Last updated on August 6th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Instagram has been the home to beauty queens, good vibes and sadly bold-faced scammers.
Just ask Gloria Eze, a Lagos-based fashion lover who fell victim to a stylish Instagram page, only to be ghosted and blocked after paying ₦18,000 for a dress that never came.
This isn’t your average late delivery story. The vendor? wears.store_ng, who later blocked Gloria, changed their name, and continued scamming under new identities.
It is wild. But it’s also real, and it exposes something many of us ignore when shopping online: the importance of professionalism. Mainly in how businesses present themselves, like having a real business email.
Join me as we take a look at the behind the scenes of this scandal. And see how it ties back to something every legitimate brand big or small, should take seriously: digital trust.
The Scam That Sparked It All
In May 2023, Gloria, a Lagos State resident, transferred ₦18,000 for a trendy dress she had seen on Instagram. The page looked convincing at first, minimalist product shots, over 10k followers. And lots of stories accompanied by supposed “customer reviews.”
But in truth, the red flags were blinding:
- No business email or website: Only a WhatsApp number and DM replies.
- A vague Instagram bio littered with emojis and suspicious “promo” offers.
- Comments turned off on every post.
- And the biggest one? The vendor ghosted her immediately after payment.
“That was my first time patronising her. The seller blocked me on all platforms and did not deliver my dress to me. This was after I had transferred N18,000 to a PalmPay account number sent to me. The name on the account was Akinpelu Bode.” Gloria told FIJ.
“I chatted with the vendor, asking for either my dress or a refund, but she kept mute. It’s already two months, yet I haven’t heard anything,” said Eze.
She wasn’t alone.
Within a week, the account @wears.store_ng had vanished. Only to resurface as @enchantress_wear, posting the same photos, using the same type of captions, and even recycling old highlights.
Other victims soon came forward, sharing eerily similar stories: some were blocked when they asked for delivery updates. Others were never sent tracking numbers, or worse, received fake ones from nonexistent couriers.
The full exposé was published by FIJ Nigeria, who traced at least three other Instagram handles linked to the same scam network. What they all had in common? No verifiable contact details, no refund policy, and no business email just a simple Insta account and a Whatsapp number.
Why Does This Happening So Often?
Well, because starting an Instagram page is easy. And scamming? Even easier when you look just legit enough to pass for a small biz.
According to Pulse Nigeria, these scam vendors follow a familiar and frighteningly effective playbook. So, how do they do it?
They have no traceable contact beyond DMs
Most of these scam vendors only respond via DMs or WhatsApp. No business email. No phone number. No store address.
They use multiple IG pages with slight name differences
They operate duplicate or backup pages with almost identical names. When one gets flagged or reported, they quietly shift operations.
They have generic bios full of emojis
Their bios are often vague, filled with “🔥”, “💯”, and phrases like “Fast delivery nationwide 🚚.” they barely provide any real information.
Turned-off comments
They usually disable comments on posts to prevent complaints or warnings from other victims.
Limited or stolen reviews
Any reviews they post are either copied from others or faked using dummy accounts.
No website or secure checkout option
Payments are always through direct transfer or mobile money. They never have a proper ecommerce platform.
Too-good-to-be-true deals
You find that a ₦25k wig costs ₦5k or ₦2,000 for a two-piece that is “handmade” and “limited edition”? These fake vendors know how to dangle mouth-watering prices just to make you send money before you even blink.
Low-quality or stolen product photos
Most of the time, they use professional photos from Pinterest or another seller’s page.
Vanishing act after payment
Once your money hits their account, they go full ghost mode. Blocked. DMs deleted. Page gone.
Next thing you know, they are back online under a fresh handle like @_wears_by_chichi or @luxefits.ngg, repeating the same script.
What is a Business Email Anyway?
A business email is simply an email address that is specifically used for your organization. It includes your company domain name. For example you could use name@yourcompany.com.
This is in contrast to personal emails that use generic domains like @gmail.com or @yahoo.com.
Key Characteristics of Business Email
- Custom Domain Name: In a business email, a domain name that reflects what the business is about is used instead of a generic one.
- Professional Marketing: Business emails are often required in email marketing campaigns. This is because they are often looked at as more trustworthy.
- Brand Recognition: When you use a business email, it shows you have nothing to hide. In turn, people know and recognize your brand as legit.
- Professionalism: Business emails project a more professional image which increases your credibility. Clients then start to trust you that you won’t go MIA on them once they make money transfers.
- Enhanced Security: Many business email providers give you advanced security features. For instance Two-Factor Authentication and protection against phishing.
Why a Business Email Changes Everything
So far we have established that most scammers love hiding behind Whatsapp and DMs. They hate the concept of a branded domain because this means they lose something once they have been exposed as scammers.
A business domain to them means they have something to lose. For someone legitimate, it means:
- They are invested in their business
- They are traceable
- They are running things by themselves with nothing to hide.
Try to think of a business email like a perfume. Nobody needs it, I mean it is not a basic need. But when you wear it, you leave an impression on anyone who walks by you.
Read Also:
- What to Include (and Not Include) in Business Emails in Nigeria
- How To Create A Professional Email Signature
So What’s This Got to Do With Hosting?
It’s all simple really. If you are running an online business and do not have a full website yet, this move could distinguish you from fake vendors.
To have a business email such as support@mybrand.com, you first need to:
Buy a domain name: First, you need to register a domain name with a registrar. and get you a domain name like yourbrand.com.
Get a hosting plan: Choose a hosting provider could be Google Workspace or Truehost. Based on your needs, goals and budget, choose the plan that suits you best. This is where your email and website(if you have one) will live.
Create email accounts: Could be via cPanel or your host dashboard.
Thing is, not all providers will fit into your goals and serve you right. A good hosting provider will not just give you server space. They will offer you:
- Unlimited or at least multiple custom email accounts
- Secure access to webmail or mail clients like Outlook or Gmail via POP/IMAP
- Spam protection
- Fast delivery and better inbox credibility as opposed to free Gmail/Yahoo
So next time you are on the look out for a good hosting provider, be sure to look for all these things in their packages.
FAQs
Can I use my business email on Gmail or my phone?
Yes! You can connect your custom domain email to Gmail, Outlook, or your phone’s native mail app via POP or IMAP.
Is business email only for big companies?
Not at all. Even Instagram vendors, food preppers, or hair stylists benefit from having a branded email.
What if I don’t have a website yet?
You can still use your hosting plan to create a domain email, even if your site is coming later. Just pick a name that you will use for your website later.
Can scammers also fake a business email?
It is harder for them. Most won’t go through the trouble of setting up a domain and hosting just to vanish after ₦5k.
Ready to Set Up Your Business Email Today?
Take a look at our affordable hosting plans that come with free business email accounts, a full cPanel access and 24/7 hour support for startups. Doesn’t matter if you are selling wigs or launching a full ecommerce empire. Just make it legit right from the first click.
👉 Start Here: Affordable Hosting & Free Email for Nigerian Businesses
Final Takeaway: Don’t Just Look Legit, Be Legit
Instagram scams are getting smarter. But the solution isn’t to not trust small vendors. It is to hold them to a higher standard. And if you are a small business owner reading this? Don’t wait for someone to tweet about you. Upgrade your presence today with a business email.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. All you need is to get a domain, get hosting, and set up a business email. And start running your store like a CEO.