Anything for Love: Inside the Romance Scam Epidemic | CBS Reports
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- Опубликовано: 27 апр 2024
- Romance scammers drain billions of dollars from people seeking love, and their tactics have evolved in sinister ways in the online age. CBS News goes inside this devastating epidemic unfolding largely in secret, following the journey of an Illinois woman seeking answers after her mother’s mysterious death. Watch more CBS Reports documentaries that dive into the key issues driving the national and global conversation at cbsnews.com/cbs-reports
#news #scams #documentary
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At 55 yrs old its safer to get a dog and find hobbies, then try and look for a husband or wife. It's ok to be single. Its peaceful
Friend, at 55yo you’ve got so much life ahead of you. I don’t know your health but it’s possible that you could easily live another 50 years. The dog & hobbies are a great idea but love with someone in your age range is still possible. ❤
After a certain age, it's impossible to meet decent, available men. The good ones are taken. But it could certainly happen!
@@denisedaniel9010 not true. Decent older men think exactly the same about finding decent women. It's a contact issue, there are not many avenues to find each other, especially since what we are talking about is only really confirmed after some length of time that is most likely longer than the amount of patience we allow ourselves for this in modern times.
At any age these days it’s safer to keep to ourselves!
Dating is seriously dangerous and with these apps it has gotten worse!!!
It's not just about getting married... People need people. We get lonely and yearn for companionship. The driving force behind most people is finding love....true love. The human condition is always searching for it... 😢
At 55 you are not d3ad😅
My heart goes out to the victim's daughter. I suspect it was suicide, but never would have happened without the scammers doing what they did to her.
Absolutely 💯
You don’t drown by suicide. Not like she did
This is suspect
@@maryjane4432 absolutely you can in a river that big. If she just walked in and then let the river take her. That river is very big and deep.
Yes she was probably ashamed and afraid after the call from the FBI the day before and knew she messed up. She would've probably been facing charges like the other woman they talked to that helped scammers. I don't know why anyone chooses death as a way out though. I could never do that to my family no matter how bad thing became.
This is absolutely horrible. It happened to my elderly (81) neighbor. She met the con man at church! They meet these creeps at church too!!!! She lost a lot of her retirement money and her health. I never see her anymore due to her poor health and the shame she feels.
Tbf there’s lots of creeps at church.
There are lots of creeps around the elderly and churches
This is so sad ... Is she still your neighbor? I think it might be a nice gesture to make her some home cooked meal and a little note at her doorstep. I'm sure she probably needs to feel that someone cares about her... Just an idea ❤
I was going to say this as well. I think it would mean the world to that lady. She needs friends.
@@adriana27100
Everyone keeps saying in these comments “I would never”, “I’d get a dog”, “sad a woman can’t live without a man”… shame on you. You don’t have the right to disparage this woman. Some people cope well with loneliness, some do not. She had a dog and they said she was always with her. A dog though a wonderful companion doesn’t replace human communication and compassion. Those of you commenting negatively? I hope if anything horrific happens to you the comment section on your story isn’t full of victim shaming and vitriol.
People are so lonely and broken mentally… they are a prime target for these scams.
everyone has anxiety & loneliness--- the issue is getting addicted w online flirting- is' a dopamine combo of attraction & gambling
Both are good points
Exactly ❤❤❤: People are really so lonely. They are looking for love. They are so desperate.
It seems like having children would be enough to fulfill your life. But I guess not.
@@schawnettarobinson8584 why is it desperate to look for love? just curious.
Loneliness is literally killing us and so many are taking advantage. Gosh! I wish I could show every lonely person how to tap into love
I'm upper 60's, widowed, I have accepted that "romance" is probably something in my past. I have other relationships now, friendships, volunteering. At my age single women outnumber single men about 5 to 1. If someone started flattering me and "falling in love" (esp. online) I would be very (VERY) skeptical. And if they were overseas, not in my town - "call me when you're in my area."
Women who feel like they have to be in a romantic, hearts and flowers relationship until the day they die, are not being realistic, and are easily scammed.
