Love, money and deception - Marie's fight against an online fraudster

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Love, money and deception - Marie's fight against an online fraudster | DW Documentary

Рет қаралды 311,332

Күн бұрын

Marie’s boyfriend wasn’t who he said he was. She was the victim of a romance scam, where an online fraudster feigns romantic intentions towards a victim, then extracts money from them.
Entrepreneur Marie met someone on Instagram who claimed to be an American businessman. She was in a fragile emotional state at the time and quickly fell under his influence. He even pitched a business idea to her and eventually, asked her for money. Marie made several transfers, for sums that she never got back. She had fallen victim to an increasingly common type of online fraud: a romance scam. Many victims are so ashamed of having been tricked that they don’t report the crime. Some even suffer severe emotional fallout.
But Marie decided to fight back. She turned the tables on her scammer, tracking him down and eventually taking him to court - in Nigeria. It seemed the Nigerian confidence trickster had also cheated other women out of money. This film follows Marie to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on her quest for justice.
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Пікірлер: 1 100

@nnyv0040 Ай бұрын

"HELLO, BEAUTIFUL" from a random person - is the most scammy thing ever!

@Morgenmuffel88 23 күн бұрын

Here also come “my Queen”, “babe” and “have you eaten today?”

@Gleyi07 16 күн бұрын

Not true, not always

@akmilar4875 14 күн бұрын

At least it's not that interesting to answer for him

@therealmncwanegwabeni7263 12 күн бұрын

😂😂😂😅

@nyl1969 9 күн бұрын

Agree.even me...somebody sends me that msg."Hello beautiful .."😂😂the same story,but when he start asking money,....a red flag for me😂😂

@johndewey6358 Ай бұрын

I admire Marie for her courage and participating in this publicized documentary. Marie and other victims must be supported by the law enforcement and these fraudsters must be prosecuted. Thank you Marie for exposing the fraudster.

@AmeliaTjekka Ай бұрын

@@Frivals as much as I wanted to say that your comment is mean but sadly,ironically its true 😢 I never understood anyone would fall in love with someone they never met let alone sending money.

@connecttoarun Ай бұрын

@@AmeliaTjekkaYou're right as well but he ( fraudster) also must not play the emotions of her. Atleast he must have empathy.

@luzpablo7440 Ай бұрын

I admire your courage Marie. Good luck.

@johndewey6358 Ай бұрын

@@AmeliaTjekka Since you are NOT Marie and have not lived her life in her shoes you have no right to judge her like that. Only Marie can judge Marie's actions. People do many things, especially under duress of depression or other ailments peoples judgement may be impaired and they may not even know it themselves. Society's responsibility are to protect the good citizens and prosecute the crooks. In this case a crook took advantage of someone who believed that she is helping someone in need of help. While the crook knew all the time that he is lying.

@rumblefish9 12 күн бұрын

@@johndewey6358 Sorry, she is incredibly naive going to Nigeria. Firstly, this is not a 1-man operation. These romance scams are run by syndicates, often involved in other illegal crimes. Secondly, the courts are bribed. She is never getting her money back. She is spending additional money for nothing.

@KaleighMacKay Ай бұрын

Never send money to someone you have never met in person. No phone calls don’t count, Skype calls don’t count, text messages don’t count.

@celestialstar124 Ай бұрын

Don't even send money to people whom you have met only a few times. Not even long lost friend who haven't contact you for years.

@danielaiworo3900 Ай бұрын

@@celestialstar124 if you know any Nigerian in real life that you talk to that person can be a scammer and take advantage of you to try and scam you out of your money and believe me it has happened to me before

@AB-gb4xf Ай бұрын

Never send money.period.

@mahalak4383 Ай бұрын

Don't earn money. No money no scammers

@sandra1761 Ай бұрын

I've been online penpals with this dude for over 10 years. He is from another country. Just recently, he began pushing my boundaries and asking for money. I blocked him right away and never looked back.

@donnabonn1892 Ай бұрын

The Nigerians authorities don't care. Wasting her time and money.

@writingpad7142 Ай бұрын

Exactly they only gave her her day in court because the cameras were rolling, not a chance she will get any money back.

@asd_911 Ай бұрын

If you think so, check this story out. Google 'Emmanuel Nwude'; what this woman is doing will help her in the long run.

@lolabelle4959 Ай бұрын

Yep, they are corrupt AF!

@iamurmakteh Ай бұрын

I ve seen a documentary where nigerians said it s payback for slavery in the past. 😅

@TrentAdam 27 күн бұрын

@@iamurmaktehWell I can't say I feel bad for stupid people losing money though. I'd rather any poor people have it.

@kurumiponpon Ай бұрын

I would delete right away soon as I hear “Hello,Beautiful “ It’s scam

@citygirlingraham Ай бұрын

Right, using words like that with a stranger is a red flag.

@carmensimon1258 Ай бұрын

Or Hello dear

@sharonjames5938 Ай бұрын

Reverse search doesn’t work or show much

@deejay6016 Ай бұрын

@kurumiponpon - and also if they call you 'my queen'.

@Abdukhamidov_Ahrorbek Ай бұрын

Hello beautiful 😂

@LindseyDominguez Ай бұрын

Loneliness is such an Epidemic. Sad that it perpetuates situations like these.

@adj5767 25 күн бұрын

As a Nigerian, this infuriates me. It has only gotten worse over the years😢. I admire her for taking it to the very end. Good for her!

