“I Was Scammed Out of £50,000 By A Fake Lover I Met Online” | This Morning

Experts are warning of the rising threat of romance fraud after the scams rose by a staggering 22% last year. And our next guest knows just how dangerous they are - after losing her husband in 2019, Lyn joined an online group for widows, where she met a man called ‘Derek’. After telling her he’d been involved in an accident and needed money - Lyn transferred a total of £50,000 to him - her entire pension. She joins us to tell the shocking story, alongside Detective Victoria Hazlewood from Cheshire Police’s Fraud Unit.
Broadcast on 26/04/2024
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[@Sheenoshine]

We tell our kids not to talk to strangers …now we have to tell our parents and grandparents 😢

[@butterflyblessbless5836]

Communicating online is vulnerable for all ages.

[@thankthelord4536]

Good point.

[@hazeleyest9562]

Yesss straight facts!!

[@YeezyFly]

No truer word has been spoken.

[@muffycrosswire]

Romance scams didn’t start with the internet and if adults didn’t talk to strangers there’d be no more parents or grandparents

[@muffycrosswire]

“He asked for £200.. not enough to make alarms go off”.. £1 would make my alarm go off..

[@jacquelinemcquade9624]

If someone started wooing me online and then asked for money for a stamp I would block him. 😅

[@calilovebug3897]

Me too! Lol

[@colettegibson6516]

Too right, the price of stamps!

[@musingwanderer2765]

I will ask him for money cos I need transfer / processing fee before I can transfer 🤣🤣

[@lorenzospoto6660]

Why send money to someone youve never met

[@marknewton6984]

Never met? Are you kidding? Hahahaha😮

[@mildredpierce4506]

That’s the great question logically thinking people always ask.

[@mariamel-achram3138]

She was in love lol😂

[@dnjames9758]

How is she transferring him money if his account is frozen.. he wouldn’t be able to use it anyway😂

[@polycarp9897]

Typically through crypto or gift cards. They'll say that they have cryptocurrency accounts which are inaccessible to the authorities and can sell gift cards for cash.

[@bradley24076]

Or they'll tell the victim to transfer funds to a friends account so they can withdraw and give it to the scammer directly.

[@Mark-kh1ny]

I wouldn’t even give my ‘actual’ girlfriend of 19 years £50k. How does anyone convince themselves this is normal?!?

[@chasingthesun90]

If she's only your girlfriend after 19 years...

[@Mark-kh1ny]

@@chasingthesun90 😁 that’s as good as it gets. Neither of us are really into the whole institution of marriage.

[@tonypower7821]

was she living in a bubble ???? has she never heard of this happening to other women

[@NoOne-wt3sv]

She arrogantly and naively thought what most victims think, “it won’t happen to me because I’m smarter than that.”

[@Porch.monkey.slayer]

If she has to look for men online then….

[@aurora6920]

Just because you've heard of a scam doesn't mean you can't ever be manipulated into it. You can be in a bad mental health state, fall in love someone, then make the biggest mistake despite you've heard of these scams. It's manipulation and i'm surprised you've not heard of this in abusive relationships! Unless you think all victims of abuse are to blame 🙄

[@marknewton6984]

Airhead Alert! 😅

[@mrsminnatk3992]

DO NOT send any money to a stranger! And wrong- sending a little amount of money is a red-flag!!

[@annaclaire9927]

Never send money. It's that simple.

[@mildredpierce4506]

Scammers ask about whether or not you own your home so they know how much money they can steal from you.

[@selfridgesforever4399]

Sending money from her pension! I'm sorry but my sympathy is out of the window. Taking out loans for people she never met, Jesus wept!

[@CH-gc8hf]

That same thought crossed my mind. I had to put my hand over my mouth in shock after she said she took out a 50-thousand-dollar loan for him after already giving him 50 grand previous. Whoa!

[@paulgray757]

Some people are so desperate for love they will do anything just to be loved.

[@marylynch951]

Sadly but true

[@samuelgalea7679]

I think he said he’d pay back

[@jewelssunsun9450]

@@samuelgalea7679 they all say that, apparently.

