Kled AI, a US-based platform that compensates users for uploading photos, videos, and other data, has suspended its operations in Nigeria after uncovering widespread fraudulent activity. The company, launched in 2025, operates as a marketplace connecting individuals with artificial intelligence firms in need of quality training data.
Fraud Concerns Trigger Ban
The ban was announced by the company's founder, Avi Patel, on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, May 4, 2026. According to Patel, the company removed its app from Nigerian app stores and blocked access from the country after discovering that nearly 95% of user activity from the region was fraudulent. Patel stated: "We have removed Kled from the Nigerian app store and IP banned the entire region. After several months of uploads we found that Nigeria had a ≈95% fraud rate. Instead of real, usable data, users were uploading pictures of black screens, duplicate photos, internet generated images, AI generated images, etc. at an unimaginable scale."
He noted that the platform had already paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars within just four months before the abuse became too large to manage. Many submissions included blank images, repeated files, AI-generated content, and manipulated identification documents during the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Some users reportedly uploaded fake Japanese passports with altered photos, raising serious concerns about data integrity.
Kled Compares Nigeria with Other Markets
Patel contrasted Nigeria’s situation with other countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where fraud levels reportedly remained below 10% despite having larger user bases. This sharp difference played a key role in the decision to suspend Nigerian operations entirely.
Kled's Possible Return Amid Mixed Reactions
While the company has enforced a full restriction for now, Patel hinted that the move may not be permanent. He noted that Kled AI could reconsider its presence in Nigeria if it develops stronger systems to detect and prevent fraud at scale. The decision has sparked mixed reactions online. Some Nigerians acknowledged that misuse of online earning platforms is a recurring issue, while others questioned the accuracy of the claims, suggesting the figures may be overstated or part of a publicity strategy.
