Let’s be aware of online marketing fraudsters

The craze around online marketing or what is sometimes referred to as network marketing has gone a notch higher and many unsuspecting Kenyans have been lured into scams in the name of entrepreneurship.

Also read: 5 Digital Marketing Scams to Avoid

Entrepreneurship is one of the best investment opportunity and income earner. If well utilised, can better country’s economy and create employment opportunities therefore reducing the rate of unemployment among youths. However, fraudsters have used social media platforms, mostly Facebook,  to lure  young people  to illegit online marketing or network marketing opportunities where they are enticed to send money to particular online platforms in the name of investment.

It is after one has joined that reality hits them hard. The opportunity is so complicated and the ultimate goal is for the owners of the said business to milk you and your associates dry.

The catch in online marketing

Once the fraudsters succeed in luring you to their network marketing dragnet, they give strict instructions that you have to refer a minimum number of people to the network for you to recover your investment and earn some profit. When they achieve their goal of milking your hard earned money form you and your invited ‘network’ they disappear never to help you recover your investment nor help you earn some profit.

Many have ben swindled and even the media has carried heart breaking stories on how many people have lost. However, these type of businesses crop up every other day and many more people still join.

If not stopped early, these cons will continue luring young people to their illegit businesses and the youths will remain with nothing but tears and regrets in their taril.

Let us always be lead by this wise counsel: when the deal is too good, think twice.

Also see: WINDOWS 11: What you need to know

Daina Mwende Paul is a journalism student at KCA University.