You go! That's exactly the right place to put the energy 👏
Agree - There are so many ways to make social connections and to have significance in this life besides dating.
I am 67 years old and it is good that you have accepted “romance is probably something in your past”. I was there. I had just finished a narcissistic “situationship”. My background? I was a widow married for 30 years, been with the same man for over 35 years. It was the start of Covid and I was desperate for companionship. After that “situationship” with the narcissistic, I became lonely again and joined Match. I was adamant that I would not fall in love. In Match, a man caught my attention whose was also a widower. He spoke of the homes and money he had to provide to a woman. I thought to myself, this guy is going to get scammed! I felt very protective of him but I had no attraction to him whatsoever. And, by the way, I have my own home and funds so I was not in need of “saving”. We started corresponding and lo and behold, (almost) three years later, we are in love and having the best time of our lives. He’s a good guy and is not broke! And, he brings me flowers!! Don’t lose hope. They are out there. Just be patient and continue to walk away from those who do not deserve your love and attention! My friend found love at 79 with a wonderful fellow!!
It's not a matter of what these lonely people THINK, as you say. It has to do with what they FEEL. They do not have strong emotional networks, to help support them through the loss of a spouse, etc. I wish that Laura had not relocated so soon after her husband's death. That left her without a strong emotional support network built up yet, in a brand new location, and made her vulnerable to these romance scammers, for a sense of connection.
Dont idealize relationships. When you fulfill yourself, you know your worth and have strong boundaries. You learn to respect those same aspects in others and you see through their weakness and BS.
That veteran lady was in the same situation as her mother, just on a different part of the timetable of the scam.
Why doesn't the social media platforms say where these people are ACTUALLY from? And make it so that they can't fake their location!
There is software available for anyone to use to do this.
@@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64 Oh! It just figures! 😭
Exactly. They should make it so the cannot make an account without a verified phone number that shows the true location or something like that. I know they have programs to change your ip location and stuff so that would probably get around it, but with the technology today you would think they could come up with a way to make people verify where and who they are before making an account
they make money from the number of users subscribed. If they acted more honestly they wouldn't be able to attract the investment and advertisements that make them the billionaires we celebrate. At the end of the day money is more important to them than the safety of their users. We celebrate them for their money regardless how they make it.
@@Boahemaa Interesting insight! ☺️😔
People still believe that everyone is born basically good despite all the news to the contrary.
yes, I call it delusional denial. the level of denialism is so dangerous and it's definitely a result of our congress failing to laws with teeth for oversight of social media
So you're saying we're born bad? Be careful with that, it's just one step removed from making people think being bad is "being natural/normal"
Not really scammers Charms one,
It’s a bias most humans are born with. Makes sense since humans survived and thrived in societies. We don’t have claws, sharp teeth, or tough skin.
People are not born tabula rasa, but they sure are not born good or bad, either. Thinking some bad personality traits or actions are somehow inherent to humanity is quite a slippery slope, since people can then go one step further and excuse bad behavior as "natural" and "tragically human".
I lost the love of my life who I met at 14, and the hardest part is my phone never rings anymore. Brandon called me 30 times a day. He worked evenings and I worked days so he would make me coffee in the morning and go back to sleep and call when he woke up and when he drove to work and after each of his meetings and then I I would meet him for his lunch break. All the kids have lives of their own and this was supposed to be our time. All I have now is silence.
I'm so sorry. ❤
That's so sad 😢
Find the music…the hum of the universe…it’s everywhere and also in you. Attune to what feels harmonious to your own inner frequency…and follow that path. If you are here, you are important and needed…don’t leave this world with a song that might mean everything to those in your immediate orbit. But first, know and appreciate your own song…honor and respect that which is YOU. You are a miracle. Be well, beautiful soul. May you be comforted, nourished, encouraged and find strength as you grieve and heal…and if possible…express your sadness and your needs to safe individuals who love you and whom you love. Sending you love from the bottom of my heart right to wherever you are on this planet. 🙏🤍✨
I’m so sad for you. I know if I lost my wife, I would be lost. But I will tell you one thing I do even now is volunteer and try to expand my social group. I would recommend that you. If you don’t meet someone romantically you could end up meeting some really good friends. I encourage everyone to stay away from online stuff because that’s where they come for your money.
