Nigerian online activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), has weighed in on the shocking case of 53-year-old French woman Anne, who was scammed out of her life savings—an astonishing $850,000 (over ₦1.5 billion).
The elaborate fraud, carried out by online scammers posing as Hollywood star Brad Pitt, has drawn global attention and widespread outrage over its audacity and cruelty.
Anne, who believed she was in a romantic relationship with the 61-year-old actor, revealed how the fraudsters preyed on her emotions with a complex web of deception. They allegedly used AI-generated images and fabricated stories, including claims that Brad Pitt needed urgent kidney cancer surgery and that his accounts had been frozen by his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie.
Driven by emotional manipulation, Anne transferred her life savings to what she believed was an account meant to help the ailing actor, only to later uncover the devastating truth.
As investigations progress, her legal team has accused three Nigerians of orchestrating the elaborate scam.
Reacting to the controversy, Verydarkman took to his official Facebook page to express shock over the alleged involvement of Nigerian Yahoo boys in such a heartless act. In a fiery video that quickly went viral, he unleashed a scathing critique of the perpetrators and the broader Yahoo culture.
Beyond condemning their actions, VDM also questioned the mindset that drives many fraudsters to recklessly squander their illicit wealth.
Verydarkman vividly illustrated how money acquired through deceit is often squandered on frivolities—lavish lifestyles, exotic cars, and fleeting pleasures—without any regard for the future or the harm inflicted on victims.
In a sharp yet thought-provoking turn, he shifted the conversation to a more constructive perspective, offering an unsolicited financial masterclass to the fraudsters. He urged them to rethink their approach, arguing that even if their actions were illegal, they could at least redirect the stolen funds toward meaningful projects that benefit their communities.
Speaking passionately, VDM highlighted how such vast sums could be invested in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship—ways to uplift their states and contribute to Nigeria’s development.