04 September 2023 , 20:40
787
0
Mirror readers have reacted angrily to a grandma who laid into her Egyptian toyboy ex after spending thousands of pounds to clear his debts. Pensioner Iris Jones, 83 married "narcissistic" Mohamed Ibrahim, 37, in June 2020.
The couple were given a hard time from the beginning of their relationship - scrutinised by the public and close family alike. The unlikely duo appeared determined to make their romance last, however, despite a 46-year age gap.
It wasn't to be though, as almost three years on a bust-up has resulted in separation, with Iris reportedly throwing her lover out of her home and replacing his affection with that of her beloved her cat, Mr. Tibbs. In a post on her Facebook page, Iris opened up about her personal life and how she met her current beau.
She told her followers: "I wish to tell you all the truth about the relationship between Mohamed and myself from the day he first messaged me until now. On June 25 2019, I received a message from Mohamed, and we became friends on messenger."
She continued: "He seemed a nice bloke and right from the start he was forced into a marriage and as a result, four children were born. He was going through a divorce and felt that I was the person who could understand and that he could talk to." It wasn't long until the couple met in person after Iris supported him through his divorce.
Top 20 excuses Brits use to cancel a date - from sickness to work emergency
Iris and Mohamed have a widely-publicised 46-year age gap (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)With love appearing to blossom, Iris claims she took "several thousand pounds" with her to Cairo four months later and paid "all his debts". And on a second trip she added that she took another £15,000 in cash, ignoring advice from the British Embassy in the city.
"The third time I went to Egypt we did finally get married," she added. "I had £40,000 in my bank account and I handed over my bank card to Mohamed every day and we were drawing a thousand Egyptian pounds daily." A spousal visa followed allowing Mohamed to remain in the UK for two years - but his financial demands didn't end there, resulting in Iris handing over another £26,000.
Giving him a tough ultimatum, she said: "I told him: 'no more money. If I dropped dead tomorrow, I wouldn't have enough to bury me. He did say at that stage that he needed another £40,000. Well, you will have to whistle for it because I haven't got it." Eventually the marriage "deteriorated" and Iris claims she asked Mohamed to leave "after another vitriolic row".
After telling her story on the social media platform, Mirror readers took to the comments section in their droves, calling out the pensioner's "naivety" and "gullible personality".
"Hope she's learned her lesson always knew it wouldn't end well!!!" one Facebook user wrote. Another pondered: "Why are women still falling for this scam? It's well publicised on tv etc. They don't love you, they love your money and your gullible personality and when it's all gone, their gone too."
A third declared: "Some people never listen to advice. They end up wanting help from others when they end up in deep water. But it's too late by then, always err on the side of caution. There is a saying. If it sounds to good to be true, it generally IS!"
A fourth asked: "What goes on in these old people's minds? I'm sure she should be wiser and have more sense at her age." And a fifth added: "Pity she didn't listen to her family they were dead set against it, I just think these women are prone to flattery and love to hear the sweet talk."