Me too.
It is virtually impossible to establish a relationship online or over the phone. You must relate to someone in person. Meeting in person and dating in person is still the best way to go.
I've just celebrated my 10th anniversary with my husband I met online. We are from different countries.
However! These officers were useless.
@cathrinekruger5499 Yes, a few couples do occasionally meet successfully online. But it's not common...
This is why I would never do online dating it's so dangerous you don't know who your talking to always be careful
I lost my soulmate of 40 yrs in 2021. I will never date again. I can never love another man. It's sad some women can't live without a man.
Same here - married 40 years until 2023. No more men for me.
I lost my husband of 35 yrs in 2022, I’m relatively “young” at 55 this year, but you couldn’t pay me to start dating. I’ve never loved any man besides my late husband and couldn’t even imagine being with someone else. Although it’s pretty lonely, I have my dog here with me and that’s just going to have to be enough for me.
@@teridoster5840 sorry for your loss. I totally agree with you. Also I could never be with another man. It wouldn't be fair to him. I would always be comparing my làte hubby to the new man. Couldn't love another man. Lonely at times but I know one day I will be with him.
@@teridoster5840 I was six months away from my 60th birthday when I lost my soulmate. Sorry for your loss. It never gets easier. Three years for me. Miss him more everyday.
@@sal1665 I’m sorry for your loss as well. I totally agree with you, and I don’t care how much time passes, if I were to ever go out with another man it would _feel_ like I’m cheating, and I could never live with myself feeling like that. My (ex?)stepmom (I don’t really know what to call her, lol, she divorced my dad almost 20 yrs ago after 30 yrs together) told me a couple weeks ago that I “need to go out and find a new man” bcuz it’s the best thing she ever did for herself (2 months after leaving my dad btw)… I told her she was nuts and that I didn’t hate my husband like she did, i actually loved mine deeply, so I wouldn’t be hopping into bed with the first man that gave me a second glance. She didn’t like that very much and we haven’t spoken since😅 but I was angry bcuz she knows me better than to suggest something so tone deaf
I would NEVER use dating sites! They are so dangerous!
They were relatively safe in the early onset ( early 2000’s), but then they eventually got infiltrated by scammers!
They are on all social media!
we all need to touch grass. online is not real.
They are everywhere; many find their victims on Facebook and Instagram as well.
"I would NEVER use dating sites! They are so dangerous!"
Stupid is dangerous. A lack of common sense is dangerous.
Wearing your heart on your sleeve is dangerous.
scammers have tried to get me also as I am less than 10 years younger than your mom. I am so sorry for your loss.
Did anyone ever call to confirm if a federal agent actually did call from the FBI to inquire about her mother possibly being involved in some kind of scam? The whole thing just seems odd to me. That person, claiming to be from the FBI could have been in on the scam and was maybe used as a scare tactic or something else along those lines. If that was the case then unfortunately, it scared her so bad that she felt the only way out was to take her own life.
That sounded fishy to me too. I would think the FBI would make at least INITIAL contact with someone in person, not through a phone call.
There us no way in HELL I'd believe the actual FBI was making initial contact with me. Nope.
I can see nobody will ever scam you. The FBI covers for criminals like the Clintons, Bushes and Obamas because if they take them down the whole government scam comes down. We are not safe here.
I was scammed myself on instagram 6 years ago and it hurt my mom so much. Now I’m off social media. I’m so sorry for your loss . I hope people this year can be careful . Cause scammers are bad news
glad you are off! some fall into a spin cycle
This is social media.
@@shananagar1601☠️🥴
How are you off social media but you’re here? Makes no sense
I still think the dating apps need to be found at fault and start dealing with multiple lawsuits and become bankrupt….I have been a potential victim from many years ago and the only reason I never sent money to this guy was because I was poor as a church mouse…and still am🤭 what’s sad is if her mom had just asked her daughter to take a look at things before any transactions had started this tragedy could have been avoided…her daughter is very loving and caring…❤
there needs to be a series of class action lawsuits! Some fo these sites are probably created by scammers too
Rather get a dog it's safe and the dog will love you with all it's heart
Literally.