[@marknewton6984]

Evan pay for it!😮

[@joeycarter2678]

Well, you’ve got to be really clueless to not know this was a scam.

[@mazda2038]

Glad im poor

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

Same here. I am a scammers worst nightmare 😂I am always overdrawn with a cap on the overdraft.

[@hollylouge9267]

😂

[@karolinaxyz3790]

😂😂

[@koelkastridder3388]

In Dutch we have a saying which rougly goes: you can't pluck the feathers from a bald chicken 😂

[@Themis33]

😂😂😂​@@koelkastridder3388

[@user-et6xp9px9h]

I was scammed of £30 and that hurt, but I quickly caught on to what was happening. I can't imagine how she feels losing £50,000 poor woman.

[@bevturner2258]

Her bank gave her back that money.

[@ovingtonful]

One of the very few lucky ones to get her money back. I’ve watching these scammer scenarios on different forms for three years now because it happened to 2 elderly women I knew plus my sister was a likely candidate to get scammed. I can see that the victim hardly ever sees a penny back once it’s gone out of their bank account. So she is lucky in that sense, but I’m sorry that she had to go through the emotional trauma x

[@user-ew7xg5kp6i]

She got her money back from the bank. In America, victims are more vulnerable and besides having a police report filed and submitted a fraud report to FCC. Nothing else could be done and most likely victims can't get her money back because most of the scammer are very hard to locate them from overseas such as Nigeria.

[@mildredpierce4506]

Scammers usually ask for a small amount at the beginning as commitment money. They know once you send a small amount, you’re willing to send more. What’s that small amount received, the victim is labeled as a paying client.

[@Bailey1971]

Remember Meatloaf’s wise words when being asked for money by a stranger “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I won’t Do That)” 👍🏻

[@mildredpierce4506]

How can you know someone’s personality if you have never met them in person?

[@paulinetaylor5536]

As soon as they mention money, that would be a 'get lost' from me.

[@JohnSmith-ie1tu]

How the bank can give back £50k just like that? She chose to give her money away, it's not the banks fault.

[@bienemaja2876]

The bank can fetch back the payment within 24 hours. They did not do it for charity!

[@Harley-ir4er]

Even if she had met this Guy in person, Asking for money is a red flag. But she didn't even meet this Guy - Speechless. She was clearly very clever at getting her money back but not so clever when giving it out.

[@hollylouge9267]

He had a nice smile! 😳 £50,000!

[@maryegan]

😆😆😆

[@reader-mx9ss]

😂😂

[@reader-mx9ss]

😂😂

[@user-ke8wr7jp2d]

I bet he did,he can now pay the best dentist 😅😅

[@marknewton6984]

Worth that much? Haha😮

[@StueyTheWiz]

Ive seen so many of these stories now that i just don't have sympathy for these people anymore

[@LilFoxyCosplay]

Honestly understandable

[@mildredpierce4506]

I bet that was her husband‘s money. I believe that is why these widows are so frivolous with the money their husbands left them. They did not have to work for it themselves. They do not value the money at all.

[@cre8152]

It’s her fault, she was trying to buy someone’s love.

[@angelaM-wv9xe]

The husband must be turning in his grave.

[@soysaucegirl2007]

Absolutely astonished she got her money back. Very lucky, as I assumed she would be blamed for transferring cash to a man she didn't even have a video chat with.

[@chockycake1]

When will women learn .. as soon as they ask for money it should be a red flag moment !

[@Lambandpotatocurry]

But they emotionally attached

[@Barbara-yj5tl]

@@LambandpotatocurryThey never met…that’s not emotionally attached!

[@nd7289]

​@@Barbara-yj5tl you can be emotionally attached to a fantasy

[@Barbara-yj5tl]

@@nd7289 oh good grief!

[@devorarossi961]

Men do these too and a lot but they don’t talk about it.