@olgaprokopieva2692 Ай бұрын

I give credit to this woman for the courage to go publicly. She was in a bad place when she was taken advantage of. She had enough expertise and wits to track him down. Wishing her all the best to reclaim her money. Surprisingly when I listened to the scammer's voice on the phone it did not have the usual Nigerian accent and it sounded like a processed voice, an AI-generated voice. The scammers have no compassion for anybody, neither for the victim nor for the victim's family. Do not beguile and do not be beguiled by anybody.

@prizvinyam8356 29 күн бұрын

He’s a typical scam artist. Left hanging. I feel for her. It’s not a Nigerian accent at all far from it.

@DaCatOnTop 28 күн бұрын

She's an absolute hero for fighting back. Outmost respect!

@williamlee9669 Ай бұрын

Nigeria average income is 300 euro a month. 130k is someone there working 36 years. She is never seeing that money again.

@RenetTimemaster Ай бұрын

Hopefully, the movie company paid her something for her time.

@urbanistgod Ай бұрын

@@RenetTimemasterLol that’s peanuts.

@timeforgottentales Ай бұрын

@urbanistgod it's peanuts in comparison to the cost of living in Europe. In Nigeria, €300 by today's exchange rate is about N450K per month. Ample for anyone to live a relatively simple life over there. In the UK employment support is around £80pw. A lot of people live on that (though they get their rent paid). Earnings are relative to the cost of living in the country you live in, so can't compare really.

@urbanistgod Ай бұрын

@@timeforgottentales Dude, I’m talking about what DW paid her. I replied to a comment not the post.

@T1kr3b3u Ай бұрын

If Nigeria had civil forfeiture laws then the courts could seize the scammers assets, sell them all off and collect what they can.

@Pampilici 28 күн бұрын

How on Earth does anyone STILL fall for scammers??!! Blows my mind....

@felicitywillboughby6901 18 күн бұрын

Exactly

@michaelfishman7174 16 күн бұрын

BECAUSE THEY SUFFER FROM LONELINESS, LIKE THIS LADY CONFESSES. SHE CALLS IT DEPRESSION.

@hinada9342 11 күн бұрын

Depression is a monster, everything you'll do، to scape it.

@tabathaterry2998 7 күн бұрын

What's going on with that fake voice he keeps using?

@BosTollie Ай бұрын

Here's a tip...DON'T GIVE ANYONE ANY Money, that includes Celebrities

@aml4111 Ай бұрын

Why would celebrities ask for money… they should be giving out money 😮

@annepollock8306 Ай бұрын

Fake celebrities! @@aml4111

@Inquisitor2024 Ай бұрын

😂@@aml4111

@Inquisitor2024 Ай бұрын

Celebrities wouldn't, but scammers POSING as would

@nothingworksworks3511 26 күн бұрын

bad advice- money time is TOO LATE. ppl get addicted to flirting & an addict will do ANYTHING for supply

@PikesCore24 Ай бұрын

These scams are a major source of income for Nigeria. Their government has no incentive to crack down on these scammers, who are bringing in a major source of revenue.

@DocBree13 Ай бұрын

Exactly

@bevturner2258 Ай бұрын

Wealthy women supporting the poor in Nigeria, however unwillingly…

@citygirlingraham Ай бұрын

They have call centers in Nigeria, this is a business, sitting on the phone for their shifts. Scamming people.

@nomahope3182 Ай бұрын

You would be surprised that this happens all over the world. There are dating sites that hire people to scam people online. Most of these dating sites operate from Europe and are run by Europeans.

@1fan689 Ай бұрын

Scamming "clients"

@user-op7jk3tx2f Ай бұрын

No man should be be asking a woman for money

@w.urlitzer1869 Ай бұрын

and no woman should ask either.

@annalee9911 Ай бұрын

So rigt! Especially a foreigner asking someone from another country!!!! Never never! I'd rather give money to beggar I see than send a dollar overseas!!

@Moution23 Ай бұрын

What about Boss woman?

@muffycrosswire 26 күн бұрын

@@w.urlitzer1869 a woman shouldn’t have to ask a man for money. He’s supposed to provide willingly.

@ellenbrandman7724 26 күн бұрын

Exactly right. It’s so unmanly! These scammers are so unappealing to me, as a woman. They’re so whiny and unattractive.

@ajbrut Ай бұрын

Why do we have to blur perpetrators faces? While victims have to expose everything and be vurnerable. So unfair.

@isay207 25 күн бұрын

Photo is stolen

@passwordsuggestion5336 24 күн бұрын

Not the guy in the meeting@@isay207

@San_Be 22 күн бұрын

@@isay207 His face was blurred when they met in the café.

@user-ub6eg6hq7n 20 күн бұрын

Because he hasn't been convicted of fraud.

@mylifejourney74 9 күн бұрын

Because the guy in the picture is a victim of id fraud as well. So he is masked as well.

@alsmith9853 Ай бұрын

There's no reason for anyone to fall for this sort of scam anymore, it's so common

@deidradahl2802 29 күн бұрын

Correct, especially with almost everybody Social Media savvy. Years ago, people used to depend on the '''Village Crier'' for news, then the radio, now itis at our fingertips.

@SusanSez1 28 күн бұрын

And yet every single freaking day people are falling for the lies from these scammers. It's astonishing.

