Hello everyone!
I would be participating in the #weekend-engagement topics, which says
Have you ever refused to do something that someone asked you to do, but it went against your morals and ethics??
Honestly, I’ve refused to do something that someone suggested I should do simply because it went completely against my morals and everything I stand for. And that thing was internet scamming.
If you live in Nigeria, you already know how common this thing is. A lot of boys see internet fraud as the quickest and easiest way to fund their lifestyle — buying the latest phones, wearing expensive designer clothes, flexing every weekend, and basically living large accroding to them. So, at some point in my 300lvl, when I was going through one of my toughest financial periods, I actually found myself being tempted to follow that path.
It was a period when I was really struggling. I was actually broke to the point that feeding myself became a problem. I didn’t want to keep calling my parents for money every time something came up because I knew they were already doing their best. So I decided to ask some of my friends if they had anything going on — maybe a job, an “update,” or just any legit way I could make a little money to survive.
But instead of that, what they introduced me to was internet scamming.
At first, I didn’t immediately reject it. I won’t lie — when you’re broke and you see the kind of money some of your mates are making from fraud, it can shake you. It can make you start thinking too deeply about it. In fact, at some point, I even thought of trying it out. I felt like maybe if I could just get some quick cash, I’d be able to help myself, get some nice things, and at least stop stressing my parents.
But honestly, something inside me wasn’t at peace with it. There was this inner voice that kept reminding me that it’s wrong. It’s illegal. And more than anything, it is basically stealing from someone else—someone who worked hard for their money. Deep down, I just knew that wasn’t something I could ever feel comfortable doing.
What really sealed it for me was when one of my friends told me a story about a pregnant woman they scammed. According to him, the woman needed money for her hospital bills, and because she fell for their tricks, she lost the little she had. In the end, she couldn’t get proper medical attention, and she actually lost her life on the hospital bed.
When I heard that, something inside me broke. I just thought to myself, “So imagine if that was my mother, my sister, or someone I love?” I knew immediately that I never wanted to be responsible for someone else’s pain or loss.
So I decided right there and then that I would never do it. I chose peace of mind, my values, and a clear conscience over fast money. And honestly, I’ve never regretted that decision.
Thanks for reading.