Romance scam victim speaks out on "psychological manipulation" that cost her $2.5 million
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13 днів томуIn this web exclusive, “Sue,” a retiree who agreed to speak with CBS News under a pseudonym, says she became a victim of a romance scammer and lost her home and nearly $2.5 million to someone she met on Match.com. She says the fraudsters used technology (including deceptive Skype calls) and “psychological manipulation” to lure her in: “People say, how can you give money to a stranger? He wasn't a stranger at that point." [Don't miss the four-part CBS News Investigation "Anything for Love."]
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@silentnot4812 11 днів тому
Even in a real relationship, the asking for money should have sent red flags.
@greg33770 10 днів тому
Exactly !
@SimoneNC 10 днів тому
These types of women will never learn
@MichelleT-so4we 9 днів тому
Build up your own house.🌎 Or Diamond jewelry makes NICE collateral.
@acd1168 9 днів тому
If he asked for $75, it’s fine but not $50k and $100k. That’s crazy stuff
@lindamattioli7943 9 днів тому
Lack of hygiene experience. You must go with the intervoice
@BeLoose1 9 днів тому
The strange part is that if her closest relative asked her for $20,000 she probably would have said no.
@brigittebeltran6701 7 днів тому
💯
@AnthonyMason-cq9gi 6 днів тому
You have a excellent point.😢😢😢
@stacyb-r6931 6 днів тому
Bingo
@rachshred9613 6 днів тому
agreed. however, I have noticed most people in general are only willing to help their significant other. it's not just her.
@kathe9662 5 днів тому
Absolutely! And so many family are better friends with acquaintances than their own family.
@carolbrennan5 11 днів тому
Sending entire $2mil life savings to someone she’s never met-to the point where she sold her house & became homeless/living in her car-seems an obvious question of mental competency.
@janetr5929 10 днів тому
My thoughts exactly.
@AGL01772 10 днів тому
I think it’s time to stop blaming the victim. There is no doubt that this person is mentally competent. However, she was probably lonely and vulnerable. We need to take a look at the fact that there are a few protections in place for consumers. This scammer used a commercial dating website and was able to pull off their scam. we cannot trust that our privacy is protected, or that organizations that sell products have our safety and best interest at heart. This makes us vulnerable to scams. Therefore, instead of making it the victims problem, we need to do more education on how to protect people from these types of situations.
@BrokeMillionaire1 10 днів тому
@@AGL01772unfortunately, there will never be enough protections to combat people who are so vulnerable and gullible. We will never stop scammers. The only way we can stop it is if we stop allowing ourselves to be victims. Assume everyone is out to scam you until they prove otherwise. You are the only one responsible for your money. I feel so bad for this lady. I hope that someone would have been there to intervene.
@Kim-yy4zd 10 днів тому
@@AGL01772 what sane person sales their house for a stranger Personal accountability is needed
@olderandwiser127 10 днів тому
Exactly! How can anyone be that innocent at an advanced age?? She appears to have the maturity level of a teenager.
@tammycraig7635 12 днів тому
Why isn't a man asking for money a turn off? I don't get it.
@teacherlisa163 9 днів тому
Watch out, or you will be someone's next target. A man should be able to work and provide for himself - not ask a woman to support him, especially in terms of tens of thousands of dollars at a time.
@madamebutterfly851 7 днів тому
Right 😅 Total turn off and non negotiable for me. Grown men who can't take care of themselves or have their own money for their own desires are a big no thank you for me. So pathetic.
@Ididntwantthishandle 5 днів тому
Particularly large sums. A hundred here or there is one thing. This person is bleeding thousands out of you
@KathleenMcNe 5 днів тому
It would be for me. Next!
@molliwilson5639 3 дні тому
Anyone asking me for money is a turn off.
@jackieburleson342 12 днів тому
A person you’ve never met in-person is still a stranger…
@evanordstrand8585 11 днів тому
So very true 👍
@roxanab.1626 11 днів тому
Sadly, many many times ... People that are in your life under the same roof for decades can still be strangers to you and even enemies. 😔😮💨
@marytheresejacksonlutz2533 11 днів тому
Exactly!!!!
@laurawhitaker1797 10 днів тому
Even the ones you marry can end up strangers.
@annowens5019 9 днів тому
@@roxanab.1626 ... That Part
@8ofwands300 12 днів тому
She worked her whole life and made smart financial decisions, only to give it all away in 8 months to a Nigerian teenager who sent her poems he found on line. 😑😑😐😐
@tabby73 10 днів тому
Good and very true summary
@anonymous-zn2iv 9 днів тому
That teenager is living like a king now.
@barb6868 9 днів тому
Teenager?
@dennykeaton9701 8 днів тому
Well said. Copying and pasting poems he found online. Sadly that's all it took to get her lifetime savings.
@HoneyLove77 8 днів тому
HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S A NIGERIAN? INDIANS, CHINESE, ETC ALL ARE DOING THIS!
@rg2613 9 днів тому
This is insane. Sending 2 million to someone you’ve never met.
@sableann4255 9 днів тому
I wouldn't send anyone money, even if I've known them 30 years let alone met them online.
@rg2613 8 днів тому
@@sableann4255 and that’s why you haven’t lost 2 million. It’s hard to feel bad for these people who are so reckless with their money with no ounce of common sense. Hell, even if I had 2 million and it was my sister who wants to borrow that much money from me, I would tell her hells no. Get a loan from the bank.
@ElizzzaB 5 днів тому
She is not alone. There have been other reports.
@mariarohmer2374 2 дні тому
It's almost laughable she tries to defend herself. Says he wasn't a stranger. Come on, lady.
@tennesseeterri 10 днів тому
Your mistake was in thinking that conversing with a stranger online and phone was a RELATIONSHIP.
@B.H.56 7 днів тому
social media has made people lose their minds. They think online = real life. When in reality it's like a TV show. Not real.
@clairebond6958 13 годин тому
She was naive so so sad
@jazziered142 12 днів тому
If they don't want to meet you within 2 weeks, and then they cancel the first time, move on. That is your first clue.
@lindaabraham8715 12 днів тому
A good clue, but not the first. The first clue is saying all the right things.