@user-pf9ud8hj6p Ай бұрын

why would a successful business man in Italy ask a woman he has never met for money? The way I see it she scammed herself. She said it herself she knew it was a scam but wanted to live in LA LA land due to her depression and probably desperation

@pennytilghman3003 26 күн бұрын

Facts ❤well said

@JustineBrownsBookshelf 21 күн бұрын

True, but at least she’s helping to publicise the problem

@emovamp-gw6rc 19 күн бұрын

well, try and find out how they do their manipulating psychologically and emotionally, gain peoples trust & form a deep connection and exploit someone's hope, all for the wrong intentions

@einseitig3391 Ай бұрын

Extremely brave person. Scammers have no mercy whatsoever. Nigeria is known for frauds.

@elizabethbest6992 12 күн бұрын

My guess is that the courts in Nigeria look the other way at this activity. I wouldn't be surprised.

@selaboy Ай бұрын

I will never try to find love online would rather enjoy my single life than fake love 😘 DW never stop to amaze me greetings from Oman 🇴🇲

@ArgusAlf Ай бұрын

يمكن تحصل حب حياتك بدال ما تخضه كل يوم

@falahbaloch Ай бұрын

Right ✅️

@pixiecalv Ай бұрын

Come to uganda

@arpankarki7814 Ай бұрын

People should start going out and meeting real people.

@muffycrosswire 26 күн бұрын

You can get scammed by a real person. Romance scams didn’t start online.

@isay207 25 күн бұрын

But that would mean getting off the computer going out

@emovamp-gw6rc 19 күн бұрын

@@isay207 yes they do that to, I've met them , however there's a limit to how many people they can scam in person, they can do lots more online some do both

@Bocca202 3 күн бұрын

Real people also scam. :)

@Leo-dw4fx Ай бұрын

Single western women are keeping Nigerian economy afloat.

@bevturner2258 Ай бұрын

Redistribution of wealth

@juliamccarthy6786 Ай бұрын

Reparations 😅

@rainbowdreams4718 Ай бұрын

Men AND women

@chrystianaw8256 Ай бұрын

@rainbowdreams4718 the women aren't doing this

@jokiep65 Ай бұрын

only the naive ones.....

@nian60 Ай бұрын

Tip: Do a Reverse Image Search on every photo that he sends you. If he has stolen the photo he's a scammer. Dump him.

@mikrobyo1790 Ай бұрын

lol reverse image is not that powerful

@Paul-uo9sv Ай бұрын

People need to learn this

@ganymededarling Ай бұрын

It still shocks me that people don't do this.

@waldemarsikorski4759 Ай бұрын

@@mikrobyo1790 lol you're wrong

@tyiffpeijc8702 Ай бұрын

@@waldemarsikorski4759 Have you used it extensively? It's not a difficult tool to confuse. Mikrobyo is just warning people not to rely entirely on reverse image search.

@celestialstar124 Ай бұрын

Let's pray that everyone who watch this video won't get scammed by such scam ever again

@liveyourbestlife1878 2 күн бұрын

Common sense is also a good thing to pray for 💁🏼‍♀️ just saying

@CalvinK-the_old_fogey Ай бұрын

In some places, this type of scam is called pig butchering because scammers will groom the victims (fattening up) before butchering them. Just like in cybersecurity, the weakest link is the end-users (victims). Most of us have been targetted. I have received tons of ‘friend requests’ or ‘wrong calls’ from beautiful young women with successful careers and always single. Why would such supermodel-level women be so obsessed to get into a relationship with me? It’s our self-delusion plus greed, lust etc that made online scamming so lucrative.

@encarnijimenez9174 Ай бұрын

Todo el daño que se le hace a los demás se volverá en su contra en algún momento , todo se paga y recibirán su merecido 😞

@julieperry8158 Ай бұрын

That would be my question - why would any man be interested in me?? Give me a break!!

@user-dn9mx3ji9b 13 күн бұрын

The world is upside down. Virtues have been forgotten, lust runs our minds

@raquelpinheiro2394 Ай бұрын

People here bashing Marie as if they were never fooled by anyone. Yeah, right…..

@MECHAUTOMANSPARES Ай бұрын

We as men get canned now and then, hoping for "true love" but we don't complain and make a Fuss about it.

@Ann-sj4pt 26 күн бұрын

yes you do

@michaelfishman7174 16 күн бұрын

LOLLLLL

@inspirementmag Ай бұрын

Why do these stories always say these people "lost" money? These people willingly GAVE their money away.

@SasaSasa-wy9wu Ай бұрын

Well for the exchange of love

@annalee9911 Ай бұрын

@SasaSasa-wy9wu Yup..they ought to not be carried away by love

@paulacarder717 Ай бұрын

I agree

@chicagogirl9862 Ай бұрын

Ya they are foolish 😂

@olufemiadebogun1606 Ай бұрын

Really!!! Under false pretence.....Try loosing your hard earned money to romance then u will know how exactly it feels...pretty lame talk

@spootnik00 Ай бұрын

She got scammed again by the whole country of Nigeria once she landed

@dk1828 Ай бұрын

💯. Cut your losses and hopefully have learned a huge lesson.

