“Watch and earn” apps: how online pyramid schemes are scamming a generation 💸

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They go by names like “Google,” “Watch and Win,” “Video Cash,” or “ViewPro.” The branding sounds polished—promising easy money for watching videos—but beneath the surface lies a sophisticated scam. In Cameroon, these so-called earning apps are spreading fast, preying on people struggling financially and offering false hope. The pitch is simple: watch a few clips, click some links, invite your friends, and get paid. Or so they claim.

A tempting offer 💸

Links to these platforms circulate through SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook, often shared by friends or acquaintances. In hard times, the promise of effortless income can be hard to resist. The messages are well-crafted, selling the idea of working from home, earning without lifting a finger. Some even come with screenshots of payment proofs and video testimonials.

“When I saw the ad, I didn’t think twice. It looked legit—just watch videos and get paid. I figured, why not?” says Nadège, a university student.

Like her, many young people signed up for platforms asking for a small initial deposit to “activate” their accounts. At first, everything seems to work. The app shows growing balances, and sometimes even allows small withdrawals—just enough to build trust. But soon after, the platform freezes or disappears. And that’s when reality hits.

Behind the screen, a pyramid scheme 🧱

These scams operate like classic Ponzi schemes. Early users may get some money out—but only because new users are feeding money in. The illusion lasts as long as fresh sign-ups keep coming. Once that slows, the whole system collapses.

“We used this app called Google—but it wasn’t the real Google,” recalls Emmanuel (name changed), a sales agent. “You watched videos, leveled up, and earned rewards. It felt serious. Some people even invested their savings from local community funds. Then one morning, it just stopped working. The app wouldn’t open. No one responded. I lost money I’d rather not even name.”

These platforms frequently rebrand and resurface under new names, duping a fresh batch of users each time—and leaving behind a trail of victims too ashamed to speak up.

Why these scams work 🤔

What makes these scams so effective is how convincingly they simulate legitimacy. Fake payment receipts, scripted voice notes, sleek tutorials—it all looks professional.

“You see people getting paid and think it must be real,” says Prisca, a market vendor. “When you ask around, others tell you it works—you just need to invite more people. So you do. But it’s all a scam.”

The illusion is airtight. Many victims never report what happened, either out of embarrassment or fear of being mocked. And poverty plays a major role. When you’re desperate, even a clearly suspicious opportunity can feel worth the risk. The idea of making money from home, using just a phone and internet connection, is too appealing for many to ignore.

A deeply rooted digital scam 🌐

Authorities are struggling to respond. These operations are entirely digital, hosted on foreign servers, and the perpetrators are almost impossible to trace. It’s a textbook Ponzi scheme—no real products, no actual advertising—just a flow of money from new users to older ones. When recruitment stalls, everything collapses.

“My cousin got me into it. Now he avoids me,” says Alex, a university student. “We all lost money—our savings. We really thought it was a smart move.”

Few victims ever file complaints. Most know the odds of recovering their money are slim. While some influencers and community pages have started issuing warnings, for many, it’s already too late.

What you can do to stay safe 🚨

To avoid falling into these traps, here are a few simple but crucial rules :

• Don’t invest in apps or platforms you don’t fully understand.
• Never trust “proofs” of payment without solid verification.
• Don’t invite friends into systems you’re unsure about.

Despite the warnings, new scams continue to emerge—same model, different names. They sell dreams in a few clicks and leave heartbreak in their wake.

Your voice matters !!
Have you ever come across these kinds of “easy money” apps online? What’s your strategy to spot and avoid digital scams? Share your experience in the comments. 💬