A heartbroken Ghanaian poultry farmer has turned to Oyerepa TV’s Afutuo show to cry for help after falling victim to a devastating online romance scam. The man, whose identity was withheld, revealed that he sold plots of land belonging to his wife and added GH¢37,000 of his own money to sponsor a woman he met on Facebook. The catch? He had never met her in person. Believing the relationship was genuine, he transferred the entire amount via Mobile Money, hoping to build a future with his online lover.…....
According to his tearful testimony, the woman used fake photos and a completely false online identity to deceive him. She played the role of a loving partner, extracting both emotional and financial investment from the unsuspecting farmer. He explained that he was so convinced of her sincerity that he ignored red flags, including her repeated excuses to avoid a physical meeting. After receiving the money and other benefits, she allegedly cut off all communication, refusing to answer calls or arrange a face-to-face meeting.
The farmer now finds himself in a nightmare of his own making. Financially, he is devastated—having lost both his savings and his wife’s valuable asset. But the damage does not stop there. His marriage has been thrown into serious crisis, as his wife has reportedly discovered what he did with her land. The betrayal cuts deep: not only did he gamble away their joint property, but he did so for a woman who never existed. The show’s host and panelists listened in disbelief as the man pleaded for help to trace the scammer.
This painful story serves as a stark warning about the dangers of online romance scams in Ghana. Social media can connect people, but it also provides cover for fraudsters who hide behind fake identities. The poultry farmer’s plea for help may bring him sympathy, but it cannot easily return his money, his wife’s land, or her trust. As he now faces both financial ruin and marital collapse, his cautionary tale is clear: never send money to someone you have not met, and never betray a real partner for a virtual illusion.