[@user-xf7kc8cp4x]

He said he was going to pay her back 'with interest'. If this was the case they why was he 'borrowing' money from her in the first instance? That should have been a red flag to her.

[@Cheeky-FE-Kerry]

Red Flags the person online is a scammer: - Widower - wife died in an accident or of cancer - Has one child who doesn’t live with him, sometimes in boarding school - Lives in one place e.g. US, but is “from” somewhere else e.g. Norway, currently working in a third location e.g. Syria. - Has W. African accent and not one from any place they have resided - Job is “Orthopaedic Surgeon Doctor”, “Drilling Engineer on an oil rig” “Military General” or “Precious Metals Trader”. Knows very little about their supposed profession if questioned - Keeps asking “What are you doing now” “Have you Eaten” “What is your favourite colour” and other banal questions. Doesn’t read your responses - Will not video chat - Tells you he loves you and love bombs before ever meeting and indeed before video chatting - Types “Alaye” at some stage during your chat. Alaye is a Nigerian word and is used to test if the person they are chatting to is also a Nigerian scammer. - Asks for money - any number of excuses, such as bank account frozen, money to pay to apply for annual leave, taxes etc.

[@redwoods7370]

Also refers to the victim as his “Queen.”

[@doreenbalwantsingh2363]

You are absolutely correct...I herd it many times ...wife die in an accident or of cancer....then they are on business trip, where they got robbed of everything...now they are on the street. They can't pay their hotel or food...first thing I said to them, call your friends or relatives .or business partners to help you..NOT ME.!

[@doreenbalwantsingh2363]

Some of their messages doesn't even make sense , as if they are just forwarding the same message to everyone example...( I know you are mine the very first time I saw you) See me where ?? I lived in south America...he in UK he said...but his phone code was from Uganda 😊😊😊

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

Once had a colleague in a large office i worked in years ago. She would go around asking everyone if she could borrow £20. She never paid any of it back. She had some amazing excuses to not pay it back. Thats a scam in itself😮

[@Porch.monkey.slayer]

Yes like if there are 15 people ! Thats a lot of loot 💰

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

@@Porch.monkey.slayer Yeh and a guy in our team loaned her £30 he asked her twice for it back. She had some amazing excuses! One was she had the £30 just taken out of the atm when she must have walked out and left it there or it fell out of her hand she could not remember which one. I think she used an excuse that she was getting it out but was so overdrawn etc

[@AK-xj2di]

​@endlessglizzys_.0233 Sounds like my ex lol may be that's his sister

[@Sophiaandersson6077]

I would never send money to someone i dont know or have ever met when will ppl learn it have been so much in the news about this by now

[@Roxemari1]

I agree with you.

[@doreenbalwantsingh2363]

Don't you have children and grandchildren to spend time with instead of these scammers...are you so desperate for a man in your life ???

[@Challenger2A7]

You're right but I think there's a large amount of vanity involved. Do they think "Somebody so gorgeous as me shouldn't be without a man!"? Even when they have a family it seems these daft women can't survive without a man. But of course an ordinary decent local man would never do.

[@snsn7251]

Too old for such nonsense. Never be desperate for anything. These people smell you amile off.

[@WakandaBabe]

I'm sorry, I can't feel sorry for these people anymore. Information about these scams are all over the internet. The same scam, over and over again. If they ask for money, don't send any. That simple.

[@mj3026]

She is one lucky lady to get her money back because every single one I’ve watched online on catfish they all lost their money & houses & some even ended up homeless because of it

[@keinusername6855]

How do people even have 50k inthe bank??

[@ssectorlap]

It’s called saving up money

[@joannedibben2352]

​@@censoredperson101-ds1jzyes your spot on people who have to scivy hard for there money wouldn't hand it over so quick I know I wouldnt😂

[@catpuccino6186]

And some women take out loans 💀

[@Herman992113]

She took out a loan

[@katcampbell9213]

@@ssectorlapOh my goodness! So grateful to know this ! Right I’m off to save 50k with this new found info 💪 just save the money 💰 Of course!!!! Why doesn’t everyone think of this simple solution to their money woes 🤦🏻‍♀️ Simples.

