A resident of Clinton (Iowa) has lost more than $100 thousand, because fell in love with a man whom she met online and transferred the money to him. Almost all their savings.
The police say: «romantic Scam» can happen with almost anyone, and the amount in such cases is often considerable.
«We just started to correspond by email, and then moved to text messages — says the victim named Linda (last name and age of the woman is not made public). After a while I realized that I had fallen in love with him. We’ve never met, but I was pleased that someone is «near» that I found someone. I believed him.»
The man who introduced mark name, Linda said that he needed funds for a very profitable project, promising to bring the woman double the amount.
First check Linda signed a $48 thousand — it was money from her retirement savings. After she translated «Mark» the money several times. She gave the scammer $112 thousand.
Only a year later Linda asked for help to law enforcement.
According to the representative of police of Clinton , Randy Meyer, mark answered them by sending a passport scan.
«The passport looked good, but still it was clear that it was a fake. We know that money went, presumably, to Ghana or other West African countries. Set there the identity of the person and bring him to justice is almost impossible. It is important to remember that if your romantic interest in the Internet begins to ask for money is 100% Scam,» says Meyer.
But Linda had to file for bankruptcy.
«I want to warn others, — the woman tells. — Why do people do this? They’re ruining other people’s lives. I do not understand…».