@Do-not-be-sheep Ай бұрын

The Nigerian police are frustrated with Westerners (mostly women) who feed this industry and they are equally frustrated with Western National Police forces that do nothing to arrest these criminals. The Nigerian and Indian scammers will not catfish Americans because the FBI has arrested many, dismantling the gangs, and having their leaders extradited to the USA. It is the same reason Canada has become the car theft capital of the world (or the single largest exporter of vehicles to Africa) because the Canadian government and RCMP do nothing to stop this criminal activity where as the USA actually arrests, prosecutes, and jails criminals for a good long time.

@bengtina 3 күн бұрын

Exactly

@toomuchsci-fi Ай бұрын

I think every person is vulnerable to at least one scam, all it takes is a moment of vulnerability at a certain place and time. A person might not fall for this one but these scams keep going because they work. Blaming people for "being stupid" just makes it harder for them to come forward so these things can be stopped a lot faster

@clairehachey2189 Ай бұрын

So many people want to believe in the goodness of others. We are all susceptible in one way or another, even if it doesn't involve a scam. The sad thing is that these scams will continue.

@toomuchsci-fi Ай бұрын

@@clairehachey2189 💯

@deidradahl2802 Ай бұрын

Agreed, but we need to grow a backbone, learn from others, and stand up for ourselves.

@anjane3171 Ай бұрын

True, and this is always what I been telling myself, never underestimate others and never overestimate myself either.

@fsimonab.2068 Ай бұрын

Taking no accountability of their actions will bring them back in the same circle… They will be scammed over and over again …So ..of course the first time I can say …not their fully mistake,but when they continued with that action is 100% their fault. Accountability is the key to do better choices!

@bridgetchapman5985 Ай бұрын

What an amazing lady! So strong and inspiring! She took her power back.

@angelinaleonardo4796 Ай бұрын

Your not a kid. Your an adult. Do you have children? Do you not have family? Do you not have friends that care and love you? Are you educated? What planet are you on? Its people like you that make this industry thrive. Go buy yourself a bible and read it. While in nigeria go find people living in extreme poverty and tell them what you did. Go find a child whos starving to death and tell him or her what you did. Then look at yourself in the mirror..

@ThePushUKLifestyle Ай бұрын

Anyone else notice that the voice in the phone calls is a fake automated voice.

@shellwirtful Ай бұрын

Strange and creepy, would only work on someone with bad English

@SusanSez1 28 күн бұрын

They said it was AI automated for the documentary. You must have missed that.

@pennytilghman3003 26 күн бұрын

Facts ❤

@Singlemum99 25 күн бұрын

Yearssss A thousands men with child's photos 😢 sent me texts via Facebook with sweet words...; then i never use Messenger again.. because too busy being motherhood plus know it's fakes.. real friends n family members have my phone number for good. So Ladies takecare of yourself and becareafully

@Singlemum99 25 күн бұрын

@@shellwirtfulYearssss A thousands men with child's photos 😢 sent me texts via Facebook with sweet words...; then i never use Messenger again.. because too busy being motherhood plus know it's fakes.. real friends n family members have my phone number for good. So Ladies takecare of yourself and becareafully

@ileanamuntean7338 Ай бұрын

Marie seems such a nice person, I hope she is with people who are genuine and love her.

@isay207 25 күн бұрын

There always is an element of greed lazy and ego in the victims

@annemorris9612 Ай бұрын

When I received these messages I only do 1 thing .....delete.

@_pindi_ Ай бұрын

I don't understand people who send money to someone they just met on the internet..

@SasaSasa-wy9wu Ай бұрын

Loneliness, depression ?

@tytiw516 Ай бұрын

The juju part was ridiculous 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@sheilachepkemoi3036 Ай бұрын

🤣🤣

@GloryDaze73 Ай бұрын

More scamming with juju priests 😂😂

@planestrainsdogsncars4336 Ай бұрын

That's when i clicked off ....

@prizvinyam8356 29 күн бұрын

The juju guy was probably a scammer too 😂😂😂

@user-dn9mx3ji9b 13 күн бұрын

DW is the new Bollywood 😢

@csong9940 Ай бұрын

When you willingly give money to a person who lies to you, there's not much the police can do about it. No one forced you to give a scammer the money. And when the scammer is in another country, what can the local police in your hometown do? Did she expect they would fly to Nigeria and track him down and arrest him? They have no jurisdiction and they have more serious crimes to investigate back home. Yeah, this woman is brave for being willing to take her story public because plenty of people will ridicule her. But even in this documentary, her expectations are wildly unrealistic and naive. I find it hard to believe that no one explained to her the concepts of jurisdiction and criminal vs. civil law. It's hard for me to have sympathy for her because she still does not appear to have learned her lesson.

@IloveCamels335 Ай бұрын

Agreed.

@xskrym Ай бұрын

Scammers nearly succeeded in auctioning Elvis Presley's house, that's how sophisticated the scams are. What about a lonely, vulnerable Marie? Give her a break.

@awsomepossum210 Ай бұрын

Maybe she should stick to just painting...

@deidradahl2802 Ай бұрын

The minute there is any mention of money, just say NO, ''I am not in a position to do that.''

@janvangorp6918 Ай бұрын

One Nigerian scammer, sold a non exciting airport!

@KushQueen9 Ай бұрын

@@janvangorp6918😂

@muffycrosswire 26 күн бұрын

They didn’t not nearly succeed in getting Elvis house as long as Priscilla has something to say about it.

@NaturalBornRider Ай бұрын

Real men never, ever, ask for money. Period.

@waldemarsikorski4759 Ай бұрын

No such thing as a "real man".

