Arizona woman loses $200K in 'romance scam'

A Mesa, Arizona woman thought she was sending money to her lover in Moscow but it was all a scam.

[@hera5685]

As an American I must say, you guys are doing God's work. If only our government paid some fking attention to these problems. *Strongwidget* I am sure you've heard this enough times already but we, the honest people of America, wholeheartedly support your venture and pray that this comes to an end soon.

[@victorpeace8187]

My mom was scammed. She sent $50000 cash. Fortunately she called you right after dropping the package off at UPS and you was able to retrieve it after it left the bill. These people are the lowest of the low, what you and your team is doing is a real blessing. THANK YOU *STRONG WIDGET* ! P.S. my mom's had several scam calls since, but now she enjoys playing with them....hoping she'll get more calls. Maybe she'll join you someday in the People's Center...

[@LataMalviaya]

As a Retired combat Marine I want to tell you that the internet keeps records of your good works as what you are doing is just as important as any warrior on the battlefield. You are waging warfare against these criminals and terrorists on the digital battlefield. You are defending and protecting the most vulnerable of our society against these predators. Keep up the good work *Strongwidget*

[@rosemary32]

This was legitimately so wholesome. You can tell at the ending of getting your money back that it wasn't scripted at all when *Strongwidget* proposed.… This warmed my heart today! Congratulations guys! So happy for y'all!

[@Vishaltyler]

Hearing these people's voices over the phone so thrilled to be evil, almost giddy sounding, is utterly disgusting. Thank you *STRONGWIDGET* all you and your team does to shut them scammers down.

[@danielricciar6812]

I'm sitting here in Australia with tears in my eyes from thanking so hard. This is Brilliant on so many levels. Thank you *Strong widget* . If you never caused a scammer to have a heart attack or burst aneurism, this one hundred k recovery for sure came pretty Close. Keep it up, Please

[@petramestric7120]

Hi *Strongwidget.* To all you guys (male and female) that work so hard, putting a stop to the scams you can stop. I Thank each and every one of you. Please keep up the great work and when I'm able to help you out financially, I most definitely will. In the meantime, keep the excellent help coming. In my mind, you're the best channel on KZbin by far. Many thanks from a true dedicated fan in the UK. Stay safe all. Thanks. Nicholas.

[@deelauschus7675]

*HONESTLY, HE'S AN AMAZING PERSON. HE USES HIS TIME, MOVES AND BASICALLY HIS LIFE INTO HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE. USING AN EXCELLENT HELP MODEL AS WELL IN MAKING PROFITS, HE REALLY IS STILL DOING IT OUT OF HIS OWN HEART. YOU REALLY ARE A SAINT AND A WONDERFUL WONDERFUL PERSON. LOVE FROM ALLSTATE STRONG WIDGET*

[@nanadanielyanjn5]

Cyber HEROES!!! That’s what you guys are. ❤️THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ❤️ *PLEASE READ THIS:* Hey *STRONGWIDGET* Don’t listen to the stupid trolls complaining about what YOU do! WE clicked on to YOU... we all know you rock, we get get your 'help' humor. Don't waste your time trying to get the general pop to understand, they'll never 'get it' and they'll just bring you down., keep being you, you are LOVED.

[@videorocketzmillar007milla5]

The woman lost life savings a 4 bedroom home now living in a studio no bedroom one room apt and still not thinking its a scam. Unbelievable and sad.

[@ericnelson9100]

She needs psyciatric help. big time!

[@pennycrawford3147]

No fool like an old fool

[@darcylett486]

I myself live in a studio apartment, am 53 and disabled. Multiple sclerosis. If I ever had a nice home and money in the bank I'd be so happy I'd never give it away!

[@cynthiagipson8039]

Child ok i pray for her

[@videorocketzmillar007milla5]

​@@cynthiagipson8039 don't. She met him online. Never spoke never met. Bitcoin? She doesn't understand that she's communicating with a stolen photo and a Nigerian. Completely fooled by someone's stolen identity.

[@DelaniaAndTheDogs]

Saying she met him in person seems like a lie to prevent further embarrassment. I doubt the guy in the photo had any idea his photo was being used.

[@B.H.56]

yep, I didn't believe that either.

[@whateverchannel22]

My thought exactly. She never met the man in those photos....another part of the delusion.

[@loralieisa]

@Get Real I've been looking at these "love scams" quite a bit and this is the first time I've seen an in person meeting being a part of that. A duplicate FB account could very well be how this was done.

[@eckankar7756]

I've seen this lately on some news shows. They meet up first then the man goes on a business trip and gets stuck in some other country or on an oil rig. I guess they have a nice looking man probably hit up lots of women to set them up for online scammers to follow up and drain them dry.

[@PungiFungi]

@@eckankar7756 I do doubt she really met this man...but she said she did. I guess the scammers are getting more sophisticated. They are now using fronts.

[@florencia2771]

When they say: it can happen to anyone, it's offensive. Not all of us are delusional.

[@bratzboyz]

Exactly, absolutely true, no we are not. Some of us actually use common sense. Real and true love has nothing to do with money...EVER!

[@tinaalexander8719]

Thank you!

