Many young football stars around the world have fallen victim to fake football agents who promise them career growth abroad, it has been reported.
Nigerian youngster Moses Yamlak Jerry is the latest victim of such a scam, and his ordeal took a violent turn in Serbia.
Jerry shared a harrowing video on social media, revealing his swollen face and bloodied lips as evidence of a brutal assault by a Serbian man who had lured him to the country with false promises of a professional football career.
What Happened?
Moses disclosed that the fake agent had been extorting $1,500 monthly from his sponsor, assuring him that he would secure a contract with a football club upon his arrival in Serbia.
"I came into contact with a fake agent in Serbia. The agent has been collecting a lot of money from my sponsor-$1,500 every month. He promised that when I come over, I will go to a club and sign a contract," Moses said in the video.
However, the agent knew that Jerry, being underage, was ineligible to sign a professional contract. The agent's repeated demands eventually led Jerry's sponsor to withdraw from the agreement, leaving the player stranded in Serbia.
After Jerry asked the agent to arrange a ticket back to Nigeria, tensions escalated, resulting in a violent altercation.
"I told him if there was a way to get a ticket back home, I would be grateful. The man said he didn't have money for a ticket and that I should listen to him because he's a good person. Later, he got angry and used a fork to stab my lip and smashed a chair on my head," Jerry recounted.
Drogba's Warning
Former Ivorian international Didier Drogba has previously warned young African talents to be cautious of fake agents. Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Drogba emphasised that aspiring players should focus on their on-field performance to attract genuine opportunities.
"Your best agent is not the guy you trust. The best agent you can have is yourself and your performance. This never lies," Drogba said.
He added: "Exceptional performance attracts clubs' attention. Many young players think an agent will find them a club, but that's not how it works. Perform first, and if an agent approaches you, ensure they are listed on FIFA's agent directory."
NFF Intervenes
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stepped in to assist Moses Jerry. The young player is no longer in contact with the fraudulent agent, identified as Ivan Trajkovic, a Slovenian with a Serbian passport.
According to reports, the Nigerian football body has relocated Moses to a safe location while addressing the situation.
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