@Inquisitor2024 Ай бұрын

@@waldemarsikorski4759😂sadly ......I'm almost in agreement

@naturalbeauty4734 4 күн бұрын

@@waldemarsikorski4759Agree 💯👍

@tinydream 29 күн бұрын

She needs to understand that it’s not one person working alone. It’s a network of people. That’s why someone is always available to talk pretty much 24/7. She’s a client in their scam business, essentially.

@user-kp8ws7ns3j Ай бұрын

I Admire this Woman for her Courage to come through for so many other Victims....I was a Victim to from 2017 till 2019 I've lost thousands and thousands of money's.....Now I know better.😠😠😠😠🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

@johanheurlin3594 Ай бұрын

As a man who has used dating apps, you quickly get used to filter out scammers within the first seconds of talking to someone. 50-75% of accounts shown to men in dating apps are scammers of various kinds. Fairly easy to spot/block, but I can see how people fall for it

@A1011-xs8vv Ай бұрын

It’s easy to not fall for it. NEVER SPEAK ABOUT MONEY, INVESTMENT or CRYPTO. Tell the person, you won’t do anything serious without meeting.

@Sashazur Ай бұрын

@@A1011-xs8vvBut they know who is vulnerable and will sometimes communicate online for weeks or even months before money comes up, and by then people are much more likely to cooperate because they think they’re in a relationship.

@lolabelle4959 Ай бұрын

Most dating websites have warnings about romance scams + ppl STILL get sucked in!!

@michaeljcross87 Ай бұрын

What an amazing and strong woman and a great story about faith, love, pain, and suffering. She went through a lot. She knew she made big mistakes and was humble enough to realize it and come out in public about it. That takes guts and humility. And then she had the strength to bring justice to the man who harmed her and harmed so many others.

@Frivals Ай бұрын

😂😂 she taught that a beautiful man would really want her 😂😂🤦‍♂️ and she rejected the good men of her same value. She demanded that she deserve way better than what she is worth and that's what happens 😂 that's what happens when you inflate your ego and think you are the last 3 holes on the world. Zero empathy for her

@deidradahl2802 Ай бұрын

Sorry for her, also she has indirectly helped others to not make that same mistake, but in the end, no justice came from it.

@patriciahowes7130 Ай бұрын

@@FrivalsThat is a very hurtful and degrading comment. There is no reason to be so hurtful.

@Frivals Ай бұрын

@@patriciahowes7130 truth can be hurtful if you live on illusions

@MECHAUTOMANSPARES Ай бұрын

@@patriciahowes7130 But it's true.

@hulklikesnutella7236 Ай бұрын

Even the lawyer is scaming her :))))

@richleon1474 Ай бұрын

Ain't it the truth.

@acrylbuddha5326 Ай бұрын

Sad but true

@vuvufuzzy2594 22 күн бұрын

Exactly, he, the judge are all in it.

@dust_za 20 күн бұрын

😂😂😂😂

@GruenerGummistiefel 17 күн бұрын

Hahahahaha yes all it's the most traditional African sports .

@mariasanjurjo1427 29 күн бұрын

I was almost scammed by a person from that city thank god I never sent him any money 💵 he was pretending to be a celebrity, Keanu Reeves at the end I was very suspicious of him and blocked him and reported him to the FBI which I filed a complaint in which they never responded back to me so this lady is so brave to do what she did congratulations to her and thanks for sharing

@thisperson5294 13 күн бұрын

Btw Keanu Reeves is not on any social media.

@joebadagon8333 Күн бұрын

@@thisperson5294you’re very mad ! You never sent any money and u want FBI to do what? Waste of resources 😤

@kshin625 Ай бұрын

Why would you send money to a person whom you've never met in real life

@mikrobyo1790 Ай бұрын

its easy to say these people are dum, but they are just lonely and that clouds their judgements. It happens a lot more than you think.

@mrnarason Ай бұрын

I've done it before, people are master liars. Or they change their minds.

@dominamortis1111 Ай бұрын

because they build a rapport over months of time. If you are new to online dating you didn't get the hard lessons about video chatting and having a phone conversation before doing anything. Sometimes the assholes are the man in the picture and make you think they actually care about you. It's a long con. And old lonely women are the biggest suckers.

@nickchkheidze9189 Ай бұрын

Social media is like a drug. She was like a drug addict and when he stopped texting her, she wanted that drug back and sent money.

@Frivals Ай бұрын

@jamieusaa Ай бұрын

Crazy. You don’t give money to someone online. Period.

@gamuiceyt01 Ай бұрын

Some of these victims need to take accountability for their role in being scammed. I can’t believe Marie kept sending money to her scammer when she already knew she was being scammed. She is incredibly naive in thinking she will get her money back

@tammychapman3150 Ай бұрын

Exactly. Where is common sense? When I was online dating I came across no less than 5 scammers and I spotted the problem within a couple of days. If any had ever asked for money I would have been furious and told them to get lost. Coddling these victims and telling them they have no blame is just wrong.

@passwordsuggestion5336 24 күн бұрын

Hope dies last. Believe me. And if you can't imagine this happening to you, be glad.

@overseasuser Ай бұрын

Marie is a strong woman. It is good that she was with DW journalists in Nigeria.

@dennykeaton9701 Ай бұрын

It is interesting to see that the scammer is using a voice changing machine that gives him an American accent.

