Over the years, there has been a rise in online shopping because of its convenient and its wide reach across the globe. Likewise, there has also been a rise of fake vendors who hide behind glossy photos and too good to be true prices.

Here’s how to identify and avoid them before you become their next victim.

1. Check their digital footprints

A legitimate vendor will usually have a visible and traceable online presence. You can start by checking their business name on Google and social media platforms. Check if they have a website, or the consistency in the use of their social media platforms. Fraudulent vendors often change username frequently or use poorly designed pages with few details about who they are.

A trustworthy vendor typically shares verifiable contact information, customer reviews, and business registration details. if the page is new, appears just a few weeks ago and it already boasts hundred of “sales”, that is a red flag. You can also use online tools to verify website legitimacy.

READ ALSO:DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

2. Unrealistic prices and Urgent promos

If the prices looks too good to be true, it probably a scam. Scammers often lure buyers with huge discounts, flash sales or with the popular “limited stock”. the urgency in the way they present their products makes you pay before you think twice. You can start by comparing prices with known online store and see if the difference is extreme. It it is, you need to pause and think twice in your purchase.
You can further watch out for statements or messages like, “Offer ends in 30 minutes!” or “Pay now to avoid losing your slot!.” This common emotional tricks embodied in words rush unknowing buyers to make payments.

3. Read customer reviews and comments

Reviews reveals the product and services that has been purchased. It reveals what the vendor might not say. However, fake vendors write reviews or pay people to write reviews for them. Genuine reviews tend to be specific. It mentions the delivery time, packaging, and the product quality. The fake reviews tend to sound overly generic or identical across posts. It usually praises the product and and the vendor. You can check the social media page of a review. Silence or restricted comments often signal something fishy.

READ ALSO:Police Declare Man Wanted For Attempted Murder, Fraud

4. Payments method and delivery options

Reputable online stores usually offer secure payments gateways or pay-on-delivery options. Fraud vendors, on the other hand insist on full payment before delivery, often to a personal account instead of a registered business name.
Before you transfer money, confirm if the account name matches the business name.

5. Watch out for poor communication and grammar

Professional vendors take their branding seriously. Frequent spelling errors in content write ups, unprofessional replies, or inconsistent messaging indicate carelessness, unprofessionalism, or worse deceit. If the vendor cannot clearly explain product details or return policies, take it as a warning sign.

6. Trust your instincts

Sometimes you might have to go with your gut feeling. It is usually the best fraud detector. If you feel something off: whether it is a pushy tone, inconsistent information, or just that uneasy sense about a product or service or its vendor, you might need to end further transactions. There is always another vendor offering the same product legitimately.

It only takes extra minutes to verify a vendor and saving you from months and years of regret. Stay curious and cautious and always double-check before you click, “pay now”.

There was drama at the Area Court Centre, Igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday, after a woman, identified as Mulikat Yusuf, fainted when her husband, Ishaq Abdulganiyu, rejected her plea for reconciliation and insisted on ending their marriage.

According to The PUNCH, the incident happened during proceedings before Judge Toyin Aluko, where Abdulganiyu told the court that he was no longer interested in remaining married to his wife.

“I’m tired of the marriage, My Lord,” Abdulganiyu reportedly said. “We’ve had several misunderstandings, and I don’t see any reason to continue.”

But in a tearful plea, Mulikat appealed to the court to intervene, saying she was not ready to accept a divorce.

READ ALSO:My Wife Is Cheating On Me, I Want Divorce —Husband

“My Lord, please help me talk to him,” she said. “I have nowhere to go. I have given birth to six children for him, and I still want the marriage to work.”

However, her plea did little to change her husband’s mind, as he restated his decision to proceed with the separation.

Moments later, the distraught woman left the courtroom in tears but suddenly slumped outside, causing panic among court officials and onlookers.

Sympathisers quickly rushed to her aid and revived her by pouring water on her face.

READ ALSO:Why I Can Share My Husband With My Friend — Regina Daniels

A court official, who did not want to be named, told The PUNCH on Thursday that Mulikat regained consciousness after a few minutes and was later assisted to a bench to rest.

“She fainted immediately after the man confirmed he would not change his decision,” the official said. “People quickly gathered around her, and she was revived with water.”

Presiding judge, Toyin Aluko, advised Mulikat to make every effort to reconcile with her husband and resolve their differences amicably.

The matter was adjourned till December 10, 2025, for a report on the reconciliation or continuation of the hearing.

What began as a routine trip from Seattle to Istanbul turned tragic. Turkish Airlines Flight 204 was cruising normally when one of the captains, 59-year-old İlçehin Pehlivan, suddenly collapsed.

Despite the crew’s efforts, he sadly passed away mid-flight a veteran aviator lost among the skies he loved.

Over the radio, the co-pilot’s voice trembled: “Initially we had three pilots, but we lost one of our captains today.

That’s why we’re diverting to JFK.” Air traffic controllers responded with compassion, arranging medical help on the ground.

READ ALSO:Travel Chaos: Air Canada Shut Down By Flight Attendant Strike

The aircraft landed at New York’s JFK Airport at dawn, met by emergency teams and a heavy silence. Turkish Airlines later paid tribute to Captain Pehlivan, who had passed medical checks just months earlier and spent nearly two decades flying safely around the world.

Passengers continued to Istanbul, but the memory of this flight endures a reminder of the resilience of aviators, the fragility of life, and the bond shared by those who soar through the skies.