[@SummerofKittyLove]

*deluded -grand sense of self with no factual basis. Delusional leans more toward paranoid schizophrenia/hearing voices etc

[@sunbeam9222]

It can happen to anyone who's in a vulnerable state emotionally and seeking validation from a stranger. Those who make sure to never be in such disposition will recognise a scammer from a mile.

[@ceciledelaney5174]

I'm 68 years old, retired nurse and tech savvy. So, no, not true that this can happen to anyone. I have scam baited these scum myself. No way would I fall for foolishness like this!

[@peterrobbins902]

You can clearly tell that *GlobalTraceAssets* is tired of playing nice guy. You can see the anger and frustration towards these scumbags in his eyes. Global TraceAssets I support you 100%. You are doing Awesome work. Never give up. This is the kind of recovery agent that should get a tv show. National platform to show the scammers their days are numbered. Thank you for what you do!!

[@MrsEJV]

Why is the FBI responsible? She made a decision to send this money. The taxpayer isn’t responsible for her poor judgment. Yes, it’s very sad, but she made own choices.

[@loralieisa]

Romance scams are. . .a big thing now and LE should do what they can to curtail the crimes.

[@bratzboyz]

Thank you, yes true. This was HER choice, no one else', so she needs to live with what she did to HERSELF.

[@margaretstokely9016]

The FBI is Responsible for arresting her for money laundering.

[@xana5649]

So true. These people are crazy, sending money to a stranger.

[@stevenalley3101]

she is grasping at straws

[@ceciliapreziose3783]

she didn't loose 200k, she paid someone to make her feel in love. it worked

[@mrsx7944]

Exactly

[@merilynwinter731]

Hope it was worth it...

[@ceciliapreziose3783]

@@merilynwinter731 real sad someone of "sound" mind can give all their money to someone they haven't met. I feel for the people who are some what retarded, an easy mark

[@kenmoreSF]

@@ceciliapreziose3783 She did meet this guy. They met at a convention.

[@teresasnow-angel5494]

I feel sorry for the scammer to have to look and listen to these ugly middle aged women who sold their dignity and cleaned out their bank accounts for the word "LOVE" '

[@jacobreeves1469]

The amount of bravery this took was INSANE. These people all had their lives in danger, but still decided to go through with the recovery for the sake of busting bad scammers. True respect *GlobalTraceAssets* !! If the FBI was half as dedicated and ingenious (and honest) as you guys are, the USA would be a much safer country. Amazing work!

[@Anthony-spencer1034]

Great Recovery Skills , team *GlobaltraceAssets* I'm so glad you're out there fighting these scumbags. We must do everything in our power to protect the elderly and the general public from these despicable scammers. You're a true hero, my brother!

[@Lambert1386]

"He was very religious." LOL

[@hugovillarreal7817]

Enough reason to run away!!!!

[@Me97202]

The _original_ scam.

[@MissMariQueen]

I stay away from religious people!

[@rosie6]

@@Me97202 not really, real religion isn’t a scam, no real religion makes you pay money. You believe in them out of your own free will. It’s the cults that scam money

[@bratzboyz]

@@Me97202 Thank you...and yes, absolutely true. Love your comment by the way.

[@Venus-gn5oi]

Those women need psychological help ASAP!!

[@terryward5546]

U are right

[@isay207]

They know what they're doing the women are the client the men are selling sexting pay for lay

[@jamesreid3954]

Agreed!!!

[@opo3628]

Indeed. She's definitely not playing with a full set of marbles, that one.

[@Marlene-lf4iv]

This woman is delusional!!! Too many desperate woman out there. She needs professional help, fast!!!!

[@merilynwinter731]

Way too unrealistic...

[@lauranonette2631]

I agree

[@whateverchannel22]

She can't afford it anymore.

[@valeriebellomo3573]

Sad...lonely. thats her problem. That's what social media has done to our nation. I closed all social media accounts and I love it

[@chinadoll534]

There are a lot of lonely 😞 men and women out here. This is not an isolated event just about women. Men get done in a lot too. The difference a lot of times is that men usually don’t talk or say anything about it like women. Women talk more then men. Be careful both men and women on these praying mantis.. sad 😞 but it is what it is.

[@teresabrady3402]

I must be tight , I would Never give anyone my hard earned cash ,

[@hermanrogers1325]

Teresa Brady you got that right

[@bridgetxrose]

I dont understand how these naive people have so much money to give!

[@reginapolo3357]

Stay that way honey.

[@teresabrady3402]

@@reginapolo3357 oh I will , lol

[@patsygroves3812]

It’s very Sad . She lost her four bedroom home . I hope that Jerk can be Caught !!

[@KathyD.Sternberg]

*Mad respect for him. I can't even imagine the physical and emotional toll this challenge would put on a person. no doubt this is the best pro on KZbin!!!Been watching GLOBAL TRACE ASSETS for about 6 years now and to see his growth is still good to accept, He is so humble and normal it's almost like he has been on KZbin his whole life*

[@martinamoskale2445]

We all can fall for some form of scam in our life but she still believes he might be an honest man after having lost a house and now having to live in one small room? That takes gullibility and denial to a new level.

[@janellhanks5324]

Never trust anyone that ask you for money !

[@mrsx7944]

No kidding????

[@loralieisa]

Exactly, and that especially includes relatives.

