Mary, a 42-year-old widow from Lagos, believed she had found love again. After losing her husband in a tragic car accident, she focused all her energy on raising her two sons. Life was hard, but she remained hopeful. One evening, she received a Facebook friend request from a man named “David Peterson,” a U.S. Army officer stationed in Afghanistan.

• David’s profile was filled with photos in uniform and messages about honor and sacrifice.
• He messaged Mary politely, praising her smile and strength.
• Over time, their chats grew longer and more emotional.

The Bond

David said all the right things. He called her beautiful, admired her strength, and promised her a future. He said he was planning to retire soon and wanted to settle down with someone kind, like her.

• They exchanged good morning messages daily.
• He asked about her children and shared stories from his “deployment.”
• Mary found herself smiling more, hopeful again.

The First Ask

After three months of constant communication, David claimed he had saved a significant amount of money and wanted to send it to her for safekeeping. He said he didn’t trust the military system and needed someone reliable.

• He said the package would be delivered by a diplomatic courier.
• All she had to do was pay a $350 “processing fee.”
• Then came an issue with customs. More fees. More delays.

In total, Mary sent over $3,000 from her savings and borrowed more from friends. The package never arrived.

The Silence

One day, David vanished. No reply. His Facebook profile disappeared.

• Mary was heartbroken, humiliated.
• Her children noticed the change in her mood.
• She felt ashamed for believing in love again.

The Recovery

Eventually, a friend connected her with the Susan Akerele Foundation. There, she found:

• A safe space to speak her truth.
• Women who had gone through the same pain.
• Tools to recognize online manipulation.

Through therapy, Mary began healing. She shared her story anonymously on the Foundation’s blog and got messages from other women who had experienced similar scams.

Key Lessons from Mary

• Real soldiers don’t need your money.
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
• Scammers prey on vulnerability, not foolishness.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

Mary now volunteers with the Foundation. She speaks at churches and women’s groups about the dangers of romance scams. She also helps run a support group for victims.

Her sons see a different mother today — one who turned a deep wound into a mission of healing and education.

“I thought I was alone. I thought I was stupid. But now I know I was simply human, and I will never let shame silence me again.”