I fell into the hands of "419ners"

After my National Youth Service Corp, I began job hunting like a cheetah running after a prey. In Nigeria, NYSC as it is abbreviated is a scheme designed for graduates to serve the nation compulsorily for one year before they start looking for job placements. It was also designed to foster unity among the ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria.
The most prominent and common scam in Nigeria is what is generally known as "advanced fee fraud" and locally called "419". How it came about that coded numeric name is a story for another day. This form of scam takes different dimensions. It mostly involves payment for non existing goods or services. It could be either in the public or private sector.
As soon as i finished my service year i began sending my resume to organisation and companies for possible placement. I unfortunately met a man who claimed to be a job scout for the government in my state. He promised to facilitate my job placement in the Ministry of Justice. His sugar-coated tongue made me believe him. He said i only need to give him N250,000.00. He reiterated that the said money will be used to "grease the palm" of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry. I swung into action as i applied for loan of the said money from a cooperative society i joined while in school.
I took the money to him after about a week and he promised that the following month, i should come and resume work. Not asking the job description, kind and level, i sang hymns of praise throughout my journey home.
Then came my assumption of duty day, i dressed formally in black suit on a white shirt with a grey coloured tie. As i alighted from the public bus i boarded to my new office complex, my eyes sighted a "Black Maria" parked outside the complex with some policemen lurking around it. "Black Maria" is used to convey criminals or suspects mostly from the prison or detrntion to the Court for case hearings
I later found out that the man i paid money to was one of the most wanted "419" in the state. He has swindled many people of their money with a promise of securing a job for them. I became dumbfounded. The policemen whisked me away to the police station not in the "Black Maria" but in a wagon vehicle in order to take down my statements and file a case for me.
It was an horrible and horrendous experience. I swore never to fall into the hands of "419ners" again. After some years, i got a job of teaching in a private school with a meagre salary. But ever since the 'gospel according to Steemit' was preached to me, i resolved that i will strive and work hard and stay focused in it. I might consider quitting my job in order to have more time to blog through Steemit.