@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453 12 днів тому
Exactly. I don't the understand how they end up like this. It must be some shreds of desperation that makes a person think they are in a "relationship" when they have never met
@rumblefish9 12 днів тому
I've seen so many videos from Scamfish that you kinda get a picture of the typical victim and the scammer. The victims are usually older, lonely or stuck in unhappy marriages. The scammer has used some poor unsuspecting guy's images to scam the victims and they usually use younger (late 30s, 40s or early 50s), good-looking guys who are in the army/navy/air force or have businesses and travel to so and so places. The real guy has no idea his social media pictures are being used by scammers and when they do it's usually too late. In reality, these men would probably not go for these older women and in reality most of them already have families. But all the victim thinks is there's this younger, handsome guy who is giving me all this attention and love. That's why the victims stick with them. They're getting something out of the scam; whether it's an ego boost, validation or the attention they crave that it completely makes them blind to reason. The manipulation is planned in stages and these scammers have scripts they use and a system in place. And when you ask the victims why they keep sending money even though they have never met the guy or even had a video call with him, they'll say they love him. They're that manipulated.
@jolyfrye1871 11 днів тому
Their is a big difference between a relationship and an illusion.😮
@lindaabraham8715 11 днів тому
@@jolyfrye1871 Don't be so sure. Some illusions last a life time.
@ericb8413 12 днів тому
I knew she was in trouble when she said “I can live with him and be poor”. She had already accepted downgrading after working her whole life. Sad. 😔
@lu_re7198 10 днів тому
On some level she realized that she’d been scammed but she was still desperately clinging to a thread of hope for love. 😔
@Onelightoftheworld 9 днів тому
@@lu_re7198 or clinging onto the hope that she would get that money back too.
@Mario_N64 9 днів тому
Victor Hugo, the writer, said that a woman in love could sleep on the floor and live on bread and water.
@markmedley6849 9 днів тому
@@Mario_N64 I don't know Victor Hugo, but he is right in this case.
@jramsey9690 7 днів тому
@@Mario_N64Ah, that “nesting instinct” never goes away.
@AndiAndrea 11 днів тому
There were PLENTY of red flags to warn her.
@gothboschincarnate3931 9 днів тому
Rich people are just stupid.
@davidmarks8318 9 днів тому
@@gothboschincarnate3931 sure are!!
@davidmarks8318 9 днів тому
And how!!
@acornsucks2111 9 днів тому
The biggest orange flag was men don't fall in love with 70 year old women.
@barb6868 9 днів тому
@@acornsucks2111Oh how can you say that.? What a stupid thing to say. Someone her age can fall in love with another person the same age.
@autofocus4556 11 днів тому
Why would you send someone hundreds of thousands when you hadn’t even met them yet? At some point personal responsibility comes into play.
@AlphaandOmega-mb1wg 10 днів тому
Just can't explain the human mind. Makes no sense
@caiqueparrot5374 10 днів тому
Don't even give money to people you know. 😮
@kellycarpenter3021 10 днів тому
Desparate for love
@chiefrcker 9 днів тому
I know, she is just stupid for sending someone she never met all her life savings
@tlmas1914 9 днів тому
@@kellycarpenter3021 NOPE STUPID FOR LOVE
@sierravista9013 12 днів тому
NEVER send men money
@MoInTheCity03 12 днів тому
NEVER!!!
@marylynch951 12 днів тому
Men and women
@MrElliotc02 12 днів тому
Or women.
@spiritcreek9813 12 днів тому
Or anyone. You want to give your money away? Support your local charities. Food banks, clothing banks, people and animal shelters.
@newtrollaccount384 12 днів тому
@@marylynch951 It's different and you know it.
@Sheyz123 12 днів тому
How kind and brave of her to share this horrendous story 😢
@t.k3025 12 днів тому
Talking marriage and he isn’t in the same country? Yikes.
@oliviatrelles 11 днів тому
Agreed. I can’t imagine this happening to anyone I care about let alone her courage to speak about it publicly. Everyone thinks it can’t happen to them but it can and I thank her for sharing so others may set aside their own hubris.
@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453 11 днів тому
Brave to share, but blind to think that she was in a relationship when they had never met. .if I don't meet after 1 week, I am losing interest. If I don't meet after 2 weeks, I stop replying
@jawwad1189 9 днів тому
@@oliviatrelles guys go through this all the time spending on women and not getting anything in return what makes her so special?? Gender? I don't get? Is it because the roles are revsered.
@Gheorghe99 8 днів тому
@@jawwad1189 1. Most guys I know would take a lady out to a nice dinner or maybe even a weekend getaway and if nothing romantically happened that would be the end of that relationship. 2. I'm a dude and never asked a woman for money, regardless of whether she's a longtime friend or we just met.
@wakeupbell2491 12 днів тому
I was going out with a man I worked with. He asked to borrow $100 so his car could be repaired & pass inspection. Then he started telling me how his mother was sick and he needed to send money back home for medication she needed. I ignored this thinly veiled request for more money. Next payday, I started asking for the $100 he owed me. After I got it, I stop seeing him, never answered his texts again, and quit not long after. THAT is how you deal with a scammer. You do not keep giving them money!!
@ericb8413 12 днів тому
Fantastic. Glad you ghosted him. Any man who needs a woman’s money has real problems.
@Raja1938 9 днів тому
That a grown man couldn't swing a $100 expense should've been the first sign that he wasn't a viable dating prospect.
@wakeupbell2491 9 днів тому
@@Raja1938 True. But it was a casual relationship, not anything serious. Plus, without going into details, he had legitimate reasons to be struggling financially. But I could see through his ploy for money "for his sick mom."
@deirdrekiely6187 10 днів тому
LIFE LESSON: If you have not met in person, then you're not in a relationship.
@ananeeva4109 3 дні тому
So true. Those in denial of it will pay the ultimate price :(
@se_me1756 День тому
Half the time you aren’t in one even if you meet in person. Never ever give a man money. Men do not ask women for money. SMH
@foreveryoung999 21 годину тому
Even if you have met the person, you aren't in a relationship that qualifies money gifts.
