NewStats: 3,264,061 , 8,182,469 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 01:45 PM z6d1j

Controversial social media activist Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan has itted to in fabricating the story of ₦180 million allegedly missing from his NGO’s .

According to him, the false story was an experiment to highlight how Nigerians readily believe and spread unverified information on social media.

In a video posted on his Instagram , VeryDarkMan addressed the backlash and revealed the rationale behind the stunt.

“Alright, since the ₦180 million naira missing from the NGO , I have been seeing a lot of comments that I never expected,” he said. “But I really want to thank God because everything I have done on this social media, I have done it because this is who I am. I did not do it to seek public validation.”

The activist, known for using his platform to advocate for victims of scams and raise awareness about fraud, expressed frustration over the insults he received. He explained how people vilified him without critical thought.


“I saw all those comments, and I asked myself, what is my offence? All I do on social media is to advocate, help people collect back their money, and create awareness so people won’t be scammed. Most times, I even put my money into these efforts, sometimes borrowing, because I want Nigeria to be a place where people have a voice,” he stated.

“Some people were even insulting my mother, calling her a thief,” he added.


VeryDarkMan condemned how quickly social media s jumped to conclusions without analysing the situation.

He declared, “You know 80% of the people that use social media are stupid, right? This whole thing that happened is a clear opportunity to show you. I deliberately did it to show you people that you are stupid.”


He questioned why no one scrutinised the story. “We are in a country where anything said on social media, nobody bothers to check, nobody bothers to investigate. Everybody starts sharing, they start running away with it. They don’t even waste time to listen; they just want to comment.”


Mocking the way the false narrative spread, he continued, “Boom! They just want to comment: ‘₦180 million is missing, VeryDarkMan is a thief.’ Nobody sat down to analyze, ‘Wait, the VeryDarkMan we know—if ₦180 million is missing from his NGO , will he be going to Jos instead of Abuja where the police, EFCC, and cybercrime headquarters are located?’ What is he going to do in Jos?”

The activist went further to criticise the culture of misinformation on social media, comparing his fabricated story to other unverified claims.

“The whole media has been spoilt, has been ruined. That’s why one man from Niger came recently and said the French government gave Tinubu money to open a military base in the North East. Nobody sat down to ask, ‘Did this man present any evidence? Did he show a video or proof of the foundation being laid?’ He just said it, and boom, that’s it!”


Reiterating his point, VeryDarkMan declared, “80% of you on social media are very, very stupid.”

The activist’s revelation sparked widespread debate about his approach. While some ed his message about digital literacy, others have criticised his approach as deceptive and manipulative.

https://leadership.ng/i-faked-missing-n180m-to-experiment-social-media-reaction-verydarkman/

80% of social media s are stupid?

This man is really stupid .. insult even his fans

Anyways .. na deftness the worry the fool from beginning

Die that cappings, your masarati no work, you no follow up wella,ngbofiri

Are you sure?

Maybe the pressure was too much on you,
Nigerians wise you oo

hacked and funds gone
70m have been recovered
Later later na prank

When did you become #Untouchable the prank master

Scamming method no work jare

Very dark scammer

Stupid thief. He only backtracked When he noticed that Nigerians were smarter than he thought and everyone knew he has stolen the money and was trying to cover it up. I blame the people that take that dirty looking street boy seriously.

VDM thinks people have time for long story. So I will just sit down and start investigating how person money take lost. Whats my business if he like let him put the money in his pants and walk the street. People get their life to live you dey talk of social experiments. Mtcheeeew

Celestialsword:



https://leadership.ng/i-faked-missing-n180m-to-experiment-social-media-reaction-verydarkman/

Everything VDM Sid is true, most social media people are just here to read trending news and comment without any investigation.

It’s so bad.

Eteka1:
Stupid thief. He only backtracked When he noticed that Nigerians were smarter than he thought and everyone knew he has stolen the money and was trying to cover it up. I blame the people that take that dirty looking street boy seriously.

VDM is just an average Nigerian hustler. 😆

The dangerous criticism coupled with police and Zenith bank's threats of investigation made him backtrack.

Very foolish experiment. He only succeeded in mes his reputation.

Sounds more like someone trying to cover up after his ulterior plan failed. He probably underestimated the outrage & backlash from SM over the missing ₦180m claim.

Dude has always been a fraud.

People who takes this guy serious should have their brains check

This guy is more or less a nuisance. First of all, you decided to prank people with money that wasn't your own. Why didn't you carry out the prank before they donated money? Then how do you want people to believe anything you say when you can easily come online to say one thing then come out to say something else the next minute?

FearlessYoruba:
Very dark scammer

Indeed

Very stupid talk from VDM. He doesn't know that he can never fully overcome the effects of the scandal true or not

You just lost my respect

Dumb...you ve always been a clout chaser

Nothing concern me but E dey mind

You're a clown even though I like you

Sad some ppl Jez purposely refuse to have sense!

So Jez because 8 point somtin million muumuu voted in d present enslaver, does it now mean dat d rest of d ppl are also complete muumuus like d werey urchintolas on dis fora?
cc hell-anus & co?

Pls wat kind of foolishness is dis guy trying so hard to exhibit?
Trying to establish if d muumuu dem still plenty?

Very dark thief

Ariyayoazeezjnr:


Everything VDM Sid is true, most social media people are just here to read trending news and comment without any investigation.

It’s so bad.

na jobless people like you dey investigate wetin no be their business or wetin no go bring money to your table

Lol

Many of us knew he was lieing na

What a sensitive joke?

Nonsense talk.

You should never toil with your reputation under no circumstances.

He can never be trusted with money again.

VeryDarkMan don't overdo this things. Just maintain your good work man

Tani awon gan?

When you are doing too much, you go soon fall hand... You don't joke with people's trust.

Many News media and obedients are waiting to spread any unconfirmed devilish news without verification!

That's their purpose in life!

But as you don share the lie now who go believe you again? Social media experiment my bum!