The reports about some Nigerians using fake celebrity profiles on social media to scam people all over the world has received another entry, as a young Congolese lady currently living in Paris fell victim to a fake Majid Michel on twitter. The fake Majid, using the twitter handle @majid30 was able to convince the star-struck lady that he was indeed the Ghanaian actor, following casual tweets about certain activities involving the actor over the period. The two then took their twitter relationship onto Yahoo Messenger, where the fake Majid convinced her further with updates about Majid Michel. After winning the trust of the lady, the fake Majid Michel at a point came up with a story that the actor was stranded in Nigeria following a movie shoot gone bad, and that he needed some funds.  The lady sent 2,500 euros through Western Union in the name of Majid Michel and surprisingly the fake Majid was able to clear the amount in Nigeria.  He continued asking for more money from the lady who at this point seemed to have fallen in love with the presumed actor, until the lady’s sister became suspicious of events. After probing further, the fake Majid whose real name is Benjamin Ekom confessed that he wasn’t the real Majid but knew the actor casually in Nigeria. He gave a nonchalant explanation to the lady, saying that he did what he did because he had to eat.  He even asked for a continuing love relationship regardless of what had happened.

Investigations revealed that Benjamin Ekom belongs to a network of scammers using facebook and twitter accounts of known African celebrities to extort money from people.  Other fake celebrity accounts in the network include Uti Nwachuku, Jim Iyke and others. Benjamin who also uses the name Ekom E Udoh may live in Lagos, Apapa and some of his allies include Dan Nononso.