@awesomeirlable Ай бұрын

There was a subtitle in the documentary stating that his voice was disguised in production to protect his identity

@dennykeaton9701 Ай бұрын

@@awesomeirlable Ahh ok. 👍

@evazylla Ай бұрын

Why would you give money to someone you have never met?

@GloryDaze73 Ай бұрын

It's complicated... When you're inlove then you do weird things.

@planestrainsdogsncars4336 Ай бұрын

@@GloryDaze73 What planet are you from? You cant be in love with someone who you have never met.

@naturalbeauty4734 4 күн бұрын

Not my money!!! 😡🪓🔪

@KeliK1 Ай бұрын

What an awesome documentary! Marie is very brave and I feel for her!!! I also appreciate that the scammers have remorse and I hope Marie will get her money and her dignity back.

@solofoodie4298 Ай бұрын

I don’t think the scammers truly have remorse. He just pretended he has.

@scottgodkins2017 Ай бұрын

The remorse is another way to manipulate. You fell for it.

@jaida9254 Ай бұрын

"I want my dignity back..' such poignant words from this courageous woman. Shame on those cruel scammers around the world who scam innocent people in this way. The tide is turning, victims must fight back!

@muhammadakram4303 Ай бұрын

My advice is don't start distant relationships.

@user-dn9mx3ji9b 13 күн бұрын

"Nigerians" are everywhere. They come in different colours and shapes. Women or men. Be cautious about starting any relationship. Either distant or close

@sergiyrospysdiyenko6224 Ай бұрын

Marie is a good person. Unfortunately not everyone appreciates it. Be careful in the future! All the best!

@lindajennings8079 Ай бұрын

As soon as they ask for money, anyone with a brain should know!!!

@africaine4889 Ай бұрын

She says the man she thought she was talking to had money. WHy send money?

@T1kr3b3u Ай бұрын

@@africaine4889 The bulb upstairs isn't very bright on that one. It's like the lottery scam, you won 1,000,000 but to collect you need to transfer over 10,000 first :p dunno, how about you send me 900k and you keep 100k as a tip lol...

@slightlycrafty Ай бұрын

There are vulnerable people out there your statement shows no empathy.... Just because you think it wouldn't happen to you it could given the right scammer and circumstances.

@annehersey9895 Ай бұрын

I don’t even loan money to family so I’m sure not going to give it to a stranger who pops up on my Social Media from out of the blue!

@lindajennings8079 Ай бұрын

@@slightlycrafty No it would not as I have been vulnerable,but never would I give away my hard earned money,and I do have empathy,but not for fools.

@scottgodkins2017 Ай бұрын

What kind of court does that? Just crazy. Kudos to her for trying to prosecute.

@phuongtran3364 Ай бұрын

Marie, you're a lovely woman who is extremely brave and strong minded. I really admired you and all of the detective work that you have done ❤

@Yash-jk9qi Ай бұрын

Thank you for bringing awareness to such issues. Really Grateful to you.

@DWDocumentary Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. :)

@katherinea.williams3044 Ай бұрын

⁠@@DWDocumentaryBrava! I appreciate your not shaming the victim and presenting this story impartially; unlike another channel I’ve seen, ‘Scamfish’, which deals with the same subject. Yet another reason I very much enjoy media from different countries with no particular agenda behind it. Danke! Love & Light from Miami Shores🦚 Stay safe mates🌎✌🏼

@Tatjana.B Ай бұрын

Marie...you're good and brave woman. I wish you to find peace and good life.

@adanam6377 Ай бұрын

Poor lady! She thinks she’ll get her money 💰 back. Sad story.

@user-dn9mx3ji9b 13 күн бұрын

No, DW think they will get their money back

@Sunshinespeck Ай бұрын

I think by now everyone knows about these scams. It’s a good thing she’s seeking justice because most of the time these scammers go unpunished.

@CalvinK-the_old_fogey Ай бұрын

In my country, the authorities are always advising the public but still there are many victims. Scammers are also evolving their tactics.

@Catmom-gl5nt Ай бұрын

@CalvinK-the_old_fogey First, I love your avatar! Second, I agree with you completely about there being victims no matter how many official warnings the government puts out. In America, banks will even freeze transactions and accounts of fraud is suspected and the victim will work around the block to send money anyway. One woman was blocked by multiple Western Union outlets, as well as several banks due to suspected fraud and she ended up sending money to money mules hidden in resealed cereal boxes! How do you protect someone like that?

@CalvinK-the_old_fogey Ай бұрын

@@Catmom-gl5nt cybersecurity experts always say the weakest link is the end users. Just like scams, the victims are themselves the most culpable. The should be no end to awareness efforts to educate ourselves. Authorities have put in efforts but we are the weakest links. Example, some people I know like to say “don’t answer an unknown caller” or “don’t do online banking”. Such advices are counterproductive and useless. Instead we should continuously educate ourselves and loved ones, learn how to spot scams, how the scam works and to have a healthy dose of scepticism.

@IloveCamels335 Ай бұрын

Let's be realistic also. Even though she takes this man to court she will never see her money again. And even if this specific guy would get punished there are millions others that will fill his place. The only way is to smarten up build up your confidence and your self worth so you will never be in this vulnerable position where you fall prey to such scams.

@CalvinK-the_old_fogey Ай бұрын

Spreading awareness and understanding of how scams work are the key because the end-users are the weakest link. Have a healthy dose of scepticism. Don’t give advices like “don’t pick up unknown callers” or “don’t go online” or “don’t use online banking” because they are impractical.