That’s not the same, though. Humans seek other humans for touch, love, and companion. No dog can ever replace human touch, love and companion. Always been that way. With that logic, why not get a AI robot. You can program it to do whatever you want.
they would've been better off...love is a story fantasy...not reality...
Laura (the woman this news piece is about) literally had a dog. People who get dogs for companionship might even be more likely to fall for a romance scam!
Stay safe, people. Confide in your family or friends, don't keep love a secret from your loved ones!
Dog isn’t companionship. People want romance.
I was scammed and it is a horrible thing. There is so much shame and embarrassment.. these scammers are evil. I just thought that I was in an online relationship but as time went on and my family found out that things were really bad. I pray for this woman’s family.. and I pray for everyone else.. please be careful yall
They all say the same lies, they work overseas, very good looking, successful, with one or two young children, and they fall in love with you the moment they look at your picture. Through the years I've got at least 50-100 of these scammers, has never worked with me, I only do video chat or record their conversations to hear their accent, if they sound weird, I just block them. They still try it with me almost every day, I'm lonely but not desperate. Be careful out there mature women, they're looking for us on a daily basis, they need money, not love.😢😢
Don’t forget they’re also single parent, bc the kid’s other parent died from cancer or some other traumatic disease or incident 🤦♂️ 🤦♂️ just shameful.
I have 3 girl friends that's have lost a lot , my friend is 63 her mom broke her hip was in the hospital, she not only mail the checks out for her mom's bills. But she took 75,000 - put it into her investors = bit coin - kripto something , there passport always expires last minute no notice, there workers made mistakes on jobs, they were injured need money for medical care. Border patrol are holding them with a big box of cash. Always tons of boxes of cash. 😢
This is why I'm so confused as to how people fall for the scam. They're always on an oil rig, or in the military or on some secret, undercover mission, which is by design with the scammer. They know if someone falls for something that would be a HUGE red flag for most people, that person will be easy picking to fall for the scam.
If anyone messages you over the Internet or social media asking for money and it's not from a confirmed family member or friend, NEVER DO IT! Block them in every way possible so they cannot contact you and seek help. Even if it is a family member or friend, it's best to meet them in person if possible rather than wire money electronically.
I see posts like yours all the time. The problem is, the people who really need this message are NOT listening. Either they think it doesn't apply to them or they're just living under a rock somewhere.
It's like they're living in the land of delusion.
I am really sorry to hear this and thank you for sharing this story to others. Yes, your effort to share this WILL save someone's lives.
Bad enough with all the bank scammers.. Now love scammers.
Love scammers have been around for years and years
They have been around for years, just now more people are finding out about them.
I love my children more and attend mass regularly. I know I'm loved, and I have better things to do with my time & money!
Are you just going straight to heaven with your sanctimonious attitude! Good for you. You’re much better than all of us!
I think she is just saying that she fills her time with people who truly love her.
Rude af of you@@waterwomaninFL
@@waterwomaninFLShe is not in any way sanctimonious. Stop your hatred for those who are religious. Stop being evil.
@@SawSaw-zd1cy Do NOT assume I am not religious and God fearing just because I believe in NOT BLAMING THE VICTIM (while wrapping yourself in religion). To say you “attend mass regularly” seems to give @charlyleeme!9321 the right to blame someone who is in a vulnerable place in her life. This is certainly not what the Bible directs us to do, is it?
Shame on law enforcement for being too lazy and insensitive to conduct a proper investigation into this woman's death, which is precisely what our tax dollars pay them to do! Who commit suicide by drowning themselves in a river??? Is that even possible? Even if it is, who would chose that way over the easier ways to do so? As unlikely of a way to commit suicide that would be, then to add in her being scammed over a million dollars and fearing for her life coming to an end (as she stated in that letter). There's more than enough reason to investigate foul play here.