@gerayneharris8045 12 днів тому
If they claim to be a businessman, but they need Your money for their business expenses, that's a BIG red flag. Either they aren't one or they are bad at it.
@gfunk63901 11 днів тому
I’m still sending money to trump
@shinyshinythings 11 днів тому
Exactly. Or if they’re constantly “in legal trouble” or “trapped” somewhere.
@robertkorth2911 9 днів тому
@gfunk63901 and he will still lose 😂
@aishanjgirl07 9 днів тому
Exactly, that literally makes no sense
@WNHTCT 8 днів тому
Or they want you to "invest" in their business
@jazziez6467 12 днів тому
as an older retired woman that had plenty of lousy relationships, failed marriage and another marriage ending with hubby od'd and dead I would never send a nickel for anyone let alone $50,000, $100,000 and so on, that is insane on any level
@desireesalas5820 11 днів тому
Exactly. Every single time she sent these large sums of money to the scammer, she made a conscious decision to do so. She wasn't receiving threats on her life, request for ransom or any other severe form of manipulation. There needs to be some personal accountability here as well.
@corrinedorsey8024 10 днів тому
I'm not giving 20.00 of my money to just a name on a piece of paper!!!
@ls-l1518 9 днів тому
@@desireesalas5820 I agree 100%. But her bank should also have stopped it. Asked her, why are you sending all your money all of a sudden?
@VeeFoster 9 днів тому
Early on in a relationship, if a man asks a woman for money, that's a red flag.
@donnamoore193 8 днів тому
For sure never send money for any reason no matter how lonely you are
@keithss67 12 днів тому
Literally the first second anyone you don’t even know asks you for 3 cents, run!
@anonymous-zn2iv 9 днів тому
You don't need to run, just say no. It's like when a vampire asks to be let into your room, all you have to do is refuse. All the power rests with you.
@jcook2433 7 днів тому
Yes. The power rests with you. Never a nickel , even if you have begun to know them in person. A person who cannot manage their own life will take you down with them. Hard to be alone? Harder to be alone and ruined.
@katemarr1984 6 днів тому
@@anonymous-zn2iv You make valid points; however I'm going offer a slight modification - RUN & Say no! The vampire analogy is 💯 on point.
@mbecker5400 10 днів тому
How does an "international businessman" need money from someone?
@yvonne2965 7 днів тому
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
@B.H.56 7 днів тому
His "account was frozen."
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
Same reason a 'billionaire' political candidate is begging for money all the time. Because they're scammers.
@PamDubier 12 днів тому
This woman is so brave to share her story in order to help others.
@AGL01772 9 днів тому
Agree. I like your comment. Not much compassion in these comments here. Lots of judgment.
@ellebell9139 9 днів тому
@@AGL01772the internet is younger than this woman. Literally, ok. ... This is the actual first ever scam people started doing on the internet. Its the reason people were warning everyone about online dating way back in the day. The judgement comes from the fact that it is common knowledge that people will fake being in love with you online to get your money. Its why catfishing became a thing....... She is too old to not be aware of this.
@xana5649 3 дні тому
@@AGL01772nobody respect fools
@georgecuster527 12 днів тому
A smart person learns from their mistakes but a brilliant person learns from others mistakes .
@willissudweeks1050 12 днів тому
There are no smart nor brilliant people who could fall for this in the first place. No need for an example.
@maritesshoy317 12 днів тому
@@willissudweeks1050 - showing the whole internet that you are neither & couldn't possibly know w/ that comment. 😜
@lindaabraham8715 12 днів тому
@@willissudweeks1050 Loneliness will override smartness.
@willissudweeks1050 12 днів тому
@@maritesshoy317 No it’s called having common sense and most people have it.
@willissudweeks1050 12 днів тому
@@lindaabraham8715 Not with everyone. There’s a degree of silliness in falling for this stuff.
@MissMariQueen 10 днів тому
He was a stranger, dear lady. You never met him.
@stephenbanks5952 День тому
He doesn't exist
@mary_puffin 12 днів тому
I am so very sorry for this lady. She fell victim because of a desire for love and marriage, which she hadn't realized earlier in her life. In the end, she lost her hope for companionship and all her money. Yes it was naive of her but it was innocent. She is very brave to share this story. I cannot fathom the cruelty of the people who do this scamming.
@wildmountainthyme4123 11 днів тому
The cruelty of these scammers is overwhelming. I think Sue was so brave to tell her story, and I pray that she finds peace.
@teacherlisa163 9 днів тому
They are sociopaths and have no souls.
@missmiss9539 6 днів тому
I pray she gets her money back and god brings her love
@brooklyn3299 3 дні тому
She really needs to sue that company eharmony company! They led her to believe that these were REAL people. If they can’t vet the people in their site, then at this point that stupid site is a Craigslist Ad.
@Glen-uy4jt 7 годин тому
You see it as cruelty but they see it as a gold mine without the hard physical work. The internet is digital, it is a form of obscure communication. I mean if you get asked for 250,000 dollars once and they do not have a payback schedule, then they ask for more, to fall for that is outright stupidity. Do not let your emotions rule your life.
@i-dash 12 днів тому
Love bombing is one of the top telltale signs of a scammer. Definitely when they start asking for money - cut it off. Block them whatever you need to do. It’s easy to believe it when you’re lonely and you WANT to. I wish her well on her recovery financially, emotionally and psychologically.
@sie4431 12 днів тому
Not just a scammer but an abuser too
@jolyfrye1871 12 днів тому
NEVER feel like u have 2 B N A relationship to feel complete. I'd rather have 2 million dollars in my bank account.💸 💸 💸
@i-dash 12 днів тому
@@jolyfrye1871 💯
@rumblefish9 11 днів тому
@@i-dash I've seen so many videos from SocialCatfish/Scamfish that you kinda get a picture of the typical victim and the scammer. The victims are usually much older, lonely or stuck in unhappy marriages. The scammer has used some poor unsuspecting guy's images to scam the victims and they usually use younger (late 30s, 40s or early 50s), good-looking guys who are in the army/navy/air force or have businesses and travel to so and so places. The real guy has no idea his social media pictures are being used by scammers and when they do it's usually too late. In reality, these men would probably not go for these older women and in reality most of them already have families. But all the victim thinks is there's this younger, handsome guy who is giving her all this attention and love. That's why the victims stick with them. They're getting something out of the scam; whether it's an ego boost, validation or the attention they crave that it completely makes them blind to reason. The manipulation is planned in stages and these scammers have scripts they use and a system in place. And when you ask the victims why they keep sending money even though they have never met the guy or even had a video call with him, they'll say they love him. They're that manipulated.
