Nigerian online activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), has spoken out against the elaborate scam that defrauded a 53-year-old French woman, Anne, of her life savings.
The incident, which saw Anne lose $850,000 (over ₦1.5 billion), has drawn international outrage for its sophistication and cruelty.
The fraudsters posed as Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, using AI-generated images and fabricated stories to deceive Anne into believing she was in a romantic relationship with the actor. The scammers spun an intricate web of lies, including claims that Brad Pitt required urgent surgery for kidney cancer and that his accounts were frozen by his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie.
Manipulated by these emotional narratives, Anne transferred her life savings to what she thought was an account intended to support the actor. The heartbreaking reality came to light when investigations revealed the scam. Legal representatives have implicated three Nigerians in orchestrating the fraud.
Reacting to the incident on his official Facebook page, VDM condemned the alleged involvement of Nigerian Yahoo boys, expressing his shock and disappointment. In a video that quickly gained traction, he criticized the perpetrators and the broader Yahoo culture, calling it a disgrace to the nation.
VDM highlighted the reckless spending habits of fraudsters, who often squander their ill-gotten wealth on frivolous items like luxury cars and extravagant lifestyles, with no thought for the victims’ suffering.
In an unexpected twist, VDM provided a financial lesson for the offenders, urging them to redirect their actions toward more productive avenues. While acknowledging the illegality of their activities, he suggested they use their misappropriated funds to benefit their communities.
He encouraged investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship, which could help develop Nigeria and bring meaningful progress. His thought-provoking critique emphasized the power of wealth when used responsibly.
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