A United States-based data marketplace, Kled AI, has withdrawn its app from Nigeria and imposed a nationwide IP ban following what it described as widespread and organised fraud among users.

The company said the decision came after internal reviews revealed high levels of abuse that disrupted its operations.

Company cites ‘95% fraudulent activity’

Kled AI founder Avi Patel disclosed that about 95 per cent of user activity from Nigeria was found to be fraudulent.

“We have removed Kled from the Nigerian app store and IP banned the entire region,” he said.

The platform, launched in 2025, pays users to upload digital content such as photos and videos used to train artificial intelligence systems.

Abuse of platform raises concerns

According to the company, many users allegedly submitted black screens, duplicate files, internet-sourced images and AI-generated content instead of original data.

The abuse, Patel said, made the platform ineffective for its intended purpose.

He also alleged that some users bypassed identity checks by submitting fake documents, including altered foreign passports during verification processes.

Comparison with other countries

Kled AI noted that fraud rates in other markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines remained below 10 per cent despite larger user bases.

The company said the contrast influenced its decision to suspend operations in Nigeria.

Possible return not ruled out

Despite the withdrawal, Patel indicated that the decision may not be permanent.

He said the company could reconsider Nigeria if stronger fraud detection systems are developed to manage abuse at scale.

Mixed reactions trail move

The development has sparked reactions online, with some Nigerians acknowledging abuse of digital earning platforms, while others questioned the credibility of the claims.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns about trust and credibility in Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy.