- About Us – Susan Akerele Foundation
Empowering one another makes the world safer.
The Susan Akerele Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to protecting vulnerable individuals—especially women and travelers—from romance scams, travel fraud, and digital exploitation. We combine education, community outreach, legal support, and advocacy to foster safer global relationships and tourism experiences.
We believe that awareness is power. Our mission is to empower individuals through knowledge, support victims through recovery, and advocate for change in the systems that allow these scams to thrive.
- Educate the Public
- Support Victims
- Advocate for Change
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Our Story
Susan’s Akerele Foundation was established by Susan Akerele, a passionate advocate for safe and ethical tourism, with a mission to protect travelers from scams, cyber fraud, and unethical practices. Drawing from her diverse cultural background—born in Nigeria and educated in South Africa and the United States—Susan combines over a decade of experience in tourism, research, and advocacy to address the growing threat of tourism and romance scams.
She holds degrees in Tourism, Sociology, and Tourism Development, along with two Master’s degrees from Georgia State University in Global Hospitality Management and Entrepreneurship. As Vice President of the Women African Tourism Board in South Africa and a published researcher, Susan has authored influential works, including Exploring Africa: A Guide to Safe and Enriching Travel and Virtual Search for Love. Her initiative, Susan’s Hospitality Initiative, further educates travelers about online scams.
Susan’s work is informed by global tourism challenges and complements broader cybersecurity efforts, promoting responsible travel practices across Africa and beyond. Through education, advocacy, research, and partnerships, Susan’s Akerele Foundation strives to create a safer, more ethical, and empowering travel experience for both travelers and tourism enterprises worldwide.
- Behind every project is a passionate team dedicated to making a difference:
Meet Our
Team members
Susan Akerele
Founder & Director
John Okafor
Legal Advisor, Fraud Prevention
Fola Adeyemi
Community Engagement Lead
Mary Negron
Victim Advocate & Business Liaison
Frequently Asked Questions
A romance scam is a type of fraud where criminals create fake relationships online to exploit victims emotionally and financially. They often use fake profiles and stories to build trust before requesting money or personal information.
Anyone can be a target, but scammers often focus on people looking for love or planning to travel. Women, older adults, and frequent users of dating apps and travel platforms are especially at risk.
We offer emotional support, legal resources, and a peer support network. We also educate the public to prevent scams and advocate for stronger protective laws.
Yes. If you or someone you know has been targeted, you can reach out to us through our contact page. We provide guidance and can help connect you to legal or psychological support.
You can volunteer, donate, or partner with us. We welcome individuals and organizations who share our mission to educate, protect, and support those affected by scams.
- What We Do
Our purpose is rooted in protection, empowerment, and change.
At Susan’s Akerele Foundation, we are dedicated to building a safer and more ethical tourism industry through education, advocacy, and support. We focus on protecting travelers from scams, empowering tourism businesses, and promoting responsible travel.
Our mission has become even more critical in light of current U.S. policies emphasizing cybersecurity, consumer protection, and immigration reform—issues that align closely with our work. These shifts create new opportunities and responsibilities for advocacy groups like ours to bridge the gap between regulation, public awareness, and community support.
- Raising global awareness about romance scams.
- Providing survivors with legal, and financial support.
- Promoting safe travel and ethical relationships.
- Build a global network of educated individuals.
- Collaborate with tech, travel, and dating platforms
- Leading and shaping policies that combat digital fraud.
- Survivor-centered programs rooted in real experiences.
- Strategic partnerships with professionals and advocates across industries.
- Transparent operations and measurable outcomes for lasting change.
Treatment
Helping
Highest
Fund Raised
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$40,456
Total Fundraised
$140,456
Our Hope
At Susan's Akerele Foundation, our hope is to create a world where travel is safe, relationships are genuine, and tourism businesses thrive without the threat of fraud or exploitation. We envision a future where:
✅ Travelers can explore the world with confidence, free from the fear of scams and deception.
✅ Victims of romance and tourism fraud find justice and recovery, empowered by education and support.
✅ Tourism businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, grow sustainably, protected from cyber threats and unethical practices.
✅ Governments and industry leaders collaborate to implement policies that strengthen consumer protection in tourism, as seen with the Trump administration's focus on border security, digital fraud prevention, and improved vetting systems.
✅ Communities affected by travel fraud receive awareness and training, ensuring a more informed and resilient society.
Our foundation is more than a movement—it’s a mission. We believe that with education, advocacy, and collective action, we can eradicate scams, restore trust in tourism, and empower individuals to make safe, informed choices. Together, we can build a future where travel is a joy, not a risk.
- Real stories. Real impact. Trusted by those we’ve helped.
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