A Nigerian woman has recounted her harrowing escape from a two-month captivity in India, where a man she met on Tinder imprisoned her in an isolated house after luring her with promises of marriage. The ordeal began with a six-month online romance that ended in a nightmare of sealed rooms, beatings, and psychological terror.
How the Tinder Romance Began
The woman, who shared her story on TikTok under the handle @multiple.mama001, said she turned to Tinder after a period of loneliness, hoping to find genuine love. She matched with an Indian man who showered her with daily calls, affectionate messages, and consistent talk of a future together. Over six months, he built her trust, making her feel chosen and special.
According to her account, the man's demeanor shifted when he asked her to bring between 300,000 and 600,000 naira as proof of commitment, claiming he needed assurance before investing in her travel. She scraped together the funds, completed her travel documents, and flew to India, believing she was starting a new life.
The Nightmare in India
From the moment he picked her up at the airport, the warmth vanished. He drove her to an isolated house in an unknown location, where she was locked in a room with sealed windows and a padlocked door. She was told she could not go outside, and her only regular human contact was a security guard who delivered her meals.
She later discovered the man was already married. He would sometimes arrive with other men who spoke Hindi and stared at her, laughing quietly. He beat her, hurled abuse, and claimed she was held as 'compensation' for losses he said Nigerian fraudsters had caused him. She described the two months as feeling like two years, with each night spent wondering if she would survive.
The Escape
Her escape came when the security guard left the door slightly open one day. They exchanged a silent look, and she waited for the house to fall quiet before pushing the door open and running barefoot, with no shoes or bag. She eventually found a road and reached safety.
In her emotional retelling, she said: 'I thought I had finally found love. After so many disappointments, I went on Tinder not because I was foolish, but because I was tired of being alone. That was where I met him — an Indian man who spoke so gently, so patiently.' She added: 'That man did not love me. He hunted me. He lured me with marriage and trapped me like an animal.'
Broader Implications and Warning
This incident highlights the risks of online romance scams, which have become a growing concern globally. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams led to reported losses of over $1.3 billion in 2022, with many victims lured across borders under false pretenses. Nigerian authorities have repeatedly warned citizens about such schemes, urging them to verify identities and avoid sending money to online acquaintances.
The woman's story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of trusting strangers met online, especially when they request money or travel to unfamiliar locations. She now hopes her experience will caution others, saying: 'If that door had not been left open that day, I don’t know if I would be alive to tell this story.'
