From TikTok to tragedy: European man's online romance sparks fears of scams, dangers in Nigeria

Viral News: A European family is deeply worried after their 65-year-old relative, who has been married for years, announced plans to divorce his wife and move to Lagos, Nigeria, to marry a young woman he met on TikTok. Despite his family’s protests and attempts to intervene, the man, who has been in communication with the woman for over a year, remains determined to go through with the plan. The man has already sent significant amounts of money to her for various reasons, including visa applications that have not yet materialized. A Reddit user, identifying as the man's nephew, shared the family’s concerns, saying, "It started a year ago. My uncle (65+, married) met a young girl (20-25) on TikTok, started chatting, and fell in love… Since then, he sent a lot of money to her for numerous reasons."

Uncle dismisses warnings about a potential scam

Despite the family’s ongoing efforts to warn him, the uncle continues to dismiss concerns about a potential scam. "He doesn't listen to anyone, doesn't believe that it is a scam," said the nephew. The family’s fears have escalated to worrying about their relative’s safety, with many concerned that he could face dangerous consequences in Lagos. The family has expressed concerns that the uncle could be robbed, tortured, or even murdered due to his involvement with the woman.

A growing trend of online marriages and scams

This troubling story follows a similar case that gained attention earlier this year. In that case, 33-year-old American woman Onijah Andrew Robinson traveled to Pakistan to marry a 19-year-old man she met online. Robinson’s journey, which seemed romantic at first, quickly turned into a challenging and chaotic experience. After arriving in Karachi in October 2024 to marry Nidal Ahmed Memon, Robinson faced unforeseen obstacles and became a viral sensation as she struggled to navigate the complexities of her decision.

Family pleads for intervention

In both cases, the families involved have made efforts to intervene, warning their loved ones about the dangers of online relationships that could be scams. However, both the European man and the American woman have remained resolute in their decisions, despite mounting evidence that their romantic encounters may not be what they appear. These incidents highlight the growing issue of online scams and the dangers of meeting strangers through social media platforms.