By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
In recent weeks, a significant uproar has emerged surrounding a deceptive business scheme known as “Super Advertis,” causing widespread distress and financial loss among Sierra Leoneans who fell victim to the scam.
The fraudulent platform operated online in Sierra Leone from October 2023 to late December 2023, allegedly defrauding individuals of an estimated 9,000,000,000.00 Leone ($369,000.00) through task commissions on a financial app associated with the leading telecommunications company, Orange SL.
Reports from monitoring apps and prominent newspapers detail the alleged fraudulent activities of Super Advertis, which purportedly convinced individuals to make deposits and engage in tasks with promises of substantial returns. Victims, like Majou Kamara and Amie, share stories of losing significant amounts of money, leaving them in financial distress.
Following these accusations, Super Advertise claimed that Orange SL froze its accounts, hindering their ability to carry out transactions for their customers. In response, the telecommunications company issued a statement on January 3rd, 2024, vehemently denying any association with Super Advertise and refuting the existence of frozen accounts linked to the accused company on their Orange Money platform.
The conflicting narratives between Super Advertise and Orange SL have heightened tensions within the Sierra Leonean community, prompting authorities to investigate the allegations and assess the extent of the fraudulent activities. The total amount allegedly swindled by Super Advertise exceeds 80 billion Leone, leading affected individuals to seek justice and accountability for their losses.
This fraudulent saga serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online platforms and emphasizes the importance of exercising due diligence in online transactions. Concerned citizens call for increased oversight from regulatory bodies to prevent future occurrences, highlighting the need for caution in engaging with online services in Sierra Leone.
The aftermath of this scam has not only resulted in financial distress but has also sparked a broader conversation about the vulnerabilities associated with online transactions and the imperative for regulatory measures to protect users in the evolving landscape of online services.