@paulamitchell1653 11 днів тому
But never blame yourself for being a kind and generous person… pple are just low
@TheRealWickedMelon 11 днів тому
"He wasn't a stranger at this point" sorry to tell you, he damn well was
@rozchristopherson648 3 дні тому
I agree. But she felt she met him through a reputable daring site. So her guard was done.
@gee_emm 12 годин тому
He still is a stranger. She has no idea who she was emailing or speaking to and Santos was a fictional character. She never met anyone. There was no Santos to ever meet!
@gee_emm 12 годин тому
@@rozchristopherson648Dating sites are full of freaks, weirdos and liars. It shouldn't take longer than 5 minutes to realise that!
@KS-kr4ok 12 днів тому
NEVER EVER give money to someone you are dating. You can buy travel tickets and take them along if you want, but NEVER EVER give them money.
@strawberryseason 9 днів тому
yes, yes, yes.
@RippleDrop. 8 днів тому
What do you think, is it okay if you are in a relationship?
@KS-kr4ok 8 днів тому
@@RippleDrop. NO NO NO. The scammer convinces the mark they are in a relationship. Then comes the sad scam story to steal money. A few dollars, not more than $20 maybe. If they need money because they lost their passport or need money to escape a problem to come see you blah blah blah, it is always a scam.
@goldenparachute392 8 днів тому
Realistically she wasn’t dating this person. They had never met.
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
@@goldenparachute392 Well she thought they were in a relationship. Same thing.
@mnelson2008 9 днів тому
I've been married and had long term relationships, but I'm single now. And no matter how lonely I get, I am never, ever giving a man money. Ever.
@ladyvent 5 днів тому
Great cause we don't want to see you on the news!😊
@rozchristopherson648 3 дні тому
I'm 63 and have never been married or had children. Took care of my elderly parents and grandmother for 17 years. I agree with you totally. No matter what, never give a man money.
@annsmith7207 12 днів тому
WOW ! In her head, this guy was not a stranger. Realty check : HE WAS A STRANGER! If she had an active, balanced life, she would have blown him off quite quickly and would have understood she was in a scam. Reality check: she never once met him and yet she thinks he is not a stranger and even worse -- sends money? Seriously? This was an ongoing fantasy in her head that was not at all reality based. Hope she gets the counseling she deserves.
@Ava2969ny 10 днів тому
The fraudsters know exactly who to target...the elderly or widowed women are the most vulnerable because of loneliness. It's horrible because she spent years of her life preparing for retirement and now she doesn't have money to support herself.
@bichonbeach3859 9 днів тому
They don’t just target the elderly, they target everyone! Anyone at any time can be a victim. This is a massive problem and with no repercussion for these scammers it will keep on getting worse.
@VintageLady56 8 днів тому
Yes. This is called Limerence. Can develop into a severe psychological condition. I truly believe this is her case. Very sad.
@Emm325 6 днів тому
@@VintageLady56💯💯💯
@dianel6874 12 днів тому
My mother taught me growing up to don't let people f*** with your money. She taught me this way before the internet. Sorry this happened to you.
@leanordials8008 12 днів тому
Good mom!
@bradfordjhart 12 днів тому
She's a smart woman
@greg33770 10 днів тому
Yep ! Same way I was brought up !
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
You were lucky. My mother was so desperate to see me married that she put my life in danger numerous times, starting when I was in High school. I finally quit all contact with her until I realized she was dying. By then I wasn't her focus.
@deedeewinfrey3181 8 днів тому
I'm grateful for my pets. They never ask for money.
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
They can get costly but I'm grateful for my two dogs !
@jaxonwilson4722 День тому
That's because I work for them.
@MH-xn1nt 11 днів тому
Practice the phrase ‘ that sounds hard. I am sure you will find a solution. No I don’t lend or give money to anyone. I will keep you in my prayers.’
@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 6 днів тому
Give them the phone number to the bank.
@TheSouthIsHot 12 днів тому
She explained so well how these scammers manipulate their victims' minds. Guard your minds, your hearts, your bodies, and your lives.
@lindaslattery8341 12 днів тому
And your wallet
@TheSouthIsHot 12 днів тому
@@lindaslattery8341 Yeah, that too!👍🏻
@leanordials8008 12 днів тому
This is what parents need to teach their children!
@marylynch951 12 днів тому
@@leanordials8008 Agree 💯
@cocatfan 11 днів тому
Only gullible people fall for this.
@bertmunoz7100 12 днів тому
"Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone." Shouldn't this be the very first thing? This should be a warning for everyone. If this scammers are so good at what they do, people should be aware of this before they hit their 70's or 80's.
@willissudweeks1050 12 днів тому
And even if you get manipulated a few times I don’t see how you could give away EVERYTHING.
@kimbok5971 10 днів тому
Are the scammers good at what they do or do we still have an extremely gullible society? I just can't believe the amounts of money she shelled out for someone she'd never met.
@bertmunoz7100 10 днів тому
I'm a fan of the show "AMERICAN GREED" and is always fascinating what people of all generations are willing to believe just to be part of something. On TV there are commercials for products that are clearly a scam, but as long as the Networks post a disclaimer they avoid culpability.
@B1LL9465 10 днів тому
The fact that she was willing to live with him even if she was poor 🤦🏻♀️
@OldSchool4U 10 днів тому
A female senior friend in my 55+ retirement community is currently in a “relationship” with a “solar installer German man who supposedly is an international traveler. Like “Sue” in this video, my friend has never been married. She lives alone and owns her own home. I’ve sent her numerous romance scammer stories including this one! It’s been a year of her online romance and his numerous excuse making no shows. It’s baffling. My friend is a highly educated woman with a MSW degree. She should know better. And didn’t answer my past questions about giving her fantasy scammer money 💰. It’s downright unbelievable how emotionally hooked some people become when their fantasy misconceptions overpower common sense & logical thinking!
