18/05/2026
I thought I had found love on Social Media, until......
Please read this. It could save someone you know.
I was just 20 when a handsome man sent me a friend request on Instagram. He claimed he lived in Canada and worked with an international company. He was charming, caring, and always knew the right things to say. We spoke every single day. Slowly, I began to trust him.
After a few weeks, our chats became more personal. He constantly complimented me and made me feel loved and safe. One night during a video call, he convinced me to do something intimate on camera. I hesitated at first, but he assured me nobody else would ever see it.
I believed him.
That decision almost ruined my life.
The next morning, I woke up to several threatening messages. The man I thought I knew was actually part of an online blackmail syndicate. They had secretly recorded the video and were demanding ₦700,000 from me.
They threatened to send the video to my parents, friends, colleagues, and everyone on my social media accounts if I refused to pay.
I became terrified.
Out of fear and shame, I almost deleted all our chats and blocked the account immediately. But thankfully, a friend advised me not to. She told me to save screenshots of every conversation, every threat, payment details, usernames, phone numbers, and messages because they could become important evidence.
That advice saved me.
The threats continued daily. I stopped sleeping. I avoided people. I cried almost every night and felt completely trapped. At some point, I even blamed myself for trusting a stranger online.
Then one evening, I came across a post by NAPTIP warning Nigerians about sexortion and online blackmail.
For the first time, I realized I was not alone.
I sent them a message and attached the screenshots I had saved.
They responded quickly, guided me on what to do, and helped me report the case properly. Today, I am safe, recovering, and sharing my story so others do not fall victim too.
Please hear me:
Never share intimate photos or videos with strangers online.
If anyone blackmails you online, do not panic and do not delete the chats.
Save screenshots, usernames, phone numbers, payment receipts, and every piece of evidence.
Not everyone who shows you love online is real.
And if you become a victim, speak up. Don’t suffer in silence.
