Diabolical new twist to romance scams turns victims into “money mules"

A yearlong CBS News investigation explores a troubling new twist on romance scams that challenges investigators. The victims, often blinded by love, are being turned into unwitting co-conspirators.
Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
Subscribe to "CBS Mornings" on KZbin: / cbsmornings
Watch CBS News: cbsnews.com/live/
Download the CBS News app: cbsnews.com/mobile/
Follow "CBS Mornings" on Instagram: / cbsmornings
Like "CBS Mornings" on Facebook: / cbsmornings
Follow "CBS Mornings" on Twitter: / cbsmornings
Subscribe to our newsletter: cbsnews.com/newsletters/
Try Paramount+ free: paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-0...
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@maxinef6654]

What Gail really wanted to say is “how the hell you give money to someone you’re never met in person”. 😂😂

[@Eastpointe]

Basically!

[@margo3367]

Well, even then. If you met the guy and were just dating, would you give him a million bucks? I guess I’m too cynical, but a healthy dose of cynicism or skepticism protects you from these scam artists.

[@DM-lc2cf]

@@margo3367 That is so true. I am skeptical of most things, but I was once in an abusive relationship, and looking back I was very venerable, and more easily manipulated by that person......So yes, being skeptical is a good defense, but it could still happen.

[@margo3367]

@@DM-lc2cf You’re a little bit crazy when you’re in love, that’s true.

[@DM-lc2cf]

@@margo3367 Hopefully educate people, before they "fall in love" on the internet....Knowledge can possibly prevent the heartache.

[@ztomas1]

Here's some hints - if the person uses bad grammar, asks "have you eaten today" or, "have you broken fast", asks for gift cards, tries to get you to talk on Whatsapp, these people are scammers....run away

[@phangirl90]

Also if they say they’re “working” in Syria or another part of Africa, they’re scammers.

[@rumblefish9]

If he calls you "Queen"

[@lindaslattery8341]

STAY OFF OF DATING WEBSITES AND APPS!!!

[@HighValueMaxedOutGigaSigmaMale]

Damn why you gotta yell😱😨😰😓

[@ladyjefeKAY]

AND DATE IN PERSON!!! Not social media, dating apps just screams “ I’m desperate!”

[@doingbettereveryday]

@@HighValueMaxedOutGigaSigmaMale SHES NOT YELLING! SHE IS SPEAKING STRONGLY AND ASSERTIVELY.

[@bobbobertson7568]

I am not that desperate for another human being to stink up my bathroom or adversely affect my sleep

[@user-hx7mi7ml8u]

Yeah, because you already do those things yourself…

[@luvlabso130]

Oh dear😅

[@TKOin2life]

You got that right.

[@sonyadrake7843]

This was on Inside Edition and she gave the Scammer(s) $1.7M probably her Daughter and Granddaughter Inheritance.

[@nay0916]

I don't believe for one minute and this woman was murdered. I firmly think she took her own life. She got in way over her head, and these scammers been known to tell people to take their own lives.

[@bilialeilan9038]

Clearly

[@happyhermit3141]

Agreed. She finally realized that she had been living a lie from the very start and was also broke.

[@jolyfrye1871]

If u r on a dating sight, and someone asks u 4 money....Immediately 🚫 block them. Move on to someone who is financially stable. Dont ever B someone's crutch.

[@paulyricca3881]

👴🏻🥃 WHY CANT I BE YOUR CRUTCH WHY?

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻WHY CANT I BE YOUR CRUTCH WHY?

[@TwisterTornado]

​@@paulyricca3881 Right. Let's not act like there aren't plenty of men, happy to purchase female companionship. Even if that's a trophy wife.

[@nghtwtchmn129]

Frequently the scammers ask for someone ELSE. A relative who need surgery while their own bank account is somehow locked up, for example.

[@ccmcaul8860]

DUH.

[@ZoraDelaney]

Thirstiness, desperation for (romantic) validation, and GREED enable folks to lose common sense......

[@EnronnSierra]

Not even a Facetime call?

[@JillWhitcomb1966]

Exactly. There is nothing wrong with meeting people from the Internet (I've done it dozens of times). But that is after hours upon hours of video phone calls to verify they are who they say they are.

[@shamecamcfadden815]

They need to take down all of these dating sites. Any time someone doesn’t meet with you in person when other people are around, they are not real. You have to be so careful in this wicked world. People do anything for money.

