The client who promised me heaven and disappeared with my money

Two years ago I was in a co-working space in Yaba, minding my business, when this guy walked up to me. Fine suit, sweet mouth, the kind of confidence that makes you forget to ask questions. He said he had a fintech idea that would change my life. "Deji, this is the next big thing. I just need someone sharp to build the backend."

I should have known. But the money he was talking about... in this economy? I said yes.

For three months I worked like a zombie. Late nights, borrowed money from my cousin to keep the servers running, even skipped my friend's wedding. He kept saying "the funding is coming, just a little more."

Then one morning, his number stopped going through. His office was empty. The co-working space said he owed them too. I stood there, looking at my phone, feeling like the biggest mumu in Lagos.

I learned my lesson the hard way: no matter how sweet the mouth, get everything in writing. And never borrow money to fund another man's dream.