Kenyan content creator Sheryl Gabriella has emotionally recounted what she describes as a heartbreaking ordeal after allegedly falling victim to a suspected scam during an international voting competition held in Burkina Faso.
The TikTok personality became visibly emotional during a livestream, struggling to hold back tears as she narrated her experience to thousands of followers. According to Sheryl, she travelled to Ouagadougou after being selected to represent Kenya in the inaugural Battle of Nations competition, where participants were competing for a grand prize of USD 100,000 (approximately KSh 12 million).
However, she claimed the competition quickly took an unexpected turn.
Sheryl alleged that contestants were required to pay around KSh 85,000 every day to remain in the contest. She said the financial demands kept increasing, leaving participants under immense pressure despite the promise of a lucrative cash prize.
Unable to continue meeting the alleged requirements, she said she decided to withdraw from the competition rather than risk losing even more money. During the emotional livestream, Sheryl described the experience as devastating, saying she felt betrayed after travelling abroad with hopes of bringing home the prize.
Videos from the livestream have since circulated widely on social media, with many Kenyans expressing sympathy while others questioned how the competition was organised. Some users urged aspiring influencers and content creators to thoroughly verify international contests before committing their finances or travelling overseas.
At the time of publication, the organisers of the Battle of Nations competition had not publicly responded to the allegations made by Sheryl. Consequently, her claims remain unverified.
Sheryl has built a sizeable following on TikTok through interactive livestreams and online content, with the creator previously stating that the platform provides her with a significant source of income.
Her latest revelation has sparked fresh debate about the risks associated with online competitions and international promotional events, with many calling for greater transparency to protect participants from potential exploitation.