Bulawayo resident Andrew Tigere has become the victim of a distressing identity theft scam that led to him being falsely accused on social media of involvement in a kidnapping scheme in South Africa.
The ordeal started when a TikTok user, @motsow_o, posted a video featuring Tigere’s photos, warning women to avoid dating the man shown. The video, which quickly gained traction, suggested that Tigere was dangerous after she claimed to have matched with him on the dating app Hinge. This sparked a wave of online criticism and suspicion directed at Tigere.
However, the situation took a turn when the TikTok user discovered that Tigere had no connection to the dating accounts and was, in fact, a victim of identity theft. She promptly deleted the original video and issued a public apology, clarifying the misunderstanding and raising awareness about online scams.
Speaking out, Tigere expressed the emotional impact of the false accusations. “It is painful to see your name dragged through the mud for something you did not do,” he said. “I want people to understand how serious identity theft can be.”
Tigere has since filed a formal police report at the Bulawayo Central Police Station. Authorities are investigating the matter and are working to identify the individual responsible for creating the fake profiles used to defame him.
Officials encourage anyone with information related to this case to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, Tigere hopes his experience will help raise awareness about the consequences of online identity theft and protect others from similar harm.
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