I have such a strong respect for this woman's daughter. She's so brave and strong. She is still fighting for justice for her mother, other scam victims and to protect other potential victims. I am confident that her new baby daughter will grow up to be so proud of her mother. RIP Laura.
When citizens become involved in criminal activities like drugs or prostitution, and then become victims, it becomes much more difficult for police to investigate the crime. To avoid being a victim, stay away from criminals, and be wary of any stranger who might be trying to manipulate you. Teach your children. Convincing you to take part in a criminal activity, is often a set-up for your own victimization. Because you might fear being implicated, you would probably be tempted to keep your activities and connections secret, even from those you are closest to, and you are afraid to ask others for help and their opinions. That secretive double life and of course the ringleaders and puppetmasters cover their tracks from the beginning. That's why it's so hard for to investigate, when victims have played a part in their own exploitation by letting themselves be conned into criminal behavior and keeping secrets. Remember that the con artist is always several steps ahead of the mark, that's you. A great movie about this is House of Games.
There is also the problem of jurisdiction unfortunately
I agree. That idiot sheriff telling this young woman her mother committed suicide. How dare he!!! Her daughter knew her well and knew she would not commit suicide. Sadly, she will never know the full story of what happened to her mother. Especially since the con man is over in Africa. He will never face justice. Stay off these sites, ladies!!!! They are a predator’s playground.
Lazy gaslighters.
@@OurOceansBeauty There isn't any problem with jurisdiction. There may be a problem with extradition if he's abroad when charges are filed against him, but the police should conduct an investigation no matter what and, if there is enough to charge someone, then they should be charge that person. If that someone is in another country but eventually sets foot again on American soil, they can be arrested and extradited back to the charging state, no problem. If Interpol can grab him from another country and that country allows him to be extradited and brought back to the USA to face trial is another question though, but he'll be locked up if he ever tries to return to the US.
As soon as someone u do not know asks u for money, block them immediately.
It does not happen to ANY body. Feelings are not facts. People believe what they want to believe not what they are. No one has an obligation to stop anyone from doing things they knowingly want to do. Stop blaming others for your own mistakes. Take responsibility for your own actions.
💯
I love it when the victims try to blame the banks for not stopping them sending money, as if they are adult baby sitters. People who fall for it these scams refuse to listen and accept reality.
i just had two catfishes contact me today via a dating app. i can tell if they r fake.
First Rule of Internet Dating: Nothing is real unril you physically meet.
This man, typical story I’ve heard before on these online sites. These people steal photos from public websites and create fake people. They know how to lie and they know the right things to say. I hate how sick these people are.
I watched a documentary where people from some Asian countries are lured in with the promise of a job only to be forced into forced labor for massive call centres dedicated to these sort thing, run by big mafias. The documentary came about bc they manage to escape. Another interesting doc on the subject is the Sakawa boys of such call centres in Africa
There are TONS of stories showing how people fall for these "lovers." Here are some:
www.youtube.com/@CatfishedOnline/videos
Well, this might be worse than getting recruited by a CULT…glad the daughter is speaking out.Mom got love bombed and fell into to that WEB too deep. Very,very sad.😢🙏🏾😢
I honestly think people should just avoid on-line dating sites - problem solved.
That's not always the case. Scams occur when people meet in person, as well. These manipulators defile the emotions of caring and loving people. Some of these evil individuals will even marry others they've never loved, in order to steal everything from others!
I'm sorry about the loss of your mom. May you find peace. Also, in this day and age, news of romance scams are everywhere. How can people still fall for that? It makes no sense to send money to a romantic "partner" you've never met.
Right??!!! How can "pretty words" alone create this very real feeling of love ... and ... how can people not grow suspicious when such high amounts of money are involved?! It is so strange to me
unfortunately, even intelligent people fall for them, especially after a major trauma. our brains are wired to often put feelings first. this is shown in psych research. I wouldn't believe it, but I'm a therapist who's seen it. when people go through losing a loved one to cancel and they don't get therapy, they're especially vulnerable to this kind of crime and it's only going to get worse with AI
Thank you for coming out and sharing your heart breaking tragedy. May your Mother RIP and hopeful you will find peace.