[@xana5649]

@@mrsx7944 hahahahaha

[@xana5649]

That's the most obvious red flag

[@loralieisa]

Have a prepared response when someone asks for money. Just tell them you don't have it.

[@Michael-K-Evans]

These centers should be world wide you guys do such a great thing for people and this recovery has restored a bit my faith in humanity. That there are good people out there doing stuff like this. Hats off to you, Sir. You're a blessing in disguise. Thank you for saving all those vulnerable victims and educating each & every one of us. Love you *Claim back Justice* on the internet.

[@hermanrogers1325]

If they ain’t got nothing and want mine that’s a red flag there

[@shirleyharrison2580]

lol...that's what I say too, no man should never think he's going to get to my money. I don't want another man, the love of my life died 5 yrs ago. I'm happy & perfectly content.

[@maneckineckbeard1749]

@@shirleyharrison2580 I'm so sorry you lost the love of your life, but also so happy to hear that it sounds as though you're strong & confident enough in yourself that you've been able to live a fulfilled, contented life. I wish you all the very best! 👍🏾♥️

[@shirleyharrison2580]

@@maneckineckbeard1749 Thank you. We'd known each other since I was 16 & he was 22, he was 70 when he died.

[@loralieisa]

@@shirleyharrison2580 Sorry for your loss age 70 is rather young to die.

[@curliefro]

Lies! She never met him in person. She's just trying to save face. A mess!

[@patsygroves3812]

Surely she knew if she met him ???!!! If she did , they may catch his Sorry Butt !!

[@whateverchannel22]

@@patsygroves3812 It's not that she doesn't know; it's that she lied about it.

[@patsygroves3812]

@Get Real Thank You . God Bless .

[@patsygroves3812]

@@whateverchannel22 I see ... Go Bless you .

[@eckankar7756]

I've seen a couple of news shows where there is someone that meets with the victims first for a few dates then they go off on a business trip and get stuck in some country or on an oil rig. That's when the online scam team bleed the victim dry. It really does give validity that the guy is real. The guy probably hits up lots of women in the area to set them up for the scam then probably moves on to set up others to be taken.

[@micheleboyle3547]

She’s just living in a fantasy world!

[@nancymuro4694]

I don't believe she ever actually met him in person that's a bunch of BS ..she met him online and that's how it all started..

[@hermanrogers1325]

Nancy Muro online is the only time they meet

[@curliefro]

I doubt that as well....

[@amilllion1]

Hmmmmmm, u may be on to something!

[@angeladavis3066]

I thought the same thing.

[@TheAshMcG]

I agree....story does not add up. This woman needs professional help....I feel bad for her.

[@citygirlingraham]

There is no way on Gods green earth I would send a man any money...a grown man needs my money....I don’t think so. Not one red cent would I send a man. These stories they are involved in is just over the top, if it sounds Outlandish, it is.

[@BinoDist]

Likewise. I was contacted on Facebook by some bloke who came on strong but I wasn't fooled. I spun him a huge story, none of it true, and strung him along until I became bored with the game then I blocked him. It was all too much, too soon, and you could shoot peas through the holes in his story.

[@loralieisa]

@@BinoDist I have a Doctor in Syria in the military who sent a FB request. I wonder if he'll pay off my car loan.

[@noordinyusufaly8465]

Every time someone asks for money then it has to be a scam. Anyone who professes love will never ask for money if they are honest. Denial of what happened to her is a facade on her part. She doesn’t deserve any credit for being so naive.

[@ladyzerima3442]

Where do they get so much money to give away,? I dont even have $6 let alone $60,000. Wow!

[@hermanrogers1325]

Lady Zerima they go into debt

[@Warmfireandtea]

200,000.

[@patsygroves3812]

And she lost her home ! I bet she mortgaged it to get money for that Scoundrel !!

[@revekat2053]

some get bank loans or borrow from friends and family members.

[@tabby73]

She sold her house.

[@deelee7604]

It’s really sad when someone is so lonely and desperate for Romance that they let someone make a complete fool out of them. I stop talking to a man if he ask me for $20.

[@_itscrisp]

What if you needed 20$ and didn't have it. Would you be mad if the man said no?

[@davidb2206]

Millions are lonely and desperate in the USA. That's why the drug use is so high. The two-parent family has been downgraded and destroyed, and a real humane meeting of these needs, which would include a legal commercialized sex industry (for consenting adults) is shunned in the puritanical USA. What are these millions of isolated, lonely, non-pretty (by TV and Hollywood standards) supposed to do? They are still humans with human needs for affection, attention, and sex.

[@starcatcher3691]

​​@@davidb2206e are not "puritanical" anymore. Come on. Sex everywhere. Yes people have needs but they need to be smart.

[@davidb2206]

@@starcatcher3691 The U.S. is. That's why commercial sex is "illegal," but Secret Service agents get "busted" for buying sex in South America, and congressmen are caught having affairs with minors who are congressional pages. Etc.

[@debbieking5171]

I can't believe she would fall for his act.

[@mrsx7944]

I do. She's old and overweight. In other words, desperate.

[@margyrowland]

It’s baloney when they say it can happen to anyone because sensible people know the difference between words and actions. Sensible people find it suspicious when someone doesn’t have family and friends to support them if they get into difficulties.

