A 33-year-old married woman from New York, USA, has been left stranded in Karachi after falling victim to an online love scam orchestrated by a 19-year-old boy from Karachi.
The woman, identified as Onijah Andrew Robinson, is a mother of two and had divorced her husband to pursue what she believed was true love.
The story began when the young man Nidal Ahmed Memon, a resident of Garden West, Karachi struck up an online relationship with a married woman from the United States. The relationship quickly escalated, and the two exchanged heartfelt messages, building a connection that seemed to transcend the boundaries of continents.
As things grew more serious, the 19-year-old made a bold promise to the woman: once she arrived in Pakistan, they would get married.
The woman, captivated by the idea of a new life with the young man, made the life-altering decision to travel to Karachi. She booked her ticket, left her husband, and abandoned her two children to pursue the love she had been promised.
The teenager made sure everything was arranged on his end, inviting her to his hometown and assuring her that their love would come to fruition once she arrived.
However, upon her arrival in Karachi, things took a shocking and unexpected turn. She applied for a Pakistani visa on October 5, 2024, and was granted a one-month tourist visa on October 9.
Faced with his family’s disapproval, the young man reportedly abandoned Robinson, leaving her alone in an unfamiliar city. Initially, she managed to survive on the money she had brought with her but eventually found herself with no means to sustain herself. With nowhere else to go, Robinson took refuge at Karachi Airport, where she had been staying for the past seven days.
The ordeal caught the attention of Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who intervened to assist the stranded woman. The governor ensured that Robinson’s visa, which was issued on Monday, remains valid until February 11. Additionally, he arranged for her return ticket to the United States.
This incident highlights the risks of online relationships, particularly when significant cultural and personal differences are involved. Robinson’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting virtual connections without thorough vetting and consideration.