Emeka was a 42-year-old widower from Enugu, a hardworking civil engineer and a father of two. Since losing his wife five years ago, he had poured himself into his job and his children. But loneliness crept in. One night, while scrolling through Facebook, he got a friend request from “Sophia Martins,” a Canadian nurse working with Doctors Without Borders.
- Sophia seemed compassionate and warm.
- She often messaged about her work and sent photos from her missions.
- Emeka found comfort in her attention and sincerity.
Promises and Pain
Over months, they developed a close relationship. Sophia said she was relocating to Nigeria to be closer to him. She shared her dreams of starting a health center in his community and wanted his help. Then came the first request — her transfer funds were stuck, and she needed ₦350,000 to release them.
- Emeka sent the money, trusting her story.
- A week later, she needed help again for “emergency clearance fees.”
- He sent more, even borrowing from his cousin.
By the end, Emeka had sent ₦1.4 million.
The Silence
Soon after, Sophia vanished. Her WhatsApp stopped working. Her Facebook profile was deleted. Emeka was crushed, not just financially, but emotionally.
The Turning Point
His colleague noticed the change in him and gently asked if everything was okay. When Emeka opened up, he was encouraged to speak with the Susan Akerele Foundation.
There, he discovered:
- Romance scams often target emotionally vulnerable people.
- Men are victims too, though many stay silent.
- Healing begins when you share your truth.
The Healing Journey
Through the Foundation’s programs, Emeka joined counseling sessions and met others who had been scammed.
- He realized how deeply scammers study and manipulate emotions.
- He learned to forgive himself.
- He joined support groups that helped him rebuild trust in himself.
He also took digital literacy training to better protect himself online and began educating his children about internet safety.
From Victim to Advocate
Today, Emeka volunteers with the Foundation to help break the stigma around male victims of romance scams.
- He speaks at community centers and churches.
- He has helped two other men come forward and seek help.
- He’s writing a short book about his journey.
Words from Emeka
“It wasn’t just the money I lost. It was my pride, my peace, and my trust. But through this pain, I’ve found purpose. I want other men to know — you are not weak for being scammed. You are human.”
Key Lessons from Emeka’s Story
- Scammers don’t care about gender — anyone can be a target.
- Don’t suffer in silence. Speak up and seek help.
- You can transform pain into purpose.
A Life Rewritten
Emeka’s story proves that men, too, face heartbreak in silence — and they too deserve healing. He now stands not just as a father and professional, but as a voice for change. His journey continues, not just to protect himself, but to protect others.