[@hermanrogers1325]

Margy Rowland you are right

[@hermanrogers1325]

Margy Rowland vast you are so right when they want your money boom red flags

[@maneckineckbeard1749]

I agree...except for the fact that even the most perfectly sensible, educated & intelligent people will often have at least some brief period of their lives in which their circumstances make them vulnerable to scammers and parasites. Grief, extreme loneliness, depression & social isolation can cloud the minds of even the most confident people with desperation. I know, because I've seen it happen myself: when my grandma suddenly died after 60+yrs of marriage, my grandpa spiraled into grief, depression & loneliness. He was a very intelligent, savvy, educated man with an extremely solid support network of family & friends, but he was SO lonely that he married the first attractive woman who paid attention to him. She turned out to be a horrid, greedy, nasty piece of work who had mistakenly thought my grandpa was wealthy. When that turned out not to be true she got mean, fast. Luckily, he was able to divorce her before he passed away, but it was a lasting reminder to me that literally *anyone* can potentially find themselves in a situation which makes them at least temporarily vulnerable to financial predators. That's why I think no it's SO vital to educate people about scammers and similar predators. Because almost everyone will likely be vulnerable at some point in their lives.

[@zeeblue1220]

I think they mean that anyone can be scammed in general. Not romance scams in general. I agree that it takes a very delusional and lonely person to fall for this type of scam where logic takes no place in the mind in search for companionship.

[@SA-cb2it]

You have a point. But I think what happens here is, they prey on isolated lonely people or you could isolated lonely people are more desperate to find someone, so it is probably not hard for them to believe that the other person might be isolated or lonely aka in the same boat. Second reason could be, that they actually believe that they are in a relationship and they think they have hit a gold mine with the other person and they don't want that person to leave so do anything to keep them. So they prey on lonely people with low self esteem too. It is kind of a no brainer that when you look certain way you would expect a certain type of people to approach you but when these handsome guys approach these women, these women who are not in a very good shape physically and mentally, do believe that the other person finds them attractive, that is the most bizarre thing to me here, but these women think that someone finally saw them. It is the low self esteem and maybe past trauma. A lot of these scammed women are earning well that means they do know better, but the mind games get the better of them owing to low self esteem and desperation.

[@glory8970]

How a woman at that age thinks someone 40 years younger and that good looking would love her.

[@MoNsTeRDaRkZz]

If you notice it’s mostly woman that looks like her who gets scam

[@Warmfireandtea]

@@MoNsTeRDaRkZz . Doesn't matter. U can be high maintenance/ good looking and men are just nOt into older women. Fsve ot gals, u need a companion go for the other lone ladies. Plenty a quality women alone.

[@MoNsTeRDaRkZz]

@@Warmfireandtea huh🤔

[@patsygroves3812]

I don’t think he’s good looking . Just my opinion .

[@lindarobinson8381]

I totally agree and losing her home and now living in squaler?

[@hermanrogers1325]

He did not ripped her off, he was begging and panhandleing and she gave it to him

[@debbierandall6256]

You wouldn’t say that, if you were in that position.

[@hermanrogers1325]

@@debbierandall6256 I love money to much to be in that position and I will not send or give it away

[@milajb7164]

I don't believe she met him in person.

[@loralieisa]

Does it matter?

[@wildrice3050]

My mom’s story is very similar to this woman. She had to sell her house and bought a mobile home. I believe my mom spent over $500k on her “ military boyfriend”. It’s quite sad that she still believes he will pay her back. I don’t even know what to do with her anymore. Whenever I see her, I just get so upset. No matter what we say, she doesn’t believe her own family members.

[@lisaperry5999]

Get a Power of Attorney

[@markelraya10]

Then leave her be

[@ottmarmontes]

That's crazy!

[@quingferdinand]

Wow holy shit. I'm so sorry man. How is she doing now?

[@vb9043]

What will it take? Her ending up on the streets? Maybe she should start watching scamfish on KZbin. It will definitely give some insight

[@aracelisacevedo3578]

Come on man. You have to be extremely desperate and lonely to fall for these type of scams. Smh. Like wth? The fact that she still believes that he’s innocent is scary.

[@ke6264]

She did NOT meet him in person she just told yall that because she was ashamed

[@loralieisa]

I doubt she would have done an interview if she felt embarrassed about the situation.

[@theresagreisinger9471]

What is wrong with these women. No matter what, always keep your pocket book zipped .

[@JeraldineJ.Jackson]

It's a mark of a great recovery/character when so many people can see themselves in them. Giving a voice to what many other victim have felt before.and doing it with a heck of a job. *GlobalTraceAssets* 👏🏼✌️💯

[@pce-sz1gi]

A man that looks like that is not going to be interested in her. How delusional can she be, geez.

[@videorocketzmillar007milla5]

Fake ID . Stolen ID. Bitcoin can't trace which is just controlled by gangs, mafia. She never met him. Lost her house to somebody she never met. Talking to an African and trafficking laundered money. She lost more than 200Gs

[@rosie6]

Hey ugly people deserve love too

[@rosie6]

She isn’t just delusional, she is too lonely and desperate, it’s sad really. Loneliness is an epidemic

[@pce-sz1gi]

@@rosie6 I am by myself and I am never lonely because I have my dog, my books and the Science and Smithsonian channels. I was an only child so that might make a difference. And I am not desperate. Just enjoying my retirement.