[@maxfitnesstraining1585]

She's not the first and won't be the last... loneliness is a terrible thing.

[@ainemurray8250]

Why give him money

[@monikanf1184]

I gave my husband a whole child but I wouldn't give him 50k lol

[@joeycarter2678]

As granny used to say ‘a fool and their money are soon parted’. When a person you’ve never seen, met or actually even know starts asking for money it’s a scam. There can’t be 12 people left on the planet at this point that doesn’t know this.

[@RacieRain]

The title should say I handed over $50,000 to a stranger, that turned out to also be a scammer. You weren't scammed. You did it voluntarily.

[@franceeilers2339]

I have lent money to men who I did know and my family, and they never paid me back. I learned real quickly that when someone begs for money, it’s not a loan. It’s a Gift. If these panhandlers have serious intentions in repaying you, direct them to the BANK. It’s not against the law to ask someone for money. Was at Costco and the cashier asked if I wanted to give a donation to Children’s Hospital when the CEO makes over 5.1 million dollars annually. Pleading poverty is Not against the law.

[@f7e8t9i3]

Sorry but I don’t feel sorry for these women. First red flag is that you’ve never met him. Why even give him 1 cent. You don’t even remotely know what he even looks like ( he is only a voice on the other end of the phone). Second red flag he mentions being responsible for injured employees. Does he not have insurance? He’s known you for 6 weeks and he asks you for money? I wouldn’t lend my boyfriend $200 and I’ve known him for years. The reason being is that he is fully independent and would never ask me for a dime. If a man really respects and loves you he will never ask you for a dollar even.

[@rachelsimpson4081]

no sympathy. Why, just why would you do it?

[@lolaaaaaaaaaaaa]

If it isn’t the consequences of her own actions

[@andrewg3611]

Sounds thick!

[@qb-h792]

They need to make a PSA, because it’s ridiculous how many older people in this country, who are getting scammed by unsophisticated, text book scams.

[@lindsayshea]

I really don’t get how people are so naive…this is such a common story…denial is STRONG

[@Challenger2A7]

Desperation, gullibility, vanity, and no, they didn't "build a bond". I wish the interviewers wouldn't encourage the belief that there's some sort of relationship happening. She's never met him. She doesn't know him, he doesn't know her. You can't fall in love with someone you've never even met. But one easy rule to remember is just do not send money to anyone.

[@56D35V]

She looks like Lorraine

[@cultfiction3865]

They are victims of their own foolishness not victims of anyone else

[@gillmiller3702]

Many are vulnerable and are groomed by the scammers. There has been so much publicity about these scams you would think more people would be aware though.

[@cultfiction3865]

@@gillmiller3702 Yeah they lose all reason once they have been swept off their feet. But something must be wrong with them on some level, because they are prepared to believe that their lover can manage to travel all over the world and has millions of pounds worth of pure gold bars, yet getting hold of a device that can make a video call is beyond them. It requires a very intellectually dim person to not see the BS in that

[@LS-fp2gv]

This seems to happen to many women who married their first love and led a very sheltered life and are looking for that support again.

[@Henry-Ludlow]

What a truly, lovely woman! My heart soared, when I heard that she’d got her money back and was now able to get on with rebuilding her life again. Bless you sweetheart, may your life now be filled with happiness and contentment. ♥️

[@bienemaja2876]

You are talking like you were the next scammer. 😂

[@Henry-Ludlow]

@@bienemaja2876 No, we’re not all like 🫵

[@Themis33]

"In hind side" 👀🤔😆

[@peacefulpath222]

These vulnerable people are being led by their emotions & not applying critical thinking. If a grown man asked to borrow ANY money that would be a red flag to me. And no we don’t all meet people online as Alison suggests 🙄

[@themaxandlucyshow7590]

The only person to blame is her gullible self. If she couldn't pick up on red flags she has no common sense whatsoever

[@blackdiamond7870]

When will these people learn don't send money to people you never met. You don't know these people . Don't let them play on your heart. How do you love a voice on a phone

[@mariewalmsley6143]

The more charismatic the more they have to hide.