@gloriousgearhead5367 Ай бұрын

Why didn’t she even FaceTime him? That would have busted him instantly.

@tsienna2050 Ай бұрын

Seems like there is country level involvement. Judges so nonchalant about cancelling a day of court appointments that affect people’s lives....crime is an industry in Nigeria.

@ShukriH23 Ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂they’re wicked

@citygirlingraham Ай бұрын

It’s true, there is call centers in Nigeria, it’s a business.

@bengtina 3 күн бұрын

Its the most corrupted country in the world

@aimademedothis Ай бұрын

"Hello beautiful!" "Okay dear." "Have you eaten today?" "Hello my Queen!" "I want to travel the world with you my love." "You know me. I would never lie to you dear. Send me money!"

@lovepeace2077 Ай бұрын

lol

@user-pl9qj4ew7h Ай бұрын

It is a red flag when a guy U met on line is asking for money.

@SarahAndrews24 Ай бұрын

If you are a middle aged, over weight lonely lady, instead of looking for romance , and sending all that money to a total stranger, invest it in yourself, join a gym, lose weight, eat healthy, go on vacations , there is so much fun you can have as a single woman. Very sad story.😢

@A1011-xs8vv Ай бұрын

True. Their desperation for a man will ruin their le even more. It will make them older (from stress) and broke.

@Lostrislostris00 Ай бұрын

so true....

@Frivals Ай бұрын

@ashleyw.6702 Ай бұрын

Sadly, many men also fall for this type of scam as well.

@SerendipityTravels Ай бұрын

And fix that wig…

@meripederson8379 Ай бұрын

Marie was very brave. If only more would speak out

@evaburnz Ай бұрын

Absolutely. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Marie, and I hope her story can help to inspire others who have been victimized, and also to prevent others from being victimized.

@isaymymind1727 Ай бұрын

Only a few are able to showcase their feather brains in public...

@Frivals Ай бұрын

@mirosgodec5004 Ай бұрын

Marie îs a brave woman. She had the guts to speak out and thus protecting other women from such experiences.

@mirosgodec5004 Ай бұрын

@@Frivals It seems that the guy was too good at what he was doing: an expert in manipulating aching souls

@christinecatt8039 Ай бұрын

Why do you say her coming forward is in essence 'protecting ' women. ?? All her financial woes she brought on herself..she clearly is her worst enemy.. Paying for the fake love and attention is in a way like prostitution...she only has herself to blame...she gave him money voluntarily..no law was broken...

@arijones9564 Ай бұрын

Women like this need to find productive things to do, such as helping others, caring for feral cats, and learning a musical instrument. Living a life of faith would help also.

@kerrikolby6124 Ай бұрын

You are so right. People are so desperate for love and attention. They need to look outside of themselves and look to help others.

@LittleKitty22 Ай бұрын

Start with yourselves then, ladies - no more boyfriends, divorce your husbands, it's a life of knitting and church from now on! See how you'll feel after a few years...

@slv6470 26 күн бұрын

@@LittleKitty22fr 😂 the lady did nothing wrong. We all want love not sitting at church all day

@LittleKitty22 26 күн бұрын

@@slv6470 That's exactly what I pointed out. The OP of this thread is saying women of a certain age should do other things than find love, such as knitting, feeding cats and going to church. I hope she and the others who agree with that, are living by example... something tells me they are all unhappily married with a husband that's playing away... meanwhile, normal human beings do want love in their lives. One can still feed cats... (I love cats!) and scammers don't just appear online. There's more scammers about "in real life" than online.

@RenataBastia Ай бұрын

This scammers don't feel remorse at all. I hope Marie gets well and her money back. Friends everywhere be careful. Internet sometimes can be a dark place.

@HbhihibUsbyou 10 күн бұрын

Agreed with i

@rainbowdreams4718 Ай бұрын

Soon as I hear all the gushing compliments and professions of falling in love and wanting to ‘spend the rest of my life with you’, I’m out. Gives me the creeps!

@Ann-sj4pt 26 күн бұрын

She’s an intelligent,kind,attractive woman.Hope she’s happy now ❤

@christiaancoetzee2964 Ай бұрын

Never loan anybody money. It's probably one of the biggest causes of animosity and disappointment.

@zacksmith5963 Ай бұрын

@@christiaancoetzee2964 your comment is on a chinese phone lol

@christiaancoetzee2964 Ай бұрын

Dear Zack it appears that you got scammed into buying fake Chinese spectacles as my comment says reduce consumption of Chinese products which at most could potentially lead to a 25% reduction in demand thus a reduction of the abuse of prisoners forced into slave labour. Wearing cheap Chinese specs can be detrimental to your eye sight.

@jakebe4915 Ай бұрын

These demons seek out kind people like Maria. I wish her well.. stay single. Just enjoy life yourself

@RenetTimemaster Ай бұрын

Always Nigeria’s. Never send money to anyone. I got scammed on an apartment and I was devastated! Never again!

@sis.555 Ай бұрын

I support to Marie. She done a good job fight against a lier.