[@U-TubeAddict]

These scammers are everywhere though. I get weekly fake profile connection requests on LinkedIn of all places

[@tonyamade901]

Dating apps are filling the introduction gap that used to be filled by community and matchmakers in some cultures. Yes there are stories like this, but there are way more couples who’ve found success and met and married from an online connection. 🤷🏽‍♀️ If someone asks you for money, that’s your sign they are not for you. Period.💯🤷🏽‍♀️

[@hydrangeas_lover]

​@@tonyamade901absolutely

[@SNW8191]

You have to meet people in person. They can fake video they can fake pictures. Meet in person in one week or move on. I was on Match and POF never got scammed because I don't talk to people who wont meet. Meet in person, in a public place within 1 week or block. If they won't meet they're scammers or catfish.

[@sonyadrake7843]

I don't like having to pay for plastic bags for my purchased items, so there's no way in 🤬 you're getting ANY💰 from me EVER! 👿

[@JillWhitcomb1966]

Good luck if you ever travel or move elsewhere then. In places like Hawaii, Canada, Spain, Wales, Scotland, England, Italy, Australia, and India.... if you don't bring your own shopping bags to the store, and you need a plastic bag, they will charge you 10 to 15 cents (or the equivalent) per bag. It's not just grocery stores, either. If you buy toilet paper in Canada, shoes in England, or a coffee pot in India....they will still charge you for that plastic bag if you need a bag.

[@sonyadrake7843]

@@JillWhitcomb1966 Thanks for the info., I'll be prepared for bringing my travel totes when vacationing in Hawaii 😏

[@Javy_Valen_Tain]

Falling in love has never been so dangerous!

[@DM-lc2cf]

Not much different than the mind games that cults, abusive relationships etc use to manipulate people. Don't shame people, this can happen to just about anyone, particularly if they are at very venerable, sad, low time in their life.

[@newchangenewlife]

Thank you for saying this. People are quick to judge and talk about people in these situations, re-victimizing them and making them feel even worse. It's not as simple as they think.

[@georgecuster527]

These stories always make me feel smart . Thanks CBS morning .

[@nghtwtchmn129]

Big time scammers typically target SMART people. Stupid people usually don't have much money.

[@hydrangeas_lover]

Lol same

[@nghtwtchmn129]

I sometimes watch those "People's Court"-type reality shows when I need a reminder that I'm not doing so badly in life.

[@ccmcaul8860]

Honestly. How can ppl be this gullible? It's just difficult to wrap my head around. 1.5 million dollars??

[@jjones3566]

Pain and longing can make people very gullible. She was a widow.

[@bilialeilan9038]

How in the hell can you give your life savings to someone you never met before? These dumb romance scams I will never understand. It is always the same demographic time after time.

[@hydrangeas_lover]

Yup. It is super prevalent in the UK for some reason.

[@Unclejojo330]

Sad that these people exist and prey off people 😢

[@paulyricca3881]

🦍⬅️ YOU?

[@askew9976]

I was in it in real life. I knew it was happening, but it didn’t hurt too much right away. Small dollar amounts at a time, over a few years added up to double digit thousands. That’s the worst, it happens slowly…one day you wake up and realize…you’re “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” to survive. 😢And…you aren’t even in a relationship, it’s a situationship. I’m in therapy, learning to love myself and not get caught up in needing another persons attention.

[@annamillar4794]

Question of the day. If its a money making scam how did you not make money on bobby Lees podcast 4 weeks ago? You make money when your humiliate me because its cruelty from a cruel loser who is ultimately ultimately ULTIMATELY jealous of me. It if its MONEY making scam, HOW DID YOU MAKE ZERO DOLLARS ON BOBBYS PODCAST LITERALLY A MONTH AGO? Lilleys the same model.

[@paulyricca3881]

@@askew9976👴🏻🥃 AWW SHUT UP.

[@chiefrcker]

People are so stupid to send someone they never even met so much money, sometimes even their entire life savings. How can you not see the red flags? When someone you have never met asks you for money, that is the biggest red flag.

[@dlight9849]

Zero sympathy for people with zero common sense. Desperately seeking random strangers online for love and attention because you can't handle being by yourself speaks volumes about one's own self-esteem. The best thing people (who feel lonely) can do is volunteer to help others and/or seek God -- not seek a random man to make you happy.

[@lmb4876]

I am middle age…not lonely..not looking for love..have friends & read books..sorry, don’t need a man ( been there & done it once)

[@MJ-fj9yv]

So everyone should be like you?

[@lmb4876]

@@MJ-fj9yv Only if they want to be happy & not vulnerable to scams!

