diff --git a/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts b/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
index c3c767a..71a8756 100644
--- a/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
+++ b/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
@@ -17,25 +17,25 @@ export async function sendMessage(phone: string, message: string | {text: string
     // Normalize message input to always have text property
     const messageText = typeof message === 'string' ? message : message.text;
     
-    // Always include number and text at top level
-    let payload: any = {
+    // Build payload according to API specification
+    const payload = {
       number: phone,
-      text: messageText,
+      textMessage: {
+        text: messageText
+      },
       options: {
         delay: 1200,
         presence: 'composing',
-        linkPreview: false
+        linkPreview: false,
+        ...(mentions.length > 0 && {
+          mentions: {
+            everyOne: false,
+            mentioned: mentions.map(phone => phone.split('@')[0])
+          }
+        })
       }
     };
 
-    if (mentions.length > 0) {
-      // Add mentions if provided
-      payload.options.mentions = {
-        everyOne: false,
-        mentioned: mentions.map(phone => phone.split('@')[0])
-      };
-    }
-
     await axios.post(`${API_URL}/message/sendText/${INSTANCE_NAME}`, payload, {
       headers: {
         'Content-Type': 'application/json',