Residents of Auchi, Edo State, are reeling from shock and anger after a man allegedly scammed over a thousand people in what is now being described as a well-planned rice fraud.
The incident began when the unknown man opened a new shop in town, selling 50kg bags of rice at the unbelievable price of ₦20,000, well below the current market price of over ₦55,000. Word quickly spread that the rice was part of a government-subsidized program to support low-income households and fight hunger.
Dozens of buyers rushed in and were able to purchase rice at the discounted price. This gave the impression that the offer was genuine. As more people heard about the “empowerment scheme,” crowds began to gather, hoping to take advantage of the supposed subsidy.
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By the end of the day, the man claimed he had run out of stock and told customers to pre-order for the next day’s supply. He reportedly collected ₦20,000 each from over 1,000 people, promising they would get their bags of rice first thing in the morning.
However, by the next day, the shop was locked, the seller was nowhere to be found, and all efforts to reach him proved futile. The mood in Auchi quickly changed, as many realized they may have fallen victim to a scam worth over ₦20 million.
Eyewitnesses say some of the victims gathered at the shop, expressing frustration. Many are calling on the police and local authorities to intervene and track down the man behind the fraudulent scheme.