[@cynthiahicks1909]

I HEAR YA sister.

[@JillWhitcomb1966]

Gayle, I love your dress! It looks amazing on you!

[@ztomas1]

These people are so desperate for companionship that they will believe anything

[@BlackandBlessed100]

Be careful dating Love yourself More❤️

[@MegTelevised]

I don’t even speed because I ain’t giving cops free money…

[@ladyjefeKAY]

I love this 😂🙌🏾

[@micheleboyle3547]

I don’t understand why the dating sites are not shut down…the government is getting rid of TikTok but not something that is much more evil….😈 and besides people can’t get it through their heads that giving money to strangers is not love…..😮

[@U-TubeAddict]

Because they believe TikTok is related to China, these online dating sites are not

[@Prettygirlvita]

This should be common sense

[@bilialeilan9038]

You would think so.

[@geneortiz5297]

I was almost duped by 2 scammers 11 years ago. One said he sent me a package of Victoria's Secret lingerie. Blocked him after that. The other said he will fly to Malaysia to claim money from a petroleum company his late father used to work for. I smelled SCAM and blocked him as well. These people are evil. Pure evil.

[@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453]

If I haven't met after 1-2 weeks, delete

[@bobbobertson7568]

Exactly. Even if theyre not a outright scammer they're wasting your time which IS worth something.

[@svenlundergard1]

There are more than "Online OR at a bar" choices to find a partner. Joining clubs, joining a gym, dance classes, volunteer organizations, lectures, church, Toastmasters, Lions, Elks, Hiking clubs, meetup clubs. The unfortunate truth though is NOT ENOUGH MEN ENGAGE IN THESE ACTIVITIES AND WOMEN ARE LEFT TO RESORT TO THESE ONLINE SITES. COMON GUYS, GET OUT THERE!! LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!

[@MegTelevised]

I’m a Toastmaster❤

[@mindfullymellow2323]

The truth is many middle aged+ men are used to having a woman run his life - making a home, running his social life, making his appointments for him…list goes on. When wife dies or bails (gray divorce), he’s like a lost lamb unsure of what to do next. Men typically don’t have support systems like women do.

[@SarahRenz59]

@@MegTelevised I'm a former Toastmaster who's thinking of returning as I can always stand to brush up my communication skills. Even if you don't find romance at clubs and activities, you can at least make some friends and stay busy, which helps stave off the loneliness.

[@mindfulbynature3418]

It’s also done on FACEBOOK BIGTIME!

[@marylusung8470]

And Instagram.

[@margo3367]

I thought she didn’t talk to him on the phone. Just text messages.

[@askew9976]

“Everybody’s so creative.”

[@pejisan]

hard to grasp so much naïveté

[@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453]

all the AI doesn't matter if you know the script. No "woo-ing" ok n Gayle. The frame-up has happened to me so many times that I got used to the script. I tried to turn it around and pretend that I was trying to get cash from him, that I was one of the scammers working in his group (Ghana) and he totally snapped like you'd expect a misogynist criminal to react. Like a huge tantrum.

[@sly5346]

How do you mix up those accents??

[@lindaslattery8341]

The report tells you how they do it.

[@happycook6737]

Some people really don't know accents!

[@ronbaker6000]

My mom is going thru a scam right now. Does anyone who's been thru it have advice?

[@Miriamalfie]

Awful, I fell for this same thing and they preyed on me heavily I reported to the right authorities, I reported to Novacyber.

[@Miriamalfie]

On Instagram

[@Miriamalfie]

They deal with such cases

[@happycook6737]

Get Adult protective services involved.

[@mathewmclean9128]

Power to the scammers. Keep up the Great work!

[@Media56109]

"Intelligent Westerners" ? Life lesson

[@Beth-zg6gb]

Unfortunately, I don’t think that it takes much “lurking in” these days. Folks get so desperately lonely, and innocently take others at face value. We tend to judge others by how decent and trustworthy we are ourselves, leaving the door open for bad actors to pry on good people.

[@user-zk2se5pw2h]

She claims shes a " Nursing Student " from GHANA 🇬🇭 ERICA BOATENG is her name !

[@teresa.tells.it.like.it.is.2]

Have a Trust set up with a co-trustee so that there is SOME oversight of your money or investments. Or have someone else check large withdrawals/transfers with you to make sure there is no scamming.