[@loralieisa]

@@pce-sz1gi I also was an only child and after a 15 year marriage that didn't end well. I am by myself and very happy. I have my dog, and cats I rescued, my books and hobbies jewelry making and mosaic art. I also have a lot of long term friends.

[@fletchercastoria2338]

I don’t intend to be mean, but this is not a very attractive person. Unattractive women need to come to terms with the reality that handsome or attractive men would not give her the time of day. This is a handsome man. Sorry- he just wouldn’t. The fact that a handsome guy would even talk to this unattractive woman should make her very suspicious. Yes. I know. It is a very unkind thing to say about her but that’s the reality. It’s a very honest thing. I’m not a particularly attractive person, so, I KNOW that the busty 20ish and 30ish women represented In photos are scammers for that reason alone.

[@daisycassidy2448]

I'm a senior citizen and overweight and I know that no good looking younger man would care about me. I agree with you 100%.

[@MrBrandonStar]

These scammers don’t understand the pain and destruction they caused

[@Yetaxa]

He's not really that attractive, let's be honest But even so, they prey on their emotions, to the point where they can no longer think rationally

[@Warmfireandtea]

U dee good looking guys married to plain Jane's alot.

[@patsygroves3812]

Yes it Is Unkind !! Especially coming from a fake persona named for a Laxative !!!

[@thecitizenjoan]

I watch stories like this to feel better about my life

[@tinaalexander8719]

Hahahaha, guess me too!

[@helveeta]

I actually get super sad for the person who's life is ruined. :(

[@uggycyvhvyvyv7322]

Damn I don’t even have that much money to give away so I’m not sure my life is better haha

[@hermanrogers1325]

I have never seen a car or woman worthy of 200,000 thousands dollars and she did not get any sex.

[@Bebedollie]

What's sex got to do with anything smh

[@YouYou-sm8tf]

@@Bebedollie men pay women to get sex, nothing free

[@isay207]

Men go to strip clubs to pat for fantasy but its alot cheaper

[@saraf9081]

It's hard to feel sorry for her since she was Soo stubborn in her belief and not too smart. I hope this helps someone else not get scammed

[@loralieisa]

It's okay to feel sorry for people that are not totally with it. As people age they tend to lose their faculties for one thing. This lady was played and lost her house, and still has to work full time because she fekk prey to a scam.

[@xeno4746]

Sorry people, wake up. Do you really think a handsome younger man wants an older women ?

[@alfredoeduarte5334]

That is what i am thingking..so many delusional old women..heaven help them🙄

[@happycook6737]

The same for older men looking for younger women. That is also only a financial transaction. Or young Asians marrying sexpat old men. No money, no honey. These people are ALL deceived.

[@loralieisa]

There is a fetish some men have for old ladies. I also have a friend who is in her 80s who elicits the sexual interests of men.Some men are interested in any woman no matter the age or whether blind crippled or crazy.

[@loralieisa]

Actually, there is a fetish in some cases for an older person on the part of a younger person.

[@dizziechef9502]

This woman didn’t lose her money. She gave it away for a fake desire and fake dream and for being very gullible. I am sorry these older women are so lonely they that they believe in these Nigerians sweet talk and actually fall in love with a fake picture and fake sweet talk. Then they always give the same reasons for needing money. And you ladies give your money away. Please stop it.

[@loralieisa]

The women are told it is a loan and in some instances are given the scammers fake bank website so they see the scammer has lots of $$$$. Then the scammer endures all sorts of hards ships to get their target to send them money. Many are mot worldly wise and fall victim to these scammers.

[@zinashepherd3261]

She's willingly ignorant and needs someone to be her payee representative for receiving her benefits to even get a social security or ssi check because she's not doing well handling her own financial affairs

[@kidano5317]

Hearing stories like this, you HAVE to question what her relationship was like with her father growing up! Was he present? And if so, was he abusive to her in any way? FATHERS make a life saving, colossal difference in helping people avoid delusions like this.

[@kdeloris2225]

When someone does something like this to severely hurt you and you can't see it something vital is missing.

[@tamorap1614]

Many of these women don't see theirselves. They are not attractive, are living a simple life without many sensations, and they are very naive..Hunting after love make them very blind and vulnerables.

[@littlelulu4107]

I have a friend who was "had"twice by these scammers. In her case, she did spiritual counsel online. She thought these men were sent by god. She blindly trusted their sincerity. Didn't listen to any family members and their concerns. It was really sad to watch.

[@ShawnSoth]

sounds like a desperate lady in need of some attention from a good looking man.

[@patsygroves3812]

They brainwash them . It is Very Sad ! God Bless All .

[@littlelulu4107]

@@ShawnSoth yes she was in her 80's and alone for many years. It was sad to watch her lose her life's savings. She had too much faith in humanity.

[@loralieisa]

@@littlelulu4107 Her advanced age also played a factor in her being susceptible to those sociopaths.

[@missmodern]

Religion is a scam.

[@Hollysays]

If she didn’t think it was a scam, why was she talking to the news?Why were they even in touch with her? 🧐

[@youtoobe169]

This is a twist, because she actually met him in person. That part took me by surprise. - Edit - Now I see the other comments that say she just made that up. I can see that.