@hugomedeiros615 Ай бұрын

Corruption and religious cheaters are destroying Nigeria and the entire continent

@Wendy-sb6en Ай бұрын

I wish you guys hadn’t blurred his face. These people should be named and shamed

@isay207 9 күн бұрын

Its probably a stolen photo

@Wendy-sb6en 9 күн бұрын

@@isay207 I meant, the scammer’s face. He did all that shamelessly so he shouldn’t be ashamed of being shown publicly

@Bradybrad2524 Ай бұрын

Marie, you are so brave to have done this. I hope you heal from the pain and know that your experience will help people make smart decisions. Hugs from Spain. ❤

@AA-kj4ic Ай бұрын

can't understand how can anyone possibly fall into this simple scam.

@9jalicious Ай бұрын

I'm Happy You got the chance to look him in the eyes & speak to him face to face😊

@anaselbe5063 Ай бұрын

She was a genius to track him, and so stupid to know that it's a scam

@michaelsteven8892 Ай бұрын

A Lesson !Through self love,you will be able to evaluate yourself & greed & deception will not come your way ! Glad that Marie is relieved & gets justice ! ❤

@henkdevries251 Ай бұрын

We need more Marie(s). So determined.

@deidradahl2802 Ай бұрын

So gullible

@user-dn9mx3ji9b 13 күн бұрын

"We need more Marie(s)" said a Nigerian while laughing all his way to the bank ...

@alexafornea Ай бұрын

Often times these scammers say they are from a certain country but they actually call from a completely different country, they change voices,fake pictures, fake accounts.If you do the money transactions by yourself, then police and other officials don't really want to consider this a crime and don't want to waste their time on this unfortunately. 😢😢😢

@tandraarisandi6680 Ай бұрын

Wow, she go to Nigeria to sue a scammer?

@bevturner2258 Ай бұрын

She has more money than sense!

@asd_911 Ай бұрын

@@bevturner2258 You don't understand, that is why it makes no sense to you. I could see how relieved she was when she met the guy and when she gave her statement in court. People who are depressed need to let it out, money is not always the go-to.

@MichaelHeery 23 күн бұрын

LIBERIA has scammers GHANA UGANDA AND KENYA.

@user-xs8vr5yr4z Ай бұрын

If a man would ask from me even 5 penny, I would leave him, because it is a red flag sign. Neither man nor a woman should ask their date a money, unless if you want to give it to your date as a "charity"

@Nimitz-Lazojla Ай бұрын

She wants someone else to clean up her mess🤦‍♀️, that's not how it works. 😂

@alikikiza Ай бұрын

I don't believe in online dating because I'm old school and prefer to meet men the good old fashioned way....drunk in bars while making my poor choices in person. 😂

@Avantime 8 күн бұрын

Then you're doing it wrong. You can do online dating as long as your messages are only for the purpose of setting up dates. I don't do phone or text chats apart from mere pleasantries, if you want to have a chat, come over and talk in person.

@Itgyrl909 Ай бұрын

When “alarm bells” go off that’s good ol intuition telling you to walk away! Walk away 1st before they PRETEND like they are & make you feel like you did something wrong.

@ArtsofWellness-o1A Ай бұрын

May she obtain justice. May she be safe and well. Ladies, always stay close to your friends and report matters to your contacts within the relevant communities and the country where this happens, Dont ever entertain a man whom you refused. May the laws protect us from misogny, harassment and stalkers by men we do not know, whom we reject, and may the police assist us once we report them. Good luck❤️🇩🇪🙏

@wuyijie9490 Ай бұрын

One of my female friends was lied and lost 80000$,another one lost 800000$!They all needed lovers and believed in frauds online! I couldn’t stop and help them at those time cause they didn’t listen to me!They chose to listen to those frauds 😢

@user-dn9mx3ji9b 13 күн бұрын

Your poor friends made the money they lost very easily. The old saying: Easy come, easy go ...

@wuyijie9490 13 күн бұрын

@@user-dn9mx3ji9b No,both of them are hard workers!Very thrifty and raised kids alone!

@burly636 Ай бұрын

Why would anybody send money to someone they never met? I don’t know that’s just common sense. But these people are desperate, I guess. Yes she is to blame for part of it. Don’t take responsibility for yourself , don’t do it. That’s the problem. Nobody takes responsibility.

@danielaiworo3900 Ай бұрын

@burly636 sadly these scammers have no mercy that they will shamelessly deceive the victim and trust me this happened to me before. This is someone that i know in Nigeria and he literally scammed me even though he kept claiming that he will pay me back my money and i was very angry afterwards. There are people out there that don't have any mercy. I wish Nigeria can just solve the issue of so many scammers in the country.

@shadaeChevelle4737 Ай бұрын

If your older than a certain age just stay off the internet because your vulnerable 💔🙃 These scammers are SLICK af.. They send texts to your phone now!

@LittleKitty22 Ай бұрын

You first. As soon as you hit 30 - no more internet or smartphone for you!

@klaratrocha2847 Ай бұрын

Und ja, vielen Dank für Ihre Courage, sich im Film zu zeigen, um andere zu warnen.

@EarlGreyLattex Ай бұрын

As a Nigerian person, I too have almost fallen victim to these scammers three times. Even though they know I am a fellow country person, I have always given them a piece of my mind when they've tried to approach me. It is infuriating. They should ALL be punished to the full extent of the law and it is a particularly horrific crime to take advantage of vulnerable people in this way. Unfortunately, though these scammers come from all over the globe not just Nigeria. Either way, those who choose this way of life are the lowest of the low. Also the whole juju priest thing... as an agnostic, I get so tired of these borderline faith scammers con people through their beliefs.