red flag ⸻ Let’s take Winnie’s courage as a call to stay vigilant and supportive. We all must band together to call out scams, protect one another, and ensure no one else is forced to suffer in silence. #WinnieK #ScamAwareness #TrustAndRisk #Integrity #LessonsInBusiness #SupportVictims #DueDiligence #LinkedInReflections

🚨 Before You Send That Money: A Lesson From a $4.9M Almost-Scam in Africa A Turkish investor was about to lose $4.9 million to scammers in Africa. They told him: “We work with the President.” Thankfully, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit stepped in before the money disappeared. Across Africa, there are real opportunities in mining, commodities, and land. But scammers know how to play on trust and urgency, making people believe they have “government connections. 🌍 Africa loses $40 billion each year to illicit mining flows. 🇿🇦 South Africa lost $3.4 billion in 2024 to illegal mining. 🇳🇬 East Africa loses millions each year to fake gold deals. 💡 How these scams work: • They pose as presidential advisors or customs contacts. • They meet you in nice offices or hotels to look legitimate. • They pressure you to pay fast for “clearances.” • They ghost you or threaten you if you ask questions. Why am I sharing this? If you know me, you know that last year I got scammed by South African people. As a businessperson, I did everything by the book. I even did two rounds of due diligence, and Absa Bank confirmed everything was in order. That’s why I’m asking you to be careful. It taught me to slow down, verify everything, and only partner with people I trust. That’s why I’m committed to helping others invest safely in Africa. This continent has real opportunities, but you need clear eyes, systems, and trusted partners. ✅ How to protect yourself: 🔹 Do your due diligence and then do it again. 🔹 Verify identities directly with official government channels. 🔹 Cross check all licenses and documents carefully. 🔹 Use trusted local lawyers and accountants. 🔹 Avoid cash deals; use formal, traceable channels. 🔹 Start small before scaling up. 🔹 Partner with people you trust who know the ground. 🛡️ Where you can verify deals before you pay: 🔸🇺🇬 Uganda : State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU): +256 312 251 900 | report@shacu.go.ug 🔸🇰🇪 Kenya : Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC): +254 20 2717318 | report@eacc.go.ke 🔸🇿🇦 South Africa : Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation): +27 12 846 4500 🔸🇳🇬 Nigeria : Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC): +234 9 904 4751 | info@efccnigeria.org These units exist to help you check before you send your hard earned money. 🤝 Africa is worth it, but the process matters. If you’re planning to invest here, take your time. Ask questions. Protect your money while you build. ✋ Have you seen scams like this in your industry or country? Share your experience below so others can learn and stay vigilant. 👇 Let’s talk about how to build safely in Africa. #InvestInAfrica #Mining #FraudPrevention #InvestorProtection #AfricaBusiness #EthicalInvestment

When a luxury brand like Torres turns out to be a façade for a ₹38.96 crore scam, it’s more than just news, it’s a masterclass in deception. How did a name synonymous with elegance and trust become the center of a Ponzi scheme that duped over 1,900 investors? The answer lies in the power of appearances. Lavish showrooms, sparkling diamonds, and quick returns created the perfect illusion of credibility. But behind the glitter was a meticulously planned fraud, with ₹25 crore spent not on growth, but on baiting trust. Add illegal fund transfers, fake passports, and absconding accused, and the scale of betrayal becomes clear. Key Lessons:  ● 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. Luxury and success are often used as bait. Always verify credentials and track records.  ● 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Where is the money coming from? How are the returns generated? If answers are vague, walk away.  ● 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. Research companies thoroughly—check reviews, licenses, and financial health.  ● 𝐁𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬. If it promises quick, easy money, it’s likely a red flag.  ● 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲. Never put all your money into one scheme. Diversify to minimize risks. This is a wake up call for investors to stay vigilant and for stricter regulations to prevent such mishaps. What steps can we take to safeguard against such fraud further? Share your thoughts below.

Tech is changing everything-  including how we get scammed. I’ve spent years preaching the power of technology to uplift lives. But here’s the side we don’t talk about enough: Tech is also making fraud faster, smarter, and frighteningly believable. A few weeks ago, someone impersonated me, same name, same display picture, same texting style. They messaged a team member in Germany asking for money. It almost worked. But thankfully, he paused, verified, and picked up the phone. Crisis averted. But this isn’t my first run-in. Even at upGrad, we saw our fair share. We all know big companies are vulnerable to this. But what’s alarming is how younger startups are too. The modus operandi is simple but smart: Scan for recent press or LinkedIn buzz, then impersonate a leader and reach out with just enough familiarity to bypass doubt. Voice clones, AI-written bios, deepfakes, spoofed numbers. Scammers don’t need your passwords now. They just need your LinkedIn profile and five minutes of your voice. So how do we deal with it? Here’s what I’ve learned: 1. Always verify on another channel (Call > Text) If something feels off, pick up the phone. Scammers rely on staying in the same thread. 2. Urgency is a red flag, not a call to action “Act now” is fraud’s favorite tactic. Pressure is their playbook. 3. Normalize double-checking. Even with leadership. Especially with leadership. Team members might hesitate to question a senior's message. Empower them to pause and check. It’s not awkward. It’s smart. Trust grows through clarity. Have you faced something similar? How are you staying one step ahead? Let’s learn from each other.