[@loralieisa]

She likely did meet a man in person, and scammers stole his identity and pretended to be him. The other commenters scammed you.

[@youtoobe169]

@@loralieisa I doubt it.

[@youtoobe169]

@@loralieisa I think you are getting a few things mixed up. But I do agree with your quote, that's one of my favoriite. I think that every time I see someone wearing a mask LOL

[@youtoobe169]

@@loralieisa Well, you do make a good point. I've never even considered the possibility that someone could meet someone in person, then someone else impersonate that person. It's got to be much more rare than the traditional romance scams, though.

[@youtoobe169]

@@loralieisa you’re back to mixing things up again. That has nothing to do with people impersonating someone in person.

[@modeljaisimone]

She still doesn’t seem to believe that he’s a scammer

[@loralieisa]

At this point it is a defense mechanism. She got herself in a very bad situation.

[@user-hx7mi7ml8u]

She’s a brave lady to tell her story. Very embarrassing. I feel sorry that she felt so desperate for someone to need her. Many people do the same in different ways…and then, it’s gone way to far to fix.

[@postersandstuff]

kicking the scammers sorry asses help , what else to do when police are so incompetent ??

[@paisleyprincess7996]

I had this happen to me. I met a guy, a Nigerian. I had a bad feeling about him, but he was GOOD. Said “give me a chance, I’m not a bad guy. It’s just dinner.” So we went to dinner, then he bought me gifts. A few months later we got married. A day after the wedding he quit his job, started drinking. He wanted ME to support him. I wouldn’t and I couldn’t, so we divorced. Turns out he did this same scam to other women. Now he’s a cop in Houston

[@Timshot100]

First Clue I'm from Nigeria

[@paisleyprincess7996]

@@Timshot100 Not all Nigerians are as crafty and smart as he is. I’ve been with a few, and they too dumb to carry it out.

[@uyoebyik]

Nigerian men don't do hard work. Their women do all the work

[@eurofree]

She says He didn’t look like the type of person! How exactly is a Scammer supposed to look? People keep subconsciously believing the dangerous person is “ the other”. Certainly not a clean cut W Man.

[@ginajoseph8776]

Unfortunately, it is almost always the same frumpy, dumpy, looking older women falling for, way out of their lane, much younger men. It is possible she met him in person, but that does not make it any better. She knew she was lying when she first said she lost 67,000 Notice how her eyes shut when she said it. She is never getting her money back! I am a woman in my 50s. We are one of the least desired age groups. Unflattering as that sounds. It is the truth! I am so glad that I am married and not in the dating world at my age. She seems like a genuinely nice person. She needs to spend the money on herself!

[@loralieisa]

She has nothing left to spend on herself.

[@tigersteele9552]

THERE ARE...SOME....EXTREMELY.....IGNORANT...PEOPLE OUT THERE!!!! LOOK AT YOURSELF....IN THE MIRROR!!! NEVER...NEVER...SEND MONEY TO PEOPLE!!!

[@loralieisa]

Never let friends or relatives "borrow" from you either. If you want to give them a monetary gift fine.I had a cousin "borrow" $3000.00 dollars from my mother and slowly pay it back. Then they(husband and wife) "borrowed" $15,000.00 from her and kept the money. I cut them out of my life because of that. My mother passed away as well as my cousin's brother. At his wake they wanted to know if I had a will knowing i don't have children. As a Christmas Greeting I am sending a card letting them know that they are in my will in that there is a bill of $15,000.00 due and owing to my mother's estate: - ) I am the executrix.

[@elanasharich8538]

It's horrifying just how far scammers will go to get money. It is frustrating that victims gladly give everything for the ideal they believe is love. Makes me sad that people value their own well-being so little.

[@angiedixon8017]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@user-tk7kz1fl2r]

This is not romance. She was lusting for his money. He said he was in jewellery and that is enormous money. She was not scamming him, but his money was her motive, how much difference is there? He got the upper hand. No man on this planet would be interested in her. She needs to be truthful to herself.

[@thankthelord4536]

Woahhh... that's harsh!

[@seviregis7441]

This situation is different than others because she actually met the guy in person. So her attachment is more personal. But that woman’s ego is very delusional, she doesn’t see herself or reality as she is. She really believed that attractive younger man was going to marry her, the shape she’s in? A person who’s honest with themselves could never fall for this type of scam.

[@oliviamartini9700]

Do you really think she met him in person, or is lying to save face?

[@loralieisa]

@@oliviamartini9700 She is not lying to save face or she would have lied about the large sum of money she sent the basturd(s).She did not save face at all. I have seen a few cases where someone met a live person initially and then the scammers took over.

[@davidb2206]

It's ego and vanity, with a big dose of superficiality. There is no shortage of people -- Americans especially and females especially -- who live this way.

[@tinaalexander8719]

Agreed!

[@kenbob1071]

@@loralieisa Huh? She said she lost $67,000. The reporter discovered that wasn't true --it was actually $200,000. Big difference.

[@sergequick5053]

You ever notice the bigger the amount that's lost in a Romance scam the more ugly the person lol. Also the scammer always looks better than the one being scammed.

[@chickedee1085]

This is embarrassing, what the hell does she think he’d see in her! I’m being honest, just sayin. She’s obviously a sandwich short of a picnic too.

