By Ejiofor Toochi
Computer Village, Nigeria’s largest ICT hub, has long been known for affordable and resourceful gadget deals and repair services, but for ages, many have fallen victim to various scams. In 2025, in an era of increased digital awareness, do people still get scammed in Computer Village?
In previous years, stories of counterfeit or faulty products, switch and bait, fake naira notes, pickpockets, and fake repairmen defined the image of this ICT hub. Countless buyers fell victim to these tricks, but with time, and the rise of the internet, the scams became more widely known, and people gradually grew more cautious and informed.
The reality is that while Computer Village has undergone many transformations, scams have not entirely disappeared. Instead, they have adapted to the times. In the past, a typical scam might involve selling a phone box filled with soap or handing over a “brand new” device that stopped working within hours.
Such tricks have reduced significantly, largely due to stricter monitoring by market associations, increasing consumer awareness, and the rise of online accountability. Today, receipts and warranties are more common, and many shops have even taken to advertising themselves on social media to build trust with customers.
Yet, the possibility of falling victim to deception remains. The methods have become more subtle. Joseph, a vendor at Computer Village, said that even today, people still fall for scams like buying dummy phones, low-quality or refurbished devices, and the middleman tricks.
Another vendor, Olamide, added, “Most of the scams run in computer village are from external not insider.”
Rather than selling outright fakes, some vendors misrepresent the quality of their products, such as selling fairly used phones at the price of new ones, or replacing original accessories with cheaper imitations. Others exploit the ignorance of first-time buyers by inflating prices or rushing transactions to discourage close inspection.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed
With newer technologies, even scammers will keep reinventing new ways to dupe people, hence the need to be cautious. To avoid falling victim, Joseph advises buyers to patronise trusted vendors by visiting their shops or offices, especially for the first purchase. He also emphasises the importance of checking both online and offline reviews, requesting payment after delivery when possible, and conducting proper research on the product before buying. Above all, he warns that mindfulness and due diligence remain the strongest defences against fraud in Computer Village.
So, in 2025, scams haven’t disappeared from Computer Village; they’ve simply adapted. The difference is that today’s buyer comes prepared. The rule, however, remains the same as it did years ago: “Shine your eyes.”
READ ALSO: Worst Experiences at Computer Village, Ikeja
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