@bizwiz5742 5 днів тому
I wouldn't give a family member $2.5M; much less a stranger.
@ritaroad 10 днів тому
I read that if you retire on 1.3 million you’re comfortable. If you retire on 2.3 million you’re wealthy. Where was her financial advisor? If I wanted to withdraw such sums mine would be all over this.
@genxx2724 9 днів тому
How much do you pay your financial advisor? How long have you had them, and what did they do for you?
@conqueror03 9 днів тому
Where was everybody in her life, friends, family??
@SarahRenz59 5 днів тому
@ritaroad Also, where was her bank? My bank puts a stop on my debit card the one time a year I buy jewelry from a lady based in Texas; she rents a booth at the WI State Fair every year. I have to call them and answer all the security questions to prove that yes, it's me making the purchase. My bank would probably send me a fraud alert if they suddenly saw large amounts of money disappearing from my accounts.
@xana5649 3 дні тому
Exactly
@ztomas1 12 днів тому
Why on Gods green earth would you EVER send money to someone you've never met in person?
@martareitmajer 12 днів тому
Good thing I don’t have any money so I don’t attract any scammers.
@kimmyescada5470 11 днів тому
Same🤣🤣🤣
@stephanieames66 10 днів тому
DITTO.
@alicepopovski3643 10 днів тому
Exactly
@user-eu2me4bp7j 9 днів тому
😂😂😂
@lindahathaway3519 7 днів тому
A very good reason to appear as if one has no money.
@relationshiprx6820 9 днів тому
"He wasn't a stranger at that point"! say what! No meeting in person, no video chat, no vetting of this person in any way...thats a hard lesson to learn ma'am. It's bizarre that a person can see themselves as trapped and punished when all they needed to do was hit delete.
@conqueror03 9 днів тому
Well said 👏
@HildaRealtor 10 днів тому
1st red flag: they dont want to meet in person 2nd red flag: ask you to invest, actually any money involved is a red flag.
@mr.d.572 12 днів тому
It's amazing how often this is happening these days. Even with many public warnings, people still fall for it.
@anonymous-zn2iv 9 днів тому
Scammers are very convincing.
@chrisb7142 12 днів тому
My heart goes out to her. What an awful lesson to learn in your 60's...I hope she'll be okay.
@wildmountainthyme4123 11 днів тому
I feel the same way. What a heartbreaking situation. I'm grateful she has such compassionate friends.
@davidmarks8318 10 днів тому
60s? She looks 79
@backtoasimplelife 10 днів тому
It sounds like she was a high-income earner, and she has to be getting social security benefits. If not, then she's going to have to get back to work. I wonder if she can get a part time job and build her savings back up. Sad story and this is so common. I pray for her to be well more each day.
@anonymous-zn2iv 9 днів тому
She is a smart woman when it comes to business. I am sure she can stay afloat. She may not retire a multi millionaire but she will be ok.
@yvonne2965 7 днів тому
It’s so sad
@nancydemoss2945 10 днів тому
This is the reason I go without "love" and "companionship". I'd rather be alone.
@SarahRenz59 5 днів тому
@nancydemoss2945 Me, too. My motto: I'd rather be lonely than miserable.
@shelleycharlesworth5177 12 днів тому
My husband of 40 years died in early 2014. In late 2016 I joined OK Cupid. 3 men tried to romance me. Messaging me that we would have a wonderful life together ! What before talking on phone or meeting in person? This was a clue something was not right. I had to pressure each one to speak on the phone and when they called they ALL had accents ! The next step would be them asking for money but I told each one scram once I heard the accents. Why in the world would would any woman send $ to a stranger? Desperate much? I was lonely but not desperate!
@ericb8413 12 днів тому
Did they call you their ‘queen’? That’s a dead giveaway. Glad you didn’t get scammed. 😊
@shelleycharlesworth5177 11 днів тому
@@ericb8413 -ha ha no they didn't say that! I copied a romance scam warning off the FBI website and posted it on my profile and I told them to read it and BUG OFF!
@TheQueensWish 9 днів тому
These dating sites have become the digital hunting grounds of these scammers. For a small membership costs it opens them up to a pool of potential victims.
@Emm325 6 днів тому
@@TheQueensWishexcept more and more they use Facebook, it doesn’t take much more than common sense to ask oneself why are they writing random people, saying “you’re so pretty, please respond” or some other similar response. I can’t believe this lady…🤦♀️
@TheQueensWish 6 днів тому
@@Emm325 Well of course, that’s even cheaper. It’s free isn’t it? And … they can sift through their targets info looking at photos and old posts and mining them to open conversations: “You like dogs! Oh my dog will love you!” “Oh, do you like lakes? Let me teach you stand up paddle boarding when the weathers nice …. if you’re adventurous.” etc, etc … they mirror whatever they observe of you to get their foot in the door.
@BellaFirenze 12 днів тому
Gullibility and desperation. Some women in their sixties and older believe a much younger person has fallen in love with them. They send them money. They believe far-fetched stories. They lose all logic and common sense. Yes, she is a victim and he is a terrible person. However, she fell for a scam because she was desperate to be with someone.
@carmarasmussen8118 12 днів тому
I understand loneliness but I will never ever understand why anyone would send all of their hard earned money to someone they haver NEVER MET. Makes absolutely no sense. 😮😳
@user-sc9lr6kz8t 12 днів тому
I'm sad she was lonely and felt that "Santos" was just the guy to fill that void.
@lkd06 12 днів тому
@@carmarasmussen8118maybe dementia ?
@user-nv8nt6gm2d 11 днів тому
Get a dog. Better than any man, and dogs love to cuddle, unlike most men.
@soutinefan 11 днів тому
@@user-nv8nt6gm2d Good idea. A dog will ask to sleep in your bed, but NEVER ask you for money. A Milkbone at most.
@bisket2003 12 днів тому
2.5 mill............... AND a house! Yeasus.
@anonymous-zn2iv 9 днів тому
For someone so smart when it comes to business, she sure is naive about other things.
