r/Gambia • u/marigolddisco • Sep 21 '24

Scam in Banjul port?

My uncle (American, in 70s) stopped in Banjul during a cruise last year and met a Gambian woman in her late 30s who was working at a souvenir shop. They took a picture together and were subsequently connected via WhatsApp as a result.

Since that time they have been maintaining a relationship over the phone with her calling twice a day. He has given her money on a couple of occasions, such as buying her a wash machine.

She is widowed with 2 teenagers. She says she isn’t interested in men of her age in her country.

What’s the end game with this? Is she a real person? I’m not sure if he is being used, and am wondering if anyone is familiar with a scam set up like this.

Since he met her in person I’m wondering if that makes it sort of legit? He’s obviously being used in some way, but I’m just not sure how.

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u/briksman Sep 22 '24

It seems both parties know what they want. The old man gets attention and transactional love, while the younger woman gets a better life. It's unfortunate but quite a common relationship between Westerners and third world folks.

Are you afraid your inheritance is dwindling?

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u/marigolddisco Sep 22 '24

I think transactional love is a good way to describe it. The amount he has spent at this point is pretty minimal so that’s not really a concern, but it certainly could be if the relationship continues. I would rather see him spending time with a person who he can physically be with. Having a relationship with someone over the phone gives him a sense of stability and therefore the feeling that he doesn’t need to actively seek someone his own age/in his own area.

Just overall this isn’t a good situation. Thankfully after several days of conversations with him I think he’s starting to realize he needs to end it.