SportyBet to Spiritual Scam: Man Blasts Uncle for Sending ₦300K to TikTok Pastor After Winning ₦350K

In an incident that has ignited both disbelief and outrage across Nigerian social media, a young man has taken to the internet to publicly criticize his uncle for what many are calling a baffling act of financial irresponsibility. The drama began with what could have been a rare stroke of luck in these tough economic times — a ₦350,000 win from SportyBet, one of Nigeria’s most popular sports betting platforms. But what followed turned a moment of joy into a tale of regret, religion, and recklessness.

The young man, using the handle @simplyD3r4, expressed his shock and fury in a now-viral tweet: “Jesus Christ !!!!! Wtf. E no go better for my uncle. This guy won 350k+ from SportyBet and he sent 300k to a random pastor he met on TikTok live to pray for him to have FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH. This guy is literally living from hand to mouth.”

In a country where many scrape by on minimum wage and the rising cost of living tightens its grip daily, stories like these strike a nerve. Betting, for better or worse, has become a coping mechanism — a last hope for many Nigerians battling unemployment, inflation, and a weakened naira. So when someone hits a small jackpot like ₦350K, it's expected to be used wisely, perhaps to settle debts, feed a family, start a small hustle, or even save.

But in this case, that life-changing opportunity was transferred to a so-called "man of God" encountered not in a church or through personal recommendation, but on TikTok Live — the popular video streaming platform known as much for its comedic skits and dance trends as it is for questionable spiritual content. According to @simplyD3r4, his uncle, despite his current financial struggle, wired ₦300,000 — nearly 86% of his winnings — to the unfamiliar pastor in the hope of unlocking a “greater breakthrough.”

The news has sparked an avalanche of reactions from netizens. Many couldn't believe the gullibility on display, especially given the well-documented history of online scams masked as religious offerings. While Nigeria remains one of the most religious countries in the world, with Christianity and Islam deeply rooted in its culture, a growing number of citizens are expressing concern over the commercialization of faith — particularly on social media, where self-proclaimed prophets and pastors peddle miracles, healing, and wealth in exchange for money.

“This is madness,” tweeted one user. “You literally had the financial breakthrough, and you gave it away to pray for one. Wahala!”

Another wrote, “This is why some people remain poor. God gave you a fish and you gave it away hoping for a river.”

The story has also reignited the debate on the exploitation of vulnerable people by fake spiritual leaders online. The TikTok pastor in question has not been named, but several users claimed to have seen similar broadcasts where viewers are urged to “sow seeds” of large amounts to unlock miracles, marriages, or riches. These so-called live deliverance sessions often feature dramatic performances, including people shaking violently, speaking in tongues, or suddenly receiving "prophecies" about hidden enemies and generational curses — all while comments sections are flooded with emojis and virtual donations.

Critics say it's all a show, capitalizing on desperation and economic anxiety. And in this case, it worked — at the expense of a man who could barely feed himself, let alone afford to throw away hundreds of thousands of naira on digital prayers.

As of now, there’s no word on whether the uncle has received any spiritual return on his hefty investment. But according to @simplyD3r4, his living conditions haven’t improved. “This guy is literally living from hand to mouth,” he wrote in disbelief. “How do you explain this kind of foolishness?”

Some have tried to be sympathetic, blaming Nigeria’s harsh realities and the cultural obsession with “breakthrough” for such decisions. For them, it’s not just gullibility, but a symptom of the deeper rot: hopelessness in the face of hardship. When people feel cornered by poverty, and traditional routes to success feel closed off, it's not uncommon for them to turn to the supernatural — especially in societies where wealth is often portrayed as a divine reward.

But others aren’t letting that explanation fly. “There’s a difference between faith and foolishness,” another user posted. “This is just poor financial literacy mixed with blind religious devotion.”

For those who make a living off spiritual manipulation, stories like this are a goldmine. The promise of wealth without work, deliverance without discipline, and success without a strategy is an easy sell in a country where opportunity is scarce. Unfortunately, the victims are almost always the most vulnerable — people like @simplyD3r4’s uncle, who despite his struggles, clings to hope with such desperation that he’s willing to part with his only breakthrough in search of a bigger one.

Meanwhile, SportyBet has not commented on the story, and it's unclear if the uncle was contacted by the platform or received any financial advice post-win. Betting companies generally do not intervene in how winnings are spent, but the incident has fueled calls for more public awareness campaigns on financial education — especially targeting lower-income users.

In the end, this story is not just about one man and his uncle. It’s about a country in crisis, a generation clinging to faith in a digital world, and a growing need to question where — and to whom — we place our trust. As for @simplyD3r4, his tweet may have started out as a rant, but it’s become a cautionary tale: one that’s sparking a national conversation on belief, betting, and the blind spots in between.