Marriage for Citizenship: A Belarusian Woman's Story of Deception and Heartbreak

A Belarusian woman's story highlights the vulnerability of older people to exploitation. A 55-year-old woman from Belarus recently married a 25-year-old man. The marriage, however, was short-lived and turned into a case of alleged exploitation. Three months after the wedding, the man disappeared without a trace. The woman's daughter, the narrator of this story, shared the details on social media. Initially, the mother was devastated and blamed herself. "Mom, are you serious? He's almost half your age!" the daughter exclaimed. But time healed her wounds, and the man unexpectedly reappeared, pleading for forgiveness and money, claiming to be in trouble. The daughter says, "He called in the middle of the night, begging for money. My mother, at first, didn't believe him, but then she sent him money." A week later, he arrived with flowers and apologies, but it was short-lived. Two months later, he vanished again. Six months later, another woman called the mother, identifying herself as the man's new fiancée. The story ends with the mother filing for divorce, still believing in her ex-husband's promises. This case serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for vigilance and awareness of potential exploitation, especially among older adults.