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The Express Gazette
Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Nigerian Love Scam Leads to Horrifying Selfies, Daughter's Distress

A disabled woman fell victim to an elaborate Nigerian love scam, resulting in emotional distress and a disturbing series of photographs.

US Politics • 3 hours ago
Nigerian Love Scam Leads to Horrifying Selfies, Daughter's Distress

A Nigerian romance scam has ensnared a disabled woman, leading to a distressing situation that has deeply affected her daughter. The victim, who relied on sickness benefits, was contacted by a man named Maxwell, whom she found to be handsome and complimentary.

Believing Maxwell was genuinely interested in her, the woman sent him money when he requested it. Her daughter, Chantelle, tried to warn her mother about the potential scam, but Maxwell reportedly convinced her mother that Chantelle was merely jealous. The situation escalated to a point where the victim was compelled to take a series of unsettling selfies that her daughter fears will have a lasting negative impact.

The scam highlights the persistent threat of online romance fraud, where perpetrators build emotional connections with victims to exploit them financially and, in this case, emotionally. The victim's reliance on benefits indicates a potential vulnerability that scammers often target. The daughter's attempt to intervene and the scammer's manipulation of that relationship underscore the psychological tactics employed in such schemes.

Helen's daughter Chantelle, right, tried to warn her off Maxwell. But he convinced her that Chantelle was jealous of her happiness

The 'horrifying' selfies taken by the victim are a particularly disturbing element of the case, suggesting the scam may have involved further coercion or exploitation beyond financial demands. The daughter's concern about the lasting emotional scar emphasizes the severe psychological toll such scams can inflict on victims and their families.


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