[@juliaparker4212]

Her own fault.. she fell for it..

[@lauraanderson2429]

How could these people send money they don’t have?

[@Fizzifil]

Facetime, meet in person and NEVER send even one penny

[@samanthalake5011]

Nooooooo not the pension!!! 😮

[@jokerdanny9255]

How many times are you going to do this story. It's their own fault.

[@jennynott3841]

Couldn’t agree more

[@Anon00008]

But this keeps happening and the government isn’t warning the public to stop doing it so left to these shows to raise awareness

[@arnicepernice8656]

@@Anon00008sorry but why should the government warn people. This is simply not sensible and common sense should prevail she is an adult maybe a gullible one, if she is vulnerable due to some illness then that is another matter

[@ashleighwilkinson3174]

Totally agree

[@beckenham2020]

This is an older generation. Not had Internet like us younger. It's a new to them. See things as factual, and use it differently. She probably spent years with the same partner, her husband. So somebody new giving attention and having someone to talk to when feeling alone.

[@Maverick-re3zp]

Lorraine Kelly 😂😂

[@lynnedavies5884]

Susan Boyle 😂😂😂

[@lyndkent-cl2oe]

Hang on....so how did they know how/why/whom was scamming Lyn?...if they didn't "catch" him?

[@yourfuturewaifu9061]

Possibly tracing the IP address. That's a common one I see.

[@JaJ-uh6ig]

There are enough of these accounts out there now that every person should be wary. Many of the “ victims” refuse to listen to their children, relatives or friends who are suspicious. Be knowledgeable about anyone stranger on the internet. Many, or most don’t have the best of attentions , especially when they ask for very personal financial information. But because of how many of these accounts are publicized, these victims are being very foolish to not do their due diligence.

[@mahmudakhanom2349]

Even the banks give warning before u give money to anyone

[@ginaanelli9717]

Same story..frozen bank account, no food, paying his employees..ALL LIES..all common! Glad I’m poor! These scammers are mostly from Lagos, Nigeria

[@xlkarma8446]

😂 her fault 100%

[@141Lav]

How many times 😮😮😮

[@missrubyred1515]

This is ridiculous. Why would his hotel bills be £50k? Where was he staying, the Ritz? Also it should be a big red flag that his bank account is frozen cus that’s an extreme measure in itself. She really was dumb and blindsided. Doesn’t sound like the bloke was caught either. He’s still got the £50k right

[@jesuswalkers]

I think this woman might have been on BGT or X factor, she is so like a past contestant?? But she is also really silly for sending so much money to a stranger. I mean 50K that is a lot of money…………

[@carolokbrblol]

Once money is mentioned. It's a CON. she needs to undertake some work on healthy relationships. Listening to her this is an old, old scam. Warnings everywhere.

[@jerryfacts9749]

If you meet someone never trust them till you can actually meet them and verify them. Best to meet them and their family. Make them think you don't have much money, and are not able to give them any. If they are a Scammer they will quickly disappear! Before having any trust you should visit them, meet their family, and see how the live. Until things become sincere over time never trust them! Long distance relationships can be complex and heart breaking. Best to find someone locally, and especially who is part of your community.

[@rachellewis9251]

This is a soulless crime and I don't believe in victim blaming These scammers are evil professionals prey on trusting people and wreck their lives Even fake companies do it and people pretending to be the bank this lady is so lucky to get her money back

[@lindsayshea]

I wouldn’t give my family or best friends my life savings….but giving a stranger & someone I’ve never even met is INSANE

[@anneroarty6473]

I was approached by a scammer and yes he asked me had I got my own home. Within four text messages he asked me for "400 pounds. I spoke to my sister and she said he is a scammer they tell you the same sad story all the time. I told him he was a scammer and he sent me a picture he was Nigerian or African. The first picture was of a man on the oil rigs. I told him I would get i touch with police blocked him he got no money from me.