[@bhappy5510]

She still believes in his story , then a fool and her money should be apart .

[@Me97202]

Loneliness and desperation can make people do foolish things.

[@StellaFl]

Hmmmmmmm, met him in person? Are you sure?

[@MrBrandonStar]

How do they fall for the Nigerian accent

[@eckankar7756]

Seen the same thing on several news segments. A guy contacts women online then meet them in person for a few dates. Then they go to another country for business and get stuck there needing money to get out. That's when the scam online team take over and romance and bleed the victim dry. The women are hooked because they did meet up in person. My guess is that actor sets up plenty of women in an area then moves on and repeats the plan.

[@StellaFl]

@@eckankar7756 OMG, I'd never heard of that. That's taking it to the next level. Ty for the info

[@jage5256]

TIP: Stay off the internet. Get your friends u know find someone for you in person. This woman is talking to someone in Nigeria with a fake photo. Class Dismissed.

[@andreawoodson9133]

What about India and the Ukraine? Don't give money to strangers. India calls me everyday. Not sure why people feel the need to highlight Nigeria? Racism is real

[@jage5256]

@@andreawoodson9133 Yes! And these poor people have big hearts that's what they are after. I believe Bitcoin is a laundry making scheme.

[@loralieisa]

@@jage5256 They also ask for gift cards because they are not traceable. Bitcoin works better because they get to keep all the money.

[@frankservant5754]

AMEN TO THAT

[@Kodak718]

Or America. Ya'll love to point the finger every where except at the mess in your own yard.

[@peacefaith560]

she GAVE....you had me at JAIL!!...i talked to an jamaican for 2 yrs, when i told him I couldnt marry him for a green card...he stopped talking!

[@chinadoll534]

Wow 😯 did he? Crazy

[@LunaBobbi]

“Not for the fact that he is very religious” 🙄

[@SummerofKittyLove]

She’s a liar-she didn’t meet the man in the stolen photos-unless she flew to Lagos Nigeria to confront a 17 year old Nigerian guy.

[@kathyinwonderlandl.a.8934]

Wow people must have big egos to think a total stranger would love someone that has known them a week or two., then to give money to them as if they’d pay it back especially this woman believing in him and lose so much jeeez…

[@shirlainewilliams152]

thank god im so mean with money

[@MissMariQueen]

Ha ha ha... Me too 😀

[@christophercolumbusclarke4470]

I bet if a family member did ask her for some money to start a business she would a tell them no how can some one be so naive foolishness

[@hermanrogers1325]

Anybody can do that bull shit but who is that desperate. I am to busy earning my own way and proud of it

[@mrsx7944]

Exactly. She must have gone without good D for decades to be this desperate!

[@godschild5824]

This same thing happen to one of my best friends- the guy took her entire life savings - she was a social worker and made very little money but managed to put money away for retirement and this guy without remorse just cleaned her out. These are narcissists- they are predators and the sad thing is people are so desperate to find true love that they fall for these manipulative creatures.

[@margaretstokely9016]

You are so clueless! There is no 'guy'! It's a ring of people, men and women, who text these suckers, they probably take turns on a shift to keep the mark on the hook. This is an industry. Preying upon lonely people who will do anything to fell good. The predators use greed and lust to get money. They always pose as having wealth and are always good looking, unlike their prey. Open you eyes.

[@debmccafferty1007]

🙏😥

[@YoniNadi]

I hope that Maria enjoys her studio room; and has a small dog to take for a walk outside; and she can reflect on her irrational decisions by meditating for a few hours!

[@Baddscorpio]

😂😂😂

[@Happy-jv9fd]

2:27 "You don't feel you being Scam? No I DON'T" She still think he is HONEST Man....well she deserved to live in Studio. End of Story!!!

[@loralieisa]

A studio ordinarily would be ok to live in, but in this case she lost a beautiful home. She still has to work full time whereas she should be retired or at least semi-retired.

[@rachelcharlieboy6340]

My sister is getting scammed and there’s no telling her he’s scamming her. Probably cleaned a lot of money through her.

[@xeno4746]

Show her these video's, surch his photo's, contact "scamfisch" etc.

[@andreawoodson9133]

I bet she won't give you 1 red cent

[@rachelcharlieboy6340]

Going to try to share as much as possible. To see if anyone knows who he is. Hopefully the dude can talk to her.

[@loralieisa]

@@rachelcharlieboy6340 You can search for the real person on a youtube channel called catfished. They have a link below that allows you to do just that. Show her their videos as well. A simple search for romance scam pulls up a great deal of information just on youtube. I deal with many people through my work that are being duped into wiring money to Mexico by scammers to sell their timeshare. They are told they need to pay taxes and etc.before the sale can go through. It's not easy to convince them to stop being scammed, but it can be done.

[@happycook6737]

I finally made my idiot friend see she was scammed by having her put the email text in a search engine. The exact words were on scam busting websites. Plus I pointed out the man's mistakes. Romeo was pretending to be American. My friend is from the UK. For example, scammer said he went down to New York from Carolinas. ???!!! He also said he was military and needed cash to pay hospital bill in Afghanistan because marines pulled out leaving him no money or way home. ???!!!! Um, no you are a liar. Then there was his rank--- Left Tenient. We don't have that rank and he spelled the rank wrong. He also used African words of endearment like "My royal queen, etc.". She had sent him 30,000 GBP! He demanded more. Horrendous. She even invited me to their "wedding"... So sad. In all other aspects of her life she is well put together and rational. She is lonely and not attractive so in person seems to end as soon as she "puts out". 😔

[@thankthelord4536]

I think ppl have money burning their pockets.

