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in Romance Scam
emergencyservicestimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau received nearly 9,000 romance fraud reports totalling £94.7 million last year, an 8.4 percent increase from the previous year, with victims losing an average of £10,700 each. Romance fraud involves criminals building trust over extended periods (often a year or more) through dating sites and other platforms before manipulating victims into sending money for travel, gifts, loans, or investments, causing significant financial and emotional damage. The report indicates that while nearly half of all age groups are vulnerable, men aged 50-79 and women aged 30-79 report the highest numbers, and authorities emphasize that the crime is likely underreported and encourage victims to come
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about rising romance scams on dating apps and social media, which have surged nationally with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023—a 1,420% increase from 2016. Long Island resident Connie Rotolo, 71, transferred $475,000 to an online scammer she met on Zoosk in 2020 who posed as an engineer and later claimed to be in danger in the Philippines, leaving her dealing with financial and emotional fallout four years later. The scams typically target vulnerable, lonely individuals and often involve fake romantic connections used to lure victims into fraudulent investments or
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experiences some form of elder abuse, with an estimated $28.3 billion lost annually to elder fraud scams. In 2023, Kentucky's FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received 908 complaints from individuals over 60 reporting $12.8 million in losses, more than any other age group combined. The Justice Department brought nearly 300 criminal and civil actions against over 650 defendants in the past year who stole more than $1.5 billion from 2.4
localnewsonly.com
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI Dallas released findings from the 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing that elder fraud complaints increased 14% with reported losses totaling over $3.4 billion, averaging $33,915 per victim, with Texas accounting for over 7,000 complaints and $278.3 million in losses. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported elder fraud type in 2023, followed by personal data breaches, romance scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and investment scams. The FBI identified a formulaic tech support scam pattern where victims' computers are frozen with pop-ups claiming illegal activity, then
emergencyservicestimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau received nearly 9,000 reports of romance fraud last year totalling £94.7m, representing an 8.4% increase from the previous year, despite romance fraud being significantly underreported. This crime type targets vulnerable individuals who form emotional connections with scammers posing as romantic partners before being manipulated into sending money.
weareiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Iowans lost over $16 million to scams in the past year, with FBI data showing this is likely underreported and mirrors rising national trends among seniors. Investment scams pose the greatest financial threat to older adults, while newer schemes like phantom hacker scams convince victims to convert assets to precious metals and cash for supposed protection. The FBI advises victims to contact their financial institutions immediately to freeze assets, avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify government officials independently, and report incidents to law enforcement.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults through deceptive text messages and calls impersonating government agencies, family members, and romantic interests, exploiting the belief that seniors have substantial savings and are less tech-savvy. The article identifies three main fraud types—government impersonation, family-related, and romance scams—and advises seniors to avoid clicking links, sharing personal information, or taking immediate action; instead, they should verify claims directly with banks or family members using known contact numbers. With 9.22 million Filipinos aged 60 and above, educating elders about these scams is critical, as even unreported fraud can be devastating and leave victims in vulnerable financial positions.
midhudsonnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, Sullivan County officials warned of increased fraud incidents since COVID-19, highlighting common scams including romance scams, lottery schemes, and impersonations of Social Security, the IRS, and banks that pressure victims to send money via prepaid gift cards. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024 (up nearly $300 million year-over-year), with 2023 reporting $3.4 billion in total losses and a 14 percent increase in elder fraud complaints. Officials advised recognizing warning signs such as isolated elderly individuals engaging in frequent online or phone
cobbcountycourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% that year, though actual losses are likely underreported due to embarrassment and incomplete age data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be more trusting, have financial assets, and may be less comfortable with technology; tech-support scams are most common, while investment scams cause the largest losses. Prevention through education on identifying scams, reporting crimes, and building awareness is critical to combating this growing epidemic and mitigating its traumatic psychological effects on victims.
lakeonews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides an overview of common scams affecting Okeechobee residents, including account hacking, impersonation fraud, and romance scams. A local man reported his Facebook and Instagram accounts were hacked in June, with the perpetrator attempting to solicit money from his contacts, while another victim lost approximately $200 to someone impersonating a bank employee. The article outlines warning signs and protective measures recommended by the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, emphasizing that scammers use urgency, impersonation, and pressure tactics to obtain personal information and money.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini pose deception risks to users because their human-like conversational abilities make them more persuasive than traditional websites. Users should adopt new verification behaviors by cross-checking chatbot information across multiple trusted sources rather than relying on a single AI response, as these systems can generate false or misleading information.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Educational Event/Awareness Program
State Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assemblyman Ed Flood are hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Program at Brightview Port Jefferson Senior Living on June 20 to educate seniors and caregivers about fraud prevention. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, over 101,000 seniors reported fraud with average losses of $33,915 per person, and those over 60 lost $3.4 billion total in 2023, with tech support scams, data breaches, romance scams, and investment scams being the most common types. The program, developed in collaboration with the
vermontbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2023 analysis of Vermont cybercrimes found that investment scams are the costliest, with victims averaging $162,265 in losses (22 victims, $3.6M total), followed by cryptocurrency wallet scams at $133,133 per victim (28 victims, $3.7M total). Vermont residents reported 708 cybercrimes statewide in 2023, resulting in total losses of approximately $13.6 million, with an average loss of $19,248 per victim across all crime types.
panhandlenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town, West Virginia, lost nearly $2 million to his caretaker Sam Bunner, who used a power of attorney to drain the victim's bank, investment accounts, and sell his real estate while exploiting the elderly man's cognitive decline; Bunner received a 10-year federal prison sentence. The opinion piece by U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld outlines common elder fraud schemes in West Virginia, including caretaker theft, romance scams, tech support schemes, and family member theft, and recommends protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, carefully granting power of attorney, using tru
wxxv25.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wiggins Police Department reported an increase in electronic scams targeting community residents, including finance, romance, credit card, and internet fraud schemes conducted via phone calls, emails, and social media. Scammers typically request personal information and demand payment through bank transfers, credit cards, or postal services, though legitimate federal agencies and government entities never solicit money through these channels. Residents are advised to contact the Wiggins Police Department at (601) 928-5444 before responding to suspicious requests or sending money.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
A White Settlement, Texas police officer stopped a scam targeting an elderly woman who had been tricked by a Chase Bank impersonator into withdrawing $40,000 and depositing $23,900 into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The scammer used spoofed caller ID and threats of arrest—tactics common in pig butchering scams—before arranging transportation to a bank and convenience store. Authorities intervened before further losses occurred and are working to recover the deposited funds.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging hosted a community awareness event featuring experts and a romance scam survivor who lost $39,000 to an online perpetrator named "Tony." The event highlighted the most common financial exploitation tactics targeting older adults, including gift card and cryptocurrency demands, and emphasized that isolation and emotional manipulation are key vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Experts advised older adults to be cautious of unsolicited contacts, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected abuse to PCA's 24/7 helpline at 215-765-9040.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases in the United States increased significantly in 2023, with over 100,000 scam complaints resulting in nearly $3.5 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the prior year. Kentucky residents reported over 900 instances of elderly scams in 2023 totaling $13 million, with 2024 tracking at $12.7 million already. The FBI advises seniors to review financial statements, shred personal documents, avoid clicking unknown links, and contact authorities or trusted family members if contacted by unfamiliar people, as scammers increasingly use tech support schemes, romance fraud, and data breaches.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean victim lost 70 million won to an international romance and investment scam that used AI-generated deepfakes of Elon Musk to establish trust before soliciting cryptocurrency transfers. The "pig slaughter" scam is part of a global criminal operation involving 120,000-220,000 forced workers across Myanmar and Cambodia who perpetrate phishing, romance, investment, and shopping scams targeting victims worldwide, with Chinese authorities blocking $157 billion in fraud since 2021—larger than Ethiopia's GDP.
yen.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian musician Hajia4Reall pleaded guilty to romance scams totaling over $2 million and was arrested in the UK in November 2022, subsequently extradited to the US for prosecution. In her sentencing plea, she named the father of her daughter as the person who introduced her to the scam scheme and requested a three-month sentence instead of the potential five-year term, citing the impact on her child's welfare. She was prosecuted in the US and faced sentencing after her February 2024 guilty plea.
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Scottish nurse was defrauded of £62,000 by an online scammer impersonating Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice after the fraudster contacted her following a Facebook comment she left on his page. The conman gradually manipulated her into sending £1,500 weekly in vouchers under false pretenses (including fake Strictly passes), then escalated to blackmail and harassment with threatening messages when she refused to continue. The victim reported the case to Police Scotland and Pernice's management, but the fraudster has not been traced, and the ordeal has significantly impacted her mental health and confidence.
wmbfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's annual Scam Tracker identifies investment scams, romance scams, and home improvement scams as the top threats to older adults, with those aged 55-64 most frequently paying scammers via credit cards, prepaid gift cards, and checks. Home improvement scams are particularly prevalent in the Grand Strand area, especially following natural disasters when fraudulent contractors pose as legitimate businesses. The report provides guidance on scam avoidance and victim resources.
azbigmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with AARP estimates suggesting adults over 60 lose more than $28 billion annually to fraud. Older adults are targeted for their access to substantial savings, available time, and sometimes limited online safety knowledge, with common scams including gift card/refund schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Protective measures include verifying communications, guarding personal information, remaining skeptical of unsolicited money requests, and maintaining open communication with trusted networks and caretakers.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" romance scams operating from Cambodia generate billions of dollars globally by building fake relationships with victims before requesting money for fake investments. The episode investigates whether these cybercrime operations truly generate revenue equivalent to half of Cambodia's GDP, examining how researchers calculate the scale of these criminal enterprises.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate, exploiting the victim's declining cognitive abilities; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article notes that West Virginia seniors are particularly vulnerable to both caretaker/family fraud and stranger scams (including tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes), and recommends protective measures such as resisting urgency, avoiding online money transfers, carefully granting power of attorney, using trusts with restrictions
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Stephen Carr from Ontario, Canada, lost nearly $500,000 of his retirement savings to a fake cryptocurrency trading platform he discovered through a YouTube video between October 2022 and January 2023. The scam operated as a simulation showing false profits of $1.3 million, which Carr realized was fraudulent when asked to pay $150,000 to access his funds; he now faces selling his home to rebuild his life. The article also highlights similar investment and impersonation scams targeting online users, emphasizing the need for skepticism toward unsolicited online investment offers and remote access requests.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have increased in the Philippines and other Asian countries, targeting vulnerable individuals seeking relationships through dating apps. The Facebook community page Online Alerto provides educational resources listing red flags—such as rapid emotional declarations, requests for money, avoidance of video calls, and pressure to switch to private messaging platforms—and protective measures including reverse image searches, video verification, and meeting only in public places with trusted contacts informed.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Hajia4Reall, arrested in the UK in November 2022 and extradited to the United States, pleaded for a three-month jail sentence and deportation while testifying that she was introduced to internet fraud and romance scams by Loveman Allison, whom she dated from 2015 to 2019. Allison is expected to appear in court to respond to her allegations. The case involves charges related to internet fraud schemes.
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, used a power of attorney to drain his bank and investment accounts and sell his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that seniors in West Virginia face significant vulnerability to both caregiver fraud and stranger scams (tech support, romance, and government impersonation schemes), with recent AI advances making these scams harder to detect. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting urgency, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, securing valuables, and carefully limiting power of attorney authority to protect vulnerable adults.
weirtondailytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate. The article outlines common elder fraud threats in West Virginia—including caretaker theft, romance and tech support scams from strangers, and family member exploitation—and provides protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited online money transfers, and securing valuables and documents when in-home care is needed.
timesleaderonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Senior citizens in West Virginia are frequently targeted by both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and trusted individuals (family members, caregivers) who exploit their longevity, savings, and trusting nature. To protect against such fraud, individuals should resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sending money to online contacts, carefully consider power of attorney arrangements, and secure valuables and financial documents from in-home caregi
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Maryland grandfather, Dennis Jones, died by suicide in March after falling victim to a "pig butchering" scam in which he was deceived by a person posing as "Jessica" on Facebook into sending tens of thousands of dollars for fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Jones lost his life savings to the scammers and became severely depressed over his financial losses and shame, ultimately taking his own life just hours before his children planned to help him recover from the fraud. The scam, reportedly run primarily by Chinese gangs, exploits victims through fake online romantic relationships on social media and dating platforms before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes and phantom properties.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer group Which? warns that "pig-butchering" romance scams are among the most convincing frauds seen this year, with victims losing thousands of pounds through fake investment schemes. Additional emerging threats include fake missing person appeals on social media, phishing emails impersonating PayPal, and malware-laden apps that compromise smartphone security.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A MakerDAO governance delegate lost $11 million in aEthMKR and Pendle USDe tokens on June 23 after falling victim to a phishing scam that tricked them into signing multiple permit signatures, enabling scammers to access and drain the wallet. The incident highlights the growing prevalence of "approval phishing" attacks in crypto, where victims unknowingly grant scammers permission to transfer their digital assets. Phishing scams drained $300 million from 320,000 users in 2023 alone, with some individual cases exceeding $24 million in losses.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
A MakerDAO governance delegate lost $11 million in cryptocurrency tokens (aEthMKR and Pendle USDe) in a phishing scam on June 23 after signing multiple fraudulent signatures that granted scammers access to their wallet. The incident highlights the growing threat of "approval phishing," a technique where victims are tricked into authorizing transactions that allow criminals to drain funds, with phishing scams having stolen $300 million from over 320,000 users in 2023 alone.
wng.org
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. State Department released an annual report highlighting how human traffickers are exploiting encrypted messaging, digital currencies, social media, and online platforms (dating apps, gaming sites, fake job websites) to recruit and exploit victims, while a