[@itzCazW]

I scammed a scammer pretending to be my fave youtuber, who wanted me £3000 to have a zoom meeting and I kept promising him to buy him internet data, but knew i never would, he got very cross when i said he wasn't who he saidhe was, he was the Gullible one

[@user-fd2ix9uq1k]

No sympathy

[@insan4508]

How did the bank refund you if Derek got the money that you sent. The bank would say it is your fault how did the bank pay you back back

[@tasha_thats_me]

Its 2024 and these stories are still popping up on my feed how are people still falling for this i don't even give a guy my phone number till i've met him in person i expect this from someone very old who maybe struggling with dementia or something but people like this really gotta wise up your making me root for the scammers

[@fionakiely3505]

I’ll barely send my husband a tenner.

[@privatecom22]

How can you love and send money to someone you've never meant. Price for ignorance. Deal with it.

[@schawnettarobinson8584]

She could’ve given this money to her kids and/ or nieces/ nephews.

[@Debs785]

50 grand, it was obviously money she you afford to loose.

[@marknewton6984]

Probably not her money.😮

[@siemprelola4279]

After 4 weeks he asked for money and she gave it to him? 😮 Some people shouldn’t be allowed to make decisions on their own.

[@thankthelord4536]

If he's not my husband, he can kick rocks.

[@neskarraksen]

Im glad she mentioned men as well. Women usually tend not to care about men in any regard

[@tuula9857]

This problem is spreading, but why? Why people are so lonely, hungry for love, at far as what ever "it cost".

[@jewelssunsun9450]

I'm starting to wonder if these stories are made up for tv.

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

To fill the slots, they could just be actors that go on.

[@sy_dianne5224]

Nah, these things happen on a daily basis

[@marknewton6984]

Hard to believe.😅

[@mildredpierce4506]

No, these things are not made up. There are some very naïve gullible people out there. My sister used to work for a widow who got scammed of her life savings. These things do happen. Just like with most victims, family and friends warned her, but she did not believe them.

[@jewelssunsun9450]

@mildredpierce4506 I know that they do happen. What I am still surprised at is how many women are still falling for it, despite all the publicity, hence why I thought they could now be being made up for TV.

[@christinegoodfellow5323]

They didn’t ask her about the moment she found out it was all a scam!

[@MariaXLouisa]

They didn't ask her why she didn't fly to Dubai to check it out herself. Or why she didn't ask her bank to check the "frozen account" story. And what about the alledged son in America. P*** poor interviewing. I could do better.

[@kelleyspartiatis4776]

It was so soon after her husband died that she felt embarrassed. Oh well...

[@margopaton3240]

She wasn't scammed out of 50 thousand.For Pete's sake, at what point does the penny not drop. That's crazy.

[@timetraveller2503]

If a man claims to be as successful as he said he was, with his son running a company in America, I would get nervous if he asked for cash...but being lonely and a widow I suppose you get caught up in the "high" of a new romance😢

[@addiasfan2279]

I don’t like victim blaming but I wouldn’t even give a friend £20 unless they proved they really needed it.

[@jennifermae134]

That’s pretty tight lol.

[@user-sv1lp6ex2i]

Surprised you've got any friends - lol

[@addiasfan2279]

@@user-sv1lp6ex2i for having boundaries? The right people respect them, users don’t.

[@marylynch951]

Same here

[@Lambandpotatocurry]

Mate £2

[@tycobb2580]

06:30 ?huh? Ask them lots of questions? Naw, block them!

[@patriciajohnson6434]

If this happened to you in 2022, 2023 or 24 I have no sympathy for you! 5:49 There have been so many stories about this since about 2018, on Dr Phil, and all over the news channels. Do these women only watch soaps?

[@amanda90]

Same story with all the scam

[@ImJustGoingToSay.....]

Dry your eyes, if you had too much money you should have give it to your family or the homeless, not some randomer on social media 🙄

[@joannaapplewhite559]

Avoid bad people...stay poor 😂