The Story of Kemi and Ibrahim: A Hard Lesson in Freelance Hiring
Kemi, a budding entrepreneur in Lagos, was excited about her new business venture—a digital marketing agency focused on helping small businesses grow their online presence. As her business began to take off, Kemi realized she needed a professional logo and a website to establish her brand’s identity. With a tight budget, she turned to online platforms to find a freelancer who could deliver high-quality work at an affordable price.
One day, while browsing a freelance marketplace, Kemi came across Ibrahim, a graphic designer and web developer based in Kano. His portfolio was impressive, showcasing sleek logos and modern websites. Eager to get started, Kemi reached out to Ibrahim through WhatsApp to discuss her project.
Their conversation flowed smoothly. Ibrahim was friendly and seemed genuinely interested in bringing Kemi’s vision to life. After a few exchanges of ideas and revisions, they agreed on a package: Ibrahim would design a logo and build a basic website for Kemi’s agency. The total cost was reasonable, and Ibrahim requested an upfront payment of 70% to begin the work, with the remaining 30% to be paid upon completion.
Feeling confident after their discussions and seeing Ibrahim’s previous work, Kemi transferred the upfront payment to his bank account. Ibrahim quickly acknowledged the payment and assured Kemi that she would see initial drafts within a week.
A week passed, and then another, with no drafts in sight. Kemi’s messages went from friendly inquiries to concerned follow-ups, but Ibrahim’s responses became increasingly delayed and vague. Eventually, he stopped responding altogether. Kemi’s excitement turned to frustration as she realized she had been scammed. Ibrahim had disappeared with her money, and her business was left without the branding it desperately needed.
How Escrowmart Could Have Protected Kemi
A Hard Lesson in Freelance Hiring
Kemi’s situation could have been entirely different if she had used Escrowmart to facilitate her transaction with Ibrahim. Here’s how Escrowmart could have prevented the scam:
- Secure Payment with Escrowmart: Instead of paying Ibrahim directly, Kemi could have deposited the upfront payment into an Escrowmart account. This would have ensured that Ibrahim only received the funds after Kemi had seen and approved the initial drafts of the logo and website.
- Guaranteeing Project Milestones: Escrowmart allows for payments to be tied to specific project milestones. Kemi could have set up a milestone for the delivery of initial drafts, another for revisions, and a final one for the completed project. This would have given her control over the release of funds, ensuring that Ibrahim fulfilled his obligations at each stage.
- Dispute Resolution: If Ibrahim had failed to deliver the work as promised, Kemi could have initiated a dispute through Escrowmart. The platform’s dispute resolution process would have reviewed the case, and if Ibrahim was found to be at fault, the funds would have been returned to Kemi.
- Peace of Mind for Both Parties: Using Escrowmart would have provided a layer of security for both Kemi and Ibrahim. Kemi would have been assured that her money was safe until she was satisfied with the work, and Ibrahim would have known that he would be paid promptly once the project was completed.
The Takeaway
Kemi’s story is a reminder of the risks involved in hiring freelancers online, especially when payments are made upfront. Trust is important, but when it comes to safeguarding your hard-earned money, security should never be overlooked. Kemi’s desire to build her brand was undermined by a scam that could have been easily avoided with the right precautions.
The next time you need to hire a freelancer or make any online transaction, think of Kemi’s experience. Protect yourself by using Escrowmart at www.escrowmart.com.ng. Escrowmart provides a secure way to ensure that both parties fulfill their commitments, giving you the confidence to focus on your business without the fear of being scammed. Don’t let your dream project turn into a nightmare—use Escrowmart and keep your transactions safe.