[@mildredpierce4506]

Why does this channel keep saying old things are new? Victims being made into money mules is not a new thing. A Canadian woman is in a Hong Kong prison right now because she got involved in a romance scammer, and she ended up an unwitting drug mule. The scammers sent her to Hong Kong, where she end up being arrested. She was not aware that. She was smuggling drugs. It was cocaine, and it had been made into buttons, and they were on the clothing that the scammer had given her.

[@theadrenalizedartist6843]

At this point, I think we all need to socialize more in person instead of online because none of this is worth it. It’s not worth someone being found deceased. It’s not worth people losing all their life savings.

[@teresa.tells.it.like.it.is.2]

Widows need to take financial and heart classes to survive.

[@samudramanthan8645]

Bucket lists are so empowering and authentic! I love walking in my truth, embracing my courageous journey of unprecedented loving kindness and bravery! Have you been to that new hidden gem? The food is to die for! Black Lives Matter!

[@redwoods7370]

If he calls you his queen, run away fast.

[@alluringintrovert2036]

Its sad how lonely people are out here. So sad.

[@lflood84]

Where can I watch this full investigation? It says it’s a year long.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

I wonder if the daughter did this to her mother to get her money, then killed her. Now playing up as a victim mourning her mother's mysterious death.

[@UrNameIsToby]

They look amazing in that dress😍😍🍼🍼 Ty, Gayle

[@UrNameIsToby]

I only wish she knew her abdomen is something to be appreciated as opposed to trying to cover it up

[@paulyricca3881]

@@UrNameIsToby 🥃👴🏻 SOOO HOWS YO MOTHER DOIN?

[@paulyricca3881]

@@UrNameIsToby 🥃👴🏻 VOTE FOR NIKKI SIXX IN 24.

[@syrsknight]

The scuzzy scammers search out those that are older, lonely, that have very little family or none at all. They know how to talk to their "mark" they listen closely to the things the person complains about, then they use the persons feelings against them. They do not care period. We gotta watch out for or elderly etc. Otherwise they stand no chance.

[@AngelaDubs-zi4vg]

Awful. This has happened to me also. Its awful. No its fear we are scared

[@bradleyfranke2300]

make me angry for fake (SCAMMERS) want romance you why? GHANA and other city want MONEY for food, cloth or whatever I hope victims want file sue to DOJ and FBI or whatever arrest scammers go up to 15 years scammers in prison need help not money. you must pay billion-tillion dollars back to victims family. Please apps protect

[@krimsonedit3272]

Or people can stop sending folks they never met money

[@paulyricca3881]

@@krimsonedit3272 👨🏻‍🦰IM EATING A HAMBURGER 🍔 🥃👴🏻 I WANT A SALAMI ON RYE WID A KOSHER PICKLE ON THE SIDE.

[@lindaslattery8341]

@@paulyricca3881🤡

[@leemarvin5738]

They're all scammers...

[@TKOin2life]

I just can't wrap my mind around giving my savings to anyone for anything. Desperation is a brain eating disease. Please just get a pet and some hobbies.

[@christopherwanamaker828]

Here's an idea shutdown all dating online platforms and force all Americans to go to public places to meet people the old fashioned way and this would no longer happen, problem solved! Also I have my own KZbin Channel under my Full-Name with the same profile picture as this post. I currently have 45 videos covering 25 different topic areas and my newest post is a "Scammer Warning Signs Awareness" video covering about 15 different types of major scams going on currently in America and the many different signs on how to not fall for them!

[@valeriebolton2607]

There us a lit if lonely people in the world. Sad.

[@gumby7919]

Seems like it is easy

[@TwisterTornado]

It was always easy to exploit people. You're just supposed to know better.

[@luvlabso130]

Cbs is trash

[@bobbobertson7568]

She must not have earned most or all of that $$ otherwise she would've valued it and not given it away so freely to an avatar she met on the interwebs. Men never let your wife manage the finances, even if you're dead

[@Juggernaut-fg2up]

I do not feel sorry for them at all, it's their own dumb fault

[@robertmzee1027]

Its always women 😂😂. They too slow

[@happycook6737]

A lot of men are suckered and scammed but they tend to hide it.

[@annamillar4794]

Literally. No it doesn't.

[@khan-fk8fe]

A bit of research should give you all the warning you need. There is agency h£lping a lot of p£ople having these issues to g£t their ass£ts b@ck. Apex chargeback are clearly underrated.

[@annamillar4794]

No it doesn't

[@khan-fk8fe]

A bit of research should give you all the warning you need. There is agency h£lping a lot of p£ople having these issues to g£t their ass£ts b@ck. Apex chargeback are clearly underrated.