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Beware of the "General" in Your DMs: How to Spot Impersonation Scams
Published June 2, 2026

Beware of the "General" in Your DMs: How to Spot Impersonation Scams

Written by BLESSING ABADI IFEOMA
Here comes the morning. You logged in to your Facebook and saw a message "Good day, Sir" in your inbox sent by a "General. "


Suddenly, shoulders pull back, spine aligns. That is the kind of message that can make anyone stand a little straighter. But what if that "General" in your DM is actually a fraudster sitting in a dark room, waiting for you to lower your guard?

Strange as it might seem, this is what's happening in Nigeria right now. 

A real-life drama has unfolded thanks to actions taken by the Nigerian Army, which raised an alert following discoveries online. Fake profiles pretending to be top army officials have been spreading across Facebook lately. 

These aren’t careless attempts, they’ve lifted actual photos and personal details of commanding figures such as Major General Raymond Utsaha along with Major General Bamidele Alabi. 

Their goal? To look official, gain confidence, and then deceive people through lies that feel convincing at first glance.

  1. ​Why is this scam working
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Most folks trust someone who looks official. Scammers bank on that instinct. A badge or fancy title often silences second thoughts. 


They speed up conversations before doubts can settle in. Money gets handed over fast for paperwork labelled urgent or jobs promised too soon. 


The whole thing vanishes once the payment clears. Real programs never demand cash up front for forms. Confidence wears a costume sometimes. Questions slow down fraudsters every time.


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Not once has the Army said leaders handle deals on private social feeds. When someone claiming to be a general messages you out of nowhere, think twice before replying. 


Real commanders won’t request money or sign contracts over chat. That direct message? More warning signs than career boosts. Official work happens elsewhere, never through personal profiles online.



  1. ​How to protect your peace (and your money)
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Fear isn’t required, yet sharp thinking definitely helps. Staying one step ahead of copycats comes down to a few quiet moves.

Start by checking where the message came from. Real army hiring never happens on personal chat apps like WhatsApp or Facebook. It always runs through official, open systems you can find online. A hidden conversation is not how they bring people in.

Looks official? Not always. A picture in uniform might seem legit, yet fakes exist just the same. Spot the truth by hunting down verification marks online. 
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Cross-reference details using army.gov sources or accounts already confirmed genuine.

Start somewhere safe. Picture this: someone online says they’re a high-ranking officer or maybe just offering something basic. 
Money moves only after proof shows up. Try a middle step with companies built for protection. Funds wait there instead of vanishing into thin air. 
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Think twice before calling any deal solid. 

A platform such as Escrow Village locks cash away only released when both sides agree it’s done.
 
Watch out when someone called "General" comes knocking. Pay attention, check every detail carefully, yet trust your gut most of all. 

When pressure builds fast, pause that urgency likely hides something off.

Secure your upcoming deal through Escrow Village right here.
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