HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – Right now many seniors feel alone, wanting love and companionship, however too many of them are being victimized by predators online promising a romantic relationship.
A local 75-year-old woman said she was told lies by a man she met online, promising. She said she fell victim to an online romance scheme.
She agreed to share her story but didn’t want her identity revealed.
He said the man gave her many compliments, shared intimate conversations, and told her he was in love.
But then three weeks into their new relationship he started asking for her to send money and she lost thousands.
She said he would call and text her all the time, but she didn’t have a way to reach him. She said at first he asked for gift cards for about $100 but then requested more and more money.
She said he would make various reasons for needing the money. She said she sent the money on apps that he helped her set up on her phone and wired the money.
“Every time I did it, I knew it was wrong,” said the woman, “But something just makes you do it.”
When she realized she was being victimized, she was upset.
“It hurts. I’m always too trusting, I trust everybody and I’m kind of a forgiver. I almost lost my family over this,” said the woman.
She said her children were upset with her and got involved and hired Cyber Security Expert Len Gonzales from Ally Cyber Investigations, LLC.
He was able to investigate the situation and work to help the woman realize these people were…