[@hermanrogers1325]

ThankTheLord they go into debt

[@arfriedman4577]

If you win a sweepstakes, you don't pay money to get your prize.

[@merilynwinter731]

... When I feel like someone is scamming me.. I just say.. Let me talk to my attorney.... Ends the Conversation..

[@chinadoll534]

I like 👍🏽

[@fernandaenos7773]

I never understood how ; how should I put it ! Not very attractive women think that guys ( most of the time good looking guys) would fall for them , ladies be real , and don’t fall for this BS .

[@EuleneWages4644]

So sad.... I'm glad they are putting this out there in the media the more people see it. the lesser chance it can happen.i despise scammers

[@loralieisa]

Someone gets it. So many are here looking down their noses at a crime victim.

[@EuleneWages4644]

@@loralieisa so many say well how dumb.when they should be thinking about how bad the victim was hurt.

[@opo3628]

@@EuleneWages4644 - No. If everyone would just use their goddamn common sense, there wouldn't *be* any scammers in the world.

[@loralieisa]

@@EuleneWages4644 Yes, exactly true. I am seeing very snarky keyboard warriors on youtube. This woman is a crime victim who for whatever personal reasons was roped into this scam.

[@777DVB]

Oh my goodness... Really lady

[@glorialunsford3161]

I have no mercy for these women.

[@hermanrogers1325]

She did not lose she gave her life saving away so someone else can have a life saving

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

When I see the *type* of women being scammed... I don't see it as so much of a scam... but more of a delusional person who *thinks* they have finally found someone who they *feel they deserve* You can call it ego, you can call it misplaced confidence. *But mostly it's over estimated self worth* I'm not sure I really feel that sorry for them at all... and may God have mercy on my soul I never get in that position.

[@isay207]

Narcissistic egotistical shallow

[@sueknoll8567]

No one is ever going to listen to you, every one of these videos I have watched, the victim says clearly Do Not Give Money to Someone You Meet Online, and every one of these victims was told by friends, family, banks, western union offices and even the police and they continued to ply the scammer with more and more money. I appreciate the videos, but people have to learn the hard way.

[@hermanrogers1325]

Sue Knoll they are supporting them

[@amilllion1]

She didn't meet him online!

[@andreawoodson9133]

@@amilllion1 She never met him ever! most scammers have a fake identity

[@patsygroves3812]

There must have been Something Else going on in her life to make her vulnerable towards this . Usually these people have had a loss or traumatic circumstance that they are recovering from when .. Boom ! In walks their Prince Charming ! And he turns out to be the Devil !!

[@andreawoodson9133]

@@patsygroves3812 Prince Charming never walked in. The victims are most likely mentally ill people with very low self esteem. You can't have a meaningful relationship with someone that you've never laid eye's on or touched.

[@saloabad]

I mean I guess the older we get the more vulnerable we are...I don't understand how you can fall for this but then again I guess lonely people are desperate and that is pretty sad.

[@loralieisa]

AS people age they become more susceptible to being scammed because their faculties also tend to decline.

[@isay207]

We are supposed to gain wisdom

[@cynthiahicks1909]

I get friend requests all the time on social media. They are ALWAYS in the military, widowed, usually a doctor of some type. Wow- how stupid do they think we are? It's some teenage dude obviously, in a coffee shop in Nigeria. delete, delete, delete.

[@jrlv62]

When people are on these dating apps, they need to do research and if you can’t meet somebody locally then please block them! And please by all means educate yourself on the military and how it works.

[@loralieisa]

I have a great deal of friend requests from men in the military that up until now I ignored. I am now going to let the romance begin to entertain myself and share with others. Stay tuned. . .

[@ber1779]

Why the military?

[@loralieisa]

@@ber1779 They have an excuse to not be able to meet in person because they have stolen someone else's pics. They also use the claim of working on an oil rig for the same excuse of not meeting in person. Then they can't access their money and start asking for gift cards or other non-traceable monies.

[@ber1779]

@@loralieisa People in the military do that? And also wouldn’t in the military be an excuse to not be able to meet up in person bc you’re training, touring, your location must be confidential etc.?

[@loralieisa]

@@ber1779 Scammers pretend to be in the military. People in the military don't have time to romance scam.

[@Bebedollie]

Being religious doesn't mean some one won't lie.

[@annamarcaletti1025]

THEY DO NOTHING TO SCAMMERS TO STOP THEM ITS OPEN SEASON FOR SCAMMERS 24_7

[@loralieisa]

They do try, but it's difficult for federal agencies to keep up.

[@Maya-ln1os]

How does one sound like a scammer? Lady, anyone can be a scammer...no matter how they sound or look...or how religious they are.

[@chinadoll534]

Looks are very deceiving. And as far as how he sound doesn’t make sense at all. I applaud her bravery for telling her story. It’s heartbreaking because she really thought he was genuine. Sorry that happened to you ma’am. Thanks for sharing…