Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secrets Reporters
A social media influencer Lucky Udu, known for his vibrant online presence, is at the center of allegations of fraud involving a Kogi State woman, Esther Ijaja.
Udu is accused of collaborating with Muhammed Dalhatu, a self-proclaimed inventor, to scam the unsuspecting woman out of ₦70,000 under the guise of purchasing a device purportedly capable of producing cooking gas from water.
Approximately 12 weeks ago, Lucky Udu promoted Muhammed Dalhatu via Instagram as a young disabled innovator capable of producing cooking gas from water.
Udu praised Muhammed’s supposed invention, describing it as a groundbreaking innovation with the potential to yield billions.
Impressed by Udu’s endorsement, Esther contacted Muhammed, believing in the legitimacy of his invention. She agreed to purchase the device and made payments in tranches to Muhammed’s Jaiz Bank account, totaling ₦70,000. Muhammed claimed the funds would cover the cost of the device and its delivery.
Since October, Esther has neither received the promised device nor any form of refund. Muhammed has reportedly become unreachable, leaving Esther without recourse. Her brother attempted to escalate the matter by contacting Lucky via WhatsApp and Facebook. However, Udu’s responses have been sporadic and unhelpful, providing no clear plan for resolving the issue or recovering the money.
When contacted by Secrets Reporters, Lucky stated he was “on the case.” Weeks later, however, there is little evidence of progress, fueling suspicions of his involvement in the alleged scam.
This case raises broader concerns about the practices of influencers who promote unverified products, services, or individuals on their platforms. Critics argue that by leveraging their credibility, influencers like Udu inadvertently—or intentionally—lend legitimacy to fraudulent schemes.
In an interview with Secrets Reporters, Esther expressed her frustration and disappointment. “I trusted Muhammed because Lucky vouched for him. It’s heartbreaking to think someone I admired could be part of such deceit,” she lamented.
Efforts to contact Muhammed for comments have been unsuccessful, as his social media accounts appear inactive. Similarly, Lucky’s continued silence raises questions about his role and whether this case is an isolated incident or part of a broader scheme.