Nice post. Start by giving kind condolence. End it by posting something that, in effect, shames her mother for being so dumb to "still fall for [an online scam]" when everyone can see that these scams are "everywhere" "in this day and age." Just end it at, "...May you find peace." Good grief...
It's like invason of the body snatchers, perfectly logical people going off the deep end within days, horrifying. My film teacher from the Art Institute of Chicago, a man, fell for one who had a cult, pre internet, and he was killed by her. A man with a dream job! Handsome! But his mom had just died and he was in a vulnerable place...
It’s very interesting who gets the benefit of victimhood and who doesn’t. This entire situation is sad.
I don't understand how in the 2020's people are still being scammed. I know sometimes it can be hard to tell but meeting someone online is always risky
My husband's aunt fell victim to a romance scam, and she ended up cutting us out of her life when we tried helping her. She tried reaching out to him a few years back, but my husband decided he was done. She was extremely nasty and said some horrible things that he just wasn't willing to forgive.
Sweet Kelly, I'm so sorry. What a wonderfully blessed woman Laura was to have had a daughter as lovingly persistent as you! I hope and pray you find anyone and everyone involved and responsible for your mother's death, and I pray you and your family all find peace during this storm. Much love from Georgia. ❤
Amen 🙏
I pray you get the answers you deserve ! 🙏🏼
say it with me
ONLINE IS NOT REAL
ONLINE IS NOT REAL
ONLINE IS NOT REAL
As I watch an ad for a dating app and wait
1.5 million a year on Trust and Safety is pocket change to these tech executives
They said they spend $125 million a year on Trust and Safety.
@@Harcorwrestler I understand that. What percent is that of their annual budget? That's where you should be concerned.
It’s hard to understand how to protect yourself if you’ve only seen the good side of things. I first got scammed in middle school on an online game with in-game money. Then in high school, a boy I was talking to in a game sent me a fake photo and I believed it was him until my friend told me the photo was of a foreign celebrity. I became cautious after that point.
I feel no one has walked in your mother's shoes so they can't judge. Your mother would be so proud this is a wonderful thing your doing ❤️ 💖 love light and healing vibes to you and your family.
All dating sites there should be ways to immediately identify scam accounts and notify all contacts. This should be normal everyday business !!! 😮😮😮
I understand how some people may get scammed, but then in rurn working for them to scam others and move money for them? Thats where my sympathy ends
Prayers to the family. What a brave and devoted daughter she has.
If I live long enough, I can't wait to be single for the rest of my life.
Make no mistake,,,, Love is a drug.
So sorry for your loss, I took have falled for a similar romance scam& lost only my money and my dog so I am so sorry for your loss and I thank you for sharing this
As an older female, ladies (and gentlemen) get a dog or cat. We are old 😮 if somebody asked me for money that is a problem.
Can you imagine having to get used to a new man's habits and idiosyncracies? Girl, no!😅
@@denisedaniel9010 🤣🙏
How do you go to I love you in twelve days? It happens when some people don't use the common sense they were born with.
Poor woman probably felt she had no choice but to end her life to make it stop. She wasn’t just broke, she was broken, heartsick, humiliated and absent of all hope of any kind of recovery from this. Being notified that the FBI was looking into a fraud scam probably confirmed what she suspected but was denying herself to believe. And that was more than she could handle. Bless her heart. She just wanted love.
And now with video filters anyone can impersonate anyone.
plus social media, if ppl want to know someone thoroughly, i believe is not too difficult. i don't even go into social media website.
@@gimpee8113 yup, my ex whom I was not speaking to, befriended me on FB with a fake profile, reporting to believe we went to grade school together. I was super savvy, but I fell for it as she knew a lot about me.
AI now let's scammers steal any voice or face they want
@@user-dl1xw3bg5h yep, even your own family members. We need to have control questions to make sure it’s really them.
I watched a few episodes of the catfished YT channel where very obvious fake videos (before AI filters existed) were enough to fool people. They totally ignored the red flags. You’re right, in the world of AI is going to be even easier 😢.