@BrokeMillionaire1 10 днів тому
Whether someone is a stranger or not, do NOT send money to ANYONE. PERIOD. The moment they ask you for money, end all communication.
@pamarner5616 9 днів тому
Where were the employees of your bank? Someone there should have questioned these large withdrawals from someone who didn’t spend money like a crazy person … then suddenly starts. Why are the people in this world not looking out for each other????
@wideawake5630 13 годин тому
Not their responsibility. This is all on her. She was stupid.
@judd442009 12 днів тому
Hopefully, "Sue's" story will help others avoid the scam she suffered.
@pamreneejones 12 днів тому
Every time I see these videos I say "I hope it will be this one to deter the next one or even the masses" but it seems these stories placed end to end could wrap the globe a million times over. Imagine the ones too embarrassed to even tell. 💔
@ninam.1560 12 днів тому
What about the millions of other stories out there about this? The problem is they don't want to listen...you can't help them! They need someone to take over their life choices and finances...not Boyfriends or Girlfriends
@janetr5929 10 днів тому
It won’t. These women can’t be helped.
@marinam.2293 10 днів тому
Sadly, people aren't likely to learn from mistakes of others. Our own experiences tend to mean much more to us.
@VioletEvans-yt2fd 5 днів тому
Nope. There are hundreds who are sending money to their new loves as I type this response.
@seriouslyreally5413 12 днів тому
1. I wouldn't "loan" more than $1000 to even a friend because that can ruin a wonderful friendship. and 2. Never loan more than you can afford to strike a match to and set on fire, even for a friend. Even friends can disappoint you and you want to be able to walk away knowing you still protected your future. Loaning or giving money away is like gambling at a casino, it's entertaiment, not a financial decision. The house always wins.
@soutinefan 11 днів тому
WHY was she so vulnerable to an obvious, hollow offer of "love" when she'd been a functioning single woman all her life? WHY did she not discuss her "lover's" request for money with her "dear women friends" before sending first money? WHY does she acknowledge "Santos" was just a scam-script, yet describe the scam as SO clever and manipulative? I wasn't; it was painfully obvious that a stranger e-mail milking you for millions does not "love" you.
@hamsterdiving7593 11 днів тому
Great questions 👍 I love how some people are finally using their critical thinking skills again and questioning things (not you: others in this section 😊) People are beginning to understand that not all is what it appears to be, today... And when do you utilize your CTS? It starts with a "hmmm..." 🤔 That comes from your gut. Your intuition. Because it is never wrong. Ever
@a.ashley5292 20 годин тому
She says one thing but is actually something else. Women like this are not perfectly fine without a man. She gave up her house for Enrique Santos ConCheetos.
@annaclaire9927 9 днів тому
Crazy. Never send money. You hadn't even met the man.
@hildeschmid8400 12 днів тому
They tried that with me almost 10 years ago, but I figured it out somehow, and walked away with my mind intact. I was extremely lucky. I feel for this woman. They make up a name, a place where they live, and what they do. If they say their widowed, no matter how old they are, walk away.
@shinyshinythings 11 днів тому
I get messages from strangers sometimes on Fb, they see my profile and assume I’m alone or something, and they tell me they like my profile or comments and they’re a retired surgeon (they’re always surgeons, haha). I block and report them. I feel so sad for the women who don’t know how to recognize scammer messages, wherever they’re from.
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
One started calling me in the middle of the night claiming he was in the military in Afghanistan. Apparently when my neighbor's phone was hacked, he'd found my number and photo. Amazing that I was able to figure out he was Nigerian - true story - called him on it and told him if he continued, I'd contact the FBI. That was the end of his calls. But he started out with some complimentary comments that were red flags. Plus he sent a photo of himself, claiming to be a real person here in the states. I found the real guy's info and realized there were just enough discrepancies that I knew he was a scammer.
@DillDough4u 12 днів тому
I feel sorry for this lady, but the person was a stranger. She never met him yet continued sending thousands at a time. If you’re manipulated that easily from having millions to zero, then there’s something internally wrong with you.
@robinr71 11 днів тому
She started off sending HUNDREDS of thousands., to a total stranger, love bombing and copy and pasting poems to her. Saying they love you a week into the "relationship". WTF is wrong with people???
@Lynn.B. 9 днів тому
You have the luxury of being judgmental and making that assessment. Given that you're obviously so superior to her, please don't expect any empathy should you one day fall prey to a scam.
@DillDough4u 9 днів тому
@@Lynn.B. I won’t expect any sympathy because that will never happen to me. I’m not gullible or stupid.
@Lynn.B. 9 днів тому
@@DillDough4u "...because that will never happen to me." Famous last words.
@DillDough4u 9 днів тому
@@Lynn.B. 😘
@billtruttschel 12 днів тому
If you haven't met in person, then they are still a stranger.
@Cos263 8 днів тому
Why are people so sexist? My co-worker’s 66 year old ex-husband fell for a scam like this, so it’s not only women.
@e.e.harrison1357 7 днів тому
It goes both ways, I agree!
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
We're not, there have been comments about men too, but it's far more common with women.
@Ms_Sharpie День тому
Women are more open to talking about it when it happens to them.
@candy123444 12 днів тому
Really?? Someone you never met isn't a stranger? This is simply desperation ladies. Smh..
@splitliving 12 днів тому
Just WHY?? why are so many women determined to find a man, despite all we intellectually realize about them?
@user-nv8nt6gm2d 11 днів тому
I don’t get it either. But it took me decades to get over the fascination with men and romance. I don’t have a romantic bone in my body, today. I prefer the company of dogs.
@tabby73 10 днів тому
@@user-nv8nt6gm2dI could've written that! Well said.
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
An extremely obese (former) male friend told me he was done trying to find a woman and was just going to sit at home, eat and get fatter because none of us women need him, we all have di+do$. Apparently he only wants a woman partner for S#x and doesn't think he might want to work on himself a bit to attract the right person. It's important to do your own personal work and feel good about yourself, so you'll have the right motivation before expecting others to do that for you.
@theconceptofmentalwellness355 2 дні тому
It's not just women
@darrellyelity3648 11 днів тому
Why would anybody send money to someone who they never met in person is beyond me.
