Nollywood actress Sotayo Gaga has opened up about a disturbing experience involving individuals who allegedly impersonated some of her colleagues online in an attempt to scam her emotionally and financially.
According to the actress, unknown individuals repeatedly entered her direct messages, pretending to be members of her professional circle and requesting urgent financial assistance.
She explained that the messages appeared convincing and emotionally charged, with different stories involving school fees, accommodation problems, and personal hardship.
Believing the requests were genuine, Sotayo said she eventually sent money out of compassion.
“There was a time this person came and said she wanted to pay her children school fees, another person came again and said she had accommodation problem,” she said.
“I had send part of my business money to her because I pity their situation.”
However, the actress later discovered that the people she believed she was helping were never actually the ones communicating with her.
According to her, she only realized the deception after meeting the real colleagues in person and discussing the situations with them.
“I never knew they were lying to me, they weren’t my colleagues, not until I saw these people and I asked how they are doing,” she explained.
“They later explained to me they have never came into my DM to ask for money.”
The revelation left the actress visibly upset as she expressed frustration over the emotional manipulation and dishonesty involved in the alleged scam.
She further lamented the growing trend of impersonation scams targeting celebrities and public figures on social media platforms.
Sotayo’s experience has since sparked wider conversations online about online impersonation fraud and the emotional tactics scammers use to exploit kindness and trust.
Many social media users sympathized with the actress, noting that impersonation scams have become increasingly common across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Others advised celebrities and influencers to verify identities by phone or through trusted channels before responding to urgent financial requests online.
The incident also highlights the growing challenges public figures face from fake accounts and misuse of digital identity, especially within the entertainment industry, where personal relationships and public goodwill can be easily exploited.
Sotayo Gafa remains one of Nollywood’s recognized actresses, known for her work in Yoruba and English-language productions and for her active social media presence.
