At Tbay, we've recently been receiving several reports from users about being scammed, especially outside our app on platforms like WhatsApp. These stories are painful, but they’re also important.
That’s why we started this Scam Alert Series, to share real experiences from users who’ve unfortunately fallen victim to scams. Our goal is to raise awareness, educate the community, and help you stay one step ahead of fraudsters.
Here’s one such story where everything seemed fine at first, until one big trade changed everything.
A Real Story of How Someone Pretending to Be from Tbay Fooled a Gift Card Seller
It all started with a WhatsApp message.
The sender claimed to be “working with Tbay” and said they were reaching out personally to “trusted users.” They were polite, professional, and sounded like they really knew what they were doing.The scammer said “You’ll get a better rate if you trade directly with me here on WhatsApp. I work with Tbay vendors, so it’s 100% safe.”
It felt believable. The scammer even sent a screenshot of what looked like completed trades and payment receipts. To build more trust, they suggested starting small and that’s exactly what happened.
🤝 The First Few Trades
The victim agreed to sell a $25 Steam gift card. Within minutes, they received ₦9,000 in their account. Then came a $50 iTunes card, and once again, the payment came through without delay.
Everything seemed smooth, fast, and real. This continued over the next few days. Small trades, prompt payments. The scammer never pressured the victim, didn’t promise anything ridiculous. They just acted like a regular and reliable vendor.
💸 The Big Trade That Changed Everything
One day, the scammer messaged again:
If you have any higher-value cards, I can offer you my best rates today. ₦ 300,000 for a $200 gift card.
The victim had a $200 Apple card they had been holding on to for a while. Trust had already been established. Without thinking twice, they sent the card details.
That was the last they heard.
No reply. No payment. Blocked.
What Happened Actually?
This is a classic scam technique. Scammers know people are more likely to fall for big trades after a few successful small ones. They build credibility, gain your trust, and then disappear when there’s real money on the line.
What made it worse was that the scammer pretended to be part of Tbay and that made the victim let their guard down.
❌ What Tbay Will Never Do
Tbay will never message you on WhatsApp to ask for tradesTbay team members or vendors do not operate outside the appWe do not promise special rates privately, all rates are visible in-app
Any “agent” offering to help you trade on WhatsApp is a scammer
✅ How to Stay Safe While Trading Gift Cards
- Always trade only on the official Tbay channels
Tbay Mobile App (Android & iOS)
Tbay’s Official Telegram Bot (@TbayApp_bot)
Tbay’s Website Portal (https://tbay.store/)
- If someone says they’re from Tbay, verify their identity through official support
- Report suspicious WhatsApp messages or numbers to our team immediately
- Don’t get tempted by “better rates”, it’s the oldest trick in the book
Conclusion:
This story is a reminder: not every smooth-talking vendor is what they seem. If someone wants to trade outside the app, especially while pretending to be associated with Tbay, it's a red flag. Stay smart. Stay safe. And always trade inside the app.
If you’ve experienced or witnessed a scam, share your story with us (anonymously if you wish). The more we speak up, the more we protect others.
Join us now
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://tbay.store
Facebook: Tbay
Tbay App: Google Play Store & App Store