I'm proud of you for having the strength to help others by sharing your story. I hope you will someday find peace.
I get the ones on facebook that say, there doctors, and that their widowed
My biological mother killed my Grandma. I feel her pain... this is heartbreaking.
That poor woman, I'm so sorry for her loss and what she's been through.
Love is also fabricated in the mind. Honesty and respect are virtues that promote peace and harmony. Love is a form of discrimination and causes blindness to reality.
This is unbelievable. We are all on our own to protect ourselves from the evil in this world. 1.5 million dollars to a stranger??? I don't understand.
Time to also start going after these dating sites themselves.
While I never exchanged money I've had to deal with those scammers myself with online dating.
I feel so bad for the victims, even the money mules. This is a wicked thing to prey on those who just want a healthy and loving relationship.
Oh, Kelly I am so truly sorry for the loss of your amazing momma. I also fell victim to these evil people. It was a long time ago and I'm still healing. I thought I was an intelligent woman that would see through any of this. As it turned out I was not able to see it. These despicable people prey on older, disabled lonely people. I have only Social Security for money. And yet I think I sent about $10,00.00. My friends treated me like I was stupid. It was degrading, embarassing, and destroyed my self esteem. As well as my ability to trust myself. As I said, it was a long time ago. But I still work on it.
I will forever be single and deal with life on my own. But I am still alive. Your mom's story breaks my heart. Please be well. Be happy and love and trust yoyrself. ❤
This is so ridiculous I couldn't even watch all of it. These people are delusional.
I've been targeted multiple times on Facebook. I tell them I am happily married. Thankfully I haven't fallen for their BS.
I feel for the daughter because I have a widowed mother. Thankfully, my mother is rarely on social media and doesn't use dating apps and hasn't fallen for their BS either.
I have been targeted also on FB. They use the oldest scam out there. Military men in other countries. I tell them I am poor and please get a new scam. Lol. I also ask them to send me money. Needless to say I get left alone after that. I'm a widow and I don't need a man. I do fine all by myself.
I’m so sorry for your loss Kelly.
If my husband passed away, I'd get dogs, buy a Tiny Home, a simple car and live my best life! There isn't ANYTHING a man can do that I can't do myself! My dogs and hobbies will be plenty fine!
They should block countries like Ghana from having access to those dating sites.
Laura should not have moved so soon after her husband's death. She left her neighbors and friends behind, and did not yet have a support network built up in her new location. She became lonely and depressed, which allowed her to fall prey to a romance scammer.
My friend and neighbor ended up dying from a romance scam.
I worked at a bank for a few years. Part of the job was to watch out for Elder Abuse via Romance scammers or abusive guardians. It’s way more common than people think
I'm going to turn 55 this year. I have been married to my husband for almost 35 years. We raised 3 children, we have 5 grandchildren, we are still very happy together. We both have some health issues and are trying to get through these tough times together. I can honestly say that IF he was gone tomorrow, I would focus on my family, maybe get a pet, hobbies, etc...
What I would not do is start a romantic relationship bcuz I would not want to take away from what my husband and I have. He will always be my hubby and the love of my life. He is my person and I love him unconditionally and forever. 💞
I do not think that people who do things differently are wrong. I'm just saying how I feel. I'm happy bcuz I would not need to worry about this kind of thing. I feel so sad for this lovely woman. Her daughter is proof that she was a wonderful mother. I feel so sad for the daughter. One of my daughters name is named Kelly as well.
This guy, "frank" sounds like a real slimeball. He saw someone vulnerable and he was completely heartless.
