By Isah Yahaya & GuarantorPay.ng
In recent months, a new phenomenon has gripped Nigeria – Tapswap, a mobile app that promises easy money simply by tapping on your phone screen. Tapswap has gone viral, with people across the country feverishly tapping away in hopes of striking it rich. But as the craze intensifies, a darker reality is unfolding – what started as a seemingly innocuous game is revealing itself to be an elaborate scam preying on the desperation of innocent and vulnerable Nigerians.
The Allure of Tapswap
The premise of Tapswap is deceptively simple. Users download the app (or join the Telegram bot via link referral) and start tapping an icon, accumulating virtual tokens with each tap. The more you tap, the more tokens you earn. But it’s not just mindless tapping – Tapswap incentivises users to invite others, mimicking the referral systems common in web3 and cryptocurrency platforms. With promises of earning big money without any upfront investment, it’s easy to see why Tapswap caught on like wildfire across Nigeria.
The Fake Phase
In the beginning, Tapswap appeared legitimate. Users could tap away, rack up tokens, solidifying the belief that this was a legitimate way to make money online.
However, as the users progressed, a more insidious layer of the scheme emerged.
To qualify for withdrawals, after such accumulations through Tapswap with imposed strict referral requirements– users had to invite at least ten new people to join the platform. This mechanic, reminiscent of pyramid schemes, was the first red flag that Tapswap was not as innocent as it seemed.
The Scam Unveiled
For those who managed to meet the referral conditions, the real scam was just beginning. Upon requesting a withdrawal, users were hit with a shocking demand to pay a ₦5,000 (varies ₦2,500 – ₦5,000) between “activation fee” to a provided personal bank account (Ah! not even a Tapswap account), supposedly to verify their identity and prevent bot abuse.
One user, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their experience: “I had tapped for weeks and finally qualified to withdraw ₦350,000. But then they asked me to pay ₦5,000 to someone’s personal bank account.
When I did, they stopped recognising my account, and I lost everything.”
This pattern has repeated itself across countless Tapswap users in Nigeria. Pay the fee, and the app (or Telegram bot) goes silent, leaving victims out of pocket and with no recourse.
The Web3 Connection
While Tapswap’s mechanics are undoubtedly shady, they also mirror certain aspects of the web3 and cryptocurrency space. The emphasis on referrals, token economies, and the promise of easy money echoes the hype and speculation that has fueled various crypto bubbles.
However, unlike legitimate web3 projects built on transparent blockchains, Tapswap operates in the shadows, with no accountability or real underlying value. It’s a stark reminder that while the potential of web3 is exciting, it can also be a breeding ground for scams and exploitation, especially in regions like Nigeria where economic desperation runs high.
A Word of Caution
It’s crucial to exercise extreme caution when engaging with platforms like Tapswap. Users should never share personal or financial information with unknown entities, as this can lead to identity theft and financial loss. The lure of easy money should never supercede basic safety precautions.
Call to Action
The Nigerian government and relevant authorities must take swift action to shut down those personal accounts numbers being used by these Tapswap scammers. As evidenced by the example of the Kud*da bank account I already have where money is asked to be paid, these scammers are brazenly operating in the open, exploiting vulnerable citizens. Decisive action is needed to protect the public and send a clear message that such fraudulent activities will not be tolerated.
Conclusion
As the Tapswap craze continues to spread across Nigeria, it’s crucial for people to recognise the reality behind the tapping frenzy. What began as a seemingly harmless game has evolved into an elaborate scam, preying on the hopes and dreams of those seeking financial freedom.
While the allure of easy money is strong, the harsh truth is that there is no shortcut to wealth– any opportunity that seems too good to be true like this. As Nigerians navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, it’s essential to remain vigilant, do thorough research, and prioritise legitimate, transparent opportunities over get-rich-quick schemes like Tapswap and others.
In the end, the Tapswap phenomenon serves as a cautionary tale– a reminder that the path to financial prosperity is in paved with hard work, perseverance, and a keen eye for distinguishing fact from fiction.
