A Nigerian man, identified on X as SegunDelzakes, has gone viral after revealing how a late-night browsing session on the SHEIN app turned into an unplanned expense of over N108,000. The incident, which occurred while he was simply passing time, has sparked widespread discussion about the dangers of saved payment details on shopping apps.
How the Accidental Purchase Happened
SegunDelzakes explained that he was unable to sleep and picked up his phone to browse. He opened the SHEIN app and began adding clothes to his cart, treating it as a casual, no-stakes activity. At no point did he intend to actually buy anything. However, his bank card was already linked to his account, and when he tapped the 'Complete Transaction' button out of curiosity, the payment went through instantly.
"Boom! The payment went through instantly, and my account was debited," he wrote on X, attaching a screenshot of a debit alert showing N108,606.00 charged to his account. The post quickly gained traction, resonating with many Nigerians who are familiar with the ease of one-click purchases on shopping apps.
Reactions and Implications
The situation highlighted how quickly a harmless browsing habit can become a costly mistake when card details are pre-linked to an account. Many users shared their own similar experiences, with some advising others to remove saved payment methods from apps to avoid accidental purchases.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for online shoppers, especially in Nigeria where e-commerce is growing rapidly. According to recent data, Nigeria's e-commerce market is projected to reach $75 billion by 2025, making such accidental purchases increasingly common.
Related Incident: Lagos Jewelry Vendor Recovers Money
In a related story, Legit.ng previously reported that a Lagos jewelry vendor recounted how a long-time customer bought N1.5 million worth of items before returning an hour later with a fabricated emergency to claim a refund. The customer provided convincing photos and videos of an alleged accident involving her daughter, prompting the vendor to return the money before discovering the refund receipt was fake.
These incidents underscore the need for vigilance in online transactions, both for buyers and sellers. As more Nigerians embrace digital shopping, experts advise double-checking transactions and securing payment methods to prevent such mishaps.