I almost got scammed by a 40- year-old Sicilian man who lives in a tiny apartment with his parents and bunch of cats . He is unemployed, living off his parent's pension and his brother's support. His apartment has only two tiny bedrooms and they even have to share a single bathroom. A year ago, he befriended me through an English learning platform and expressed his love to me. My family is quite well off in Vietnam. My mom has several properies. Initally, our conversations were normal and then ge kept asking about my family's financial situation and asked if he could come to Vietnam and live with me so he wouldn't have to pay money for rent and work towards our future. I did smell smt fishy so i pretended my family was poor and he decided to end our relationship and told me that Asian people are moocher when they expect their boyfriend to pay for their meal. In our culture, we don't go dutch with partners, the person has to pay money if they invite them to a restaurant😅😅😅😅😅 and now that moocher lives in Mexico with a single mom for free while working towards his future, perhaps 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 I'm glad that I did pretend that my family was poor and didn't share any private information, even my social media account 😅😅
These victims are also co-conspirators. If they are charged with the crimes they are committing, perhaps they'll realize they are a willing part of scam.
Heartbreaking and unbelievable
A very sad & heartbreaking story - just like most of the same stories you read about scammers. Handing over even a dollar to a stranger begins the charade. Imo-I don’t care how educated the victim is-no one is forcing them to send money.
He Swedish but has roots in Iowa come on now you can’t make this stuff up😂😂
Shut down online. Shut it down. Please Shut it down
This is a good daughter! Very smart woman! Why do women give money to men? Even men they are in relationship with! What is wrong with these women that they do that? Are they mental to begin with? Its crazy!
Sorry for her loss! That sucks.
I just don’t understand. I’m so terribly sorry for these people and their families. Maybe it’s because I was brutally betrayed and abandoned by someone I trusted and adored. These people must’ve been broken in some way that made them seek others for love and validation. I’m so sorry for them because now they’ve been hurt far worse.
So very sorry for your loss.
All the scammers say the same thing most of them are widows and that’s a red flag then they all have one child then they all have a child that’s either boarding school
Then the man says that he has no family or would tragically lost in an accident or a fire most of the way have died from cancer. This is the norm. Then they don’t wanna call you and yes they call you at night because they’re working during the day and it’s not who the person is then when you tell them to show themselves all they’re either on a rig or they’re out of town these are red flags.
My heart breaks for everyone in this.
Beautiful lady I am so sorry you lost your mom. 😰😰😰🙏🙏🙏
So happy that you are helping others...
ANOTHER WARNING SCAMMERS USUALLY WORK BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6:00 A.M.
My neighbor and friend took his own life after he lost literally everything he had to a catfish scam 😢
These scammers are RUTHLESS
Sounds like a cyber security lack on the platforms heartbreaking
She's right. Anyone even helping by making a phone call or hitting send is complacent in the scams that hurt so many.. and that includes her mom. Don't forget her mom made dating profiles for scammers! Her mom is a victim but eventually became something else
I would rather take my chances at Home Depot to met the man of my dreams while I'm still awake
..The men out number the women..The men will be, homeowners, business owners, employed and local ..Vetting process available....🤔
Someone was trying to scam my mother, too. Luckily, I intercepted it. I blocked every friends request. It's easy for these older ladies to get scammed because, most of them are too vulnerable.
I’m always watching who is contacting my elderly mother. Some of these con artists should know how far some of us will go to protect our families.
AI will make the potential of these scams even more common.
I recently discovered my elderly neighbor had fallen victim to this kind of scam...i only discovered it because the bank placed a foreclosure sign in her front yard. The scammer took her for everything she had...our community is currently trying to find a resolution to keep a roof over her head
She obviously had mental issues. It is unbelievable that anyone in their right mind would fall for this. I feel for the daughter.
Thanks for the victim shaming. Your contribution helps a bunch. You helped so many, particularly the daughter of this woman.
Loads of people 'in their right minds' fall for unscrupulous scammers. Being lonely, trusting, hopeful or naiive does not mean someone has mental issues.
@@sg-vp2qgI agree with OP. Nobody in their right mind falls for this. They are either emotionally fragile or mentally ill, notice the biggest victims are widows that are grieving.
My Dad was living two lives. Texted my mom by accident that’s how we found out. Next day my Dad didn’t live with us anymore. Moved outta state to live with his other family. Mom got really sick and died from Cancer a few years later. I think she died from a broken heart. Miss you momma bear! ❤
SO SAD.
Thank God for channels like trilogy media and scammer payback
The doctor in Chile 👁️👄 👁️