@anonymous-zn2iv 9 днів тому
Love is blind.
@lstockton8468 11 днів тому
FOR THE LIFE OF ME--I get why someone who might be lonely/desperate could fall for a romance scam. But if you haven't met the person in real life and taken the time to get to know them and do a background check, why in god's name would you send them money? Why would you send them money at all??? I don't give men money--period. And if they ask, they are gone. Period. And I damn sure wouldn't give a man I never met money. Jeezus ladies...use your heads and don't let your hearts run away with your common sense!
@vicster52 12 днів тому
If you meet a person online and all they do is ask for money, that's your clue to run.
@conqueror03 9 днів тому
This still happens today, the show Catfish has people giving thousands of dollars to people they never met, some never even heard their voice and for years!
@nonabliss 10 днів тому
Anybody who truly cares for you will not ask you for massive amounts of money. IMO, being broke is far worse than loneliness.
@Heather-xz8fk 10 днів тому
I got scammed by an old friend from high school. Our mothers were best friends. Turned out he was a liar and a thief. Be careful of old friends from the past who have a financial crisis.
@dianeshelley1282 12 днів тому
NEVER believe anyone whose saying they love you and wants to get married when they've never even met you!!! Even then it takes time to get to know someone. And NEVER GIVE A MAN YOUR MONEY!!!!
@jeanetteschock4744 12 днів тому
Wow. 2 million dear lord
@paulgdlmx 12 днів тому
A fool and her money are soon parted.
@mtnshelby7059 12 днів тому
These victims know they are being scammed but their loneliness is so vast they would rather gamble their life's savings than lose that daily dopamine dose the scammer gives them. It's an addiction. And yes. I'm an older single woman and there is absolutely no way some online Romeo would get a dime out of me. Fill your life with goodness that doesn't depend on romantic infatuation. That's your armor.
@ericb8413 12 днів тому
You’re right. They get the hit of dopamine just like any addiction provides. Very sad.
@AsRandomAsNumbers 12 днів тому
Someone on the other side of the world is now just filthy extremely wealthy.
@somethinggood-sy1ed 12 днів тому
Probably not some of these scammers are victims themselves
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
@@somethinggood-sy1ed wrong.
@UncleDavesKitchen 12 днів тому
So sorry this keeps happening to good people that want a relationship. The internet has made a big world small. We lock our doors but open up our homes to crooks through the computer anyway. It's not only the guy outside your house that's scary but the ones you let in via the internet, too.
@ericb8413 12 днів тому
Well said!
@GradKat 10 днів тому
How on earth could you send two MILLION dollars to a person whom you’d never met? I hope I am never that lonely.
@darcy5761 8 днів тому
Or gullible
@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 6 днів тому
Get. A. Dog.
@laurawalker4042 10 днів тому
I would even question a good friend asking me for money
@yolandaneely6431 12 днів тому
You never met him!!! He was a stranger!! Ladies love is free!!! A true man never ask a lady for money!! Thank God my father raised 4 daughters the old-fashioned way l. With high standards and morals. I had someone asked me for money on a dating site. My response was that if you could not afford to date, you shouldn't be dating.😂
@maritesshoy317 12 днів тому
Count your blessings but take your victim-blaming shaming elsewhere. Comments like that keep ppl from sharing their stories & fools stay ignorant.
@teacherlisa163 9 днів тому
@@maritesshoy317 Agree.
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
You were lucky. Not all women are raised by fathers like yours or mothers who weren't door mats.
@newmexicoballer3867 12 днів тому
Learn how to be selfish with your money and you'll be better off.
@Ava2969ny 10 днів тому
Learn how to be selfish with your time as well. If an individual cannot meet in person because he has to take a business trip or some other unverifiable reason, that should be a red flag too.
@Joycat510 12 днів тому
So sad. This is why I will never go on a dating app. I’d rather be single the rest of my life.
@thenightporter 12 днів тому
Same! But this can even happen to someone you meet the way people traditionally met.
@debbiec4224 10 днів тому
Same! Amen..
@NemeanLion- 10 днів тому
You can go on a dating app, you just have to use your brain.
@RippleDrop. 8 днів тому
Childhood trauma of lack of love. There are severe consequences to that. This situation is a manifestation of that.
@thomcarr7021 12 днів тому
Most people are lonely to start with, especially older people. The internet causes people to be even more so. And "romance" on the internet is really people "falling in love" with an image in their mind. Then they fool themselves into believing what they want, not what is real.
@lindaabraham8715 12 днів тому
You are right. I am 71, and since the age of menopause, and more and more, the wise person has to assume that anyone who shows any interest in you only does so in hopes of gain.... They want something.
@thomcarr7021 12 днів тому
@@lindaabraham8715 Right, so find the person who wants companionship.
@newtrollaccount384 12 днів тому
@@lindaabraham8715 I agree and I'm forty nine. I've felt that way for a few years. Even if it's not financial gain they may want emotional support and don't really offer anything.
@Hautecakes90210 12 днів тому
I don’t understand anyone that would give money to a stranger.
@katie0303 9 днів тому
This is incredibly sad. She obviously was vulnerable and naive. Shame of the piece of trash that did this to her.
@darrellyelity3648 11 днів тому
The thing about this situation is that how are you in a relationship with someone who you never met in person let alone spend time with in person.
@jennifercassidy256 12 днів тому
I went through this too. It's heartbreaking & I still blame myself.
@PamDubier 12 днів тому
I’m so sorry.
@franciet99 12 днів тому
❤❤❤
@RebRoseland 12 днів тому
The person scamming you makes a living scamming woman and maybe men. It is their job. It is all ages, both genders. They all have niches that they become an expert at. Once that money is sent electronically you pretty much can’t get it back. And she was lucky they didn’t go further and have her involved in the actual scamming itself.
@hildeschmid8400 12 днів тому
@jennifercassidy256 I went through this, too, but when he started to ask for money I walked away. That doesn't make me smart; it made me lucky. It's so easy to get pulled into this.
@RebRoseland 12 днів тому
@@hildeschmid8400 very lucky.
@fredblake6135 12 днів тому
Sorry that this lady got "loved-bomb" and manipulated by an emotional con artist.
@christineclabaugh2652 11 днів тому
I hope she’ll come to realize how much freedom she actually does have, regardless of money.
@silvermainecoons3269 9 днів тому
Why would the secret service be involved in romance scams?
@darcy5761 8 днів тому
That was my question!
@linnieroots8223 7 днів тому
Yeah that sounds like another layer of the scam.
@jeffmpvd7689 12 днів тому
I feel bad for her, she is courageous to speak out. There is a big hole on the telling of this story. How in the world was she convinced to send someone her life savings in Asia?
@AmethystEyes 12 днів тому
I remember hearing someone say, know what you are hungry for because that is what might lead you into falling for a lie. (I’m not blaming her at all, I just think it is a good thing to know).
@gointothedogs4634 6 днів тому
In other words, do your personal work and know yourself/love yourself. That way you won't be a target for scammers
@maryseman7019 10 днів тому
A "successful international businessman" should never need your money. Personally, I would never give my money to any man. If he has the gall to ask you for your money, tell him to take a hike. Remember, a fool and her money are soon parted, so don't be a patsy.
@richardw3470 12 днів тому
These people--men, women, young, old. He wasn't a stranger, he wrote her a poem - she should type it into a computer because it'll probably tell her who wrote it and when.
@studleyjb3172 9 днів тому
That's one pricey poem. There once was a man from Nantucket , who tried to sit in a bucket, someone finish for me, I can't finish you see, I put down my pen and said #$@$ $%.😂 Quick, send me a million dollars........honey.
@Sashazur 8 днів тому
These days you can get an AI to write you a decent original poem in 5 seconds for free. I just asked ChatGPT for “write me a short love poem to a lady with green eyes” and here’s what I got: In emerald depths, her gaze does lie, A verdant hue beneath the sky. Each glance, a whisper of nature's grace, In her green eyes, I find my solace. With every blink, the world takes flight, In her eyes, I lose myself each night. Her gaze, a forest where dreams abide, In her green eyes, love's secrets reside. So let me drown in that verdant sea, Where love's purest essence flows free. For in her eyes, I find my home, With her, my heart will always roam.
@gointothedogs4634 5 днів тому
@@studleyjb3172 he called women Honey, and asked them for money, but all he got from them was Fuc#-it. I see we're on the same thoughts!
@maxinef6654 12 днів тому
Wow. That’s the highest I’ve heard now. I thought the two women that gave a million dollars each to romance scammers were bad. Sad to say that this scam will never go away. 😢
@Chad_Max 11 днів тому
Lmao these highly educated women are cutting payments for 50k plus to someone they’ve never met before after weeks of being fed poetry lines…
@jolyfrye1871 11 днів тому
Even if I have met u. Don't start asking me 4 money. I am not a bank. 🏦 If u cannot stand on your own 2 feet 👣, then we should not B friends.
@a.ashley5292 20 годин тому
Them boomers be crazy.
@user-rk7rl2dh9q 9 днів тому
It not psychological manipulation. It’s stupid is as stupid does.
@Liz-wz8dh 9 днів тому
Definitely be suspicious of someone who keeps gushing over how much they like you in the early stages. That's lovebombing. There's no way I'm sending a guy money either.
@dont6441 12 днів тому
Men or women in love tend to drop their guard and do things they would never otherwise do. If you've ever been in love, you know what that means.
@SanFranDentist94301 11 днів тому
Nah
@germanshepherd6638 12 днів тому
Honey , you don’t need a man you need to focus on your golden years
@willissudweeks1050 12 днів тому
A bit late for that advice. 😆
@LS-kg6my 12 днів тому
This is exactly right! This is the core of the problem
@user-nv8nt6gm2d 11 днів тому
Some ppl can’t move on from their youth.
@63artemisia63 11 днів тому
@germanshepherd6638 You need to rewatch. She started her story with saving all that money for retirement.
@lindatohara6438 11 днів тому
Amen she can have mine and all the work he comes along with!! Lolz 😂
@Thedrisin155 11 днів тому
My heart goes out to her. We have to be fiercely protective of our money, our children and our freedom. We don’t get second chances when we are old. It’s only 1 life.
@Cristinact 7 днів тому
Poor woman... but there are PLENTY of similar cases out there to be learned from. Still, we all say "not me" at least once in a lifetime. Tough lesson.
@Sarabella68 10 днів тому
I think I'm jaded. I find it a huge red flag if I'm asked for money.
@iako... 9 днів тому
You don't understand what you are talking about if you have never been through some kind of scam. Don't be so generous with your advises. Worked all her life and lost it at this age, poor lady. I hope she finds a way out of this.
@peggygreeby5065 9 днів тому
How can an intelligent career woman be this naive? Never meeting this guy she hands over two and a half million dollars? If you're that lonely get a cat or a dog.
@user-dc8sp2hp2v 9 днів тому
This shows how the need to feel loved and needed can override our rational minds. This has nothing to do with intelligence. It's much more profound.......
@lindaabraham8715 12 днів тому
Here is the thing: The man is the one with the money. If he asks a woman for money, even one dollar, he is on the take; he is not a natural man. Never give a man money, never give a man a ride, never give a man a roof. This is his job... a man who thinks that the woman should do for him is not a man. The woman gives the pleasure of her womanly company and that is all. Think all you want about equality, but if a woman sticks by these rules she will stay out of trouble.
@soutinefan 11 днів тому
I agree only up to a certain point. Older men and women who are both decent people and both of limited means can enjoy great times together by splitting costs of dinners, tickets, gas, whatever. Sensible, honest, fair people can have fun this way, and should.
@tf4606 11 днів тому
Well, that's certainly thinking inside the box! Would love to know more about this natural man stuff... going to pleasure myself now with womanly company.
@user82938 11 днів тому
lol "the pleasure of her womanly company." You mean constant complaining?
@ellebell9139 9 днів тому
@@user82938woman complain because men do this thing where when a woman is in a good mood, a man will sneer at her.... So. A bad mood cant be ruined. You get what you get
@user82938 9 днів тому
@@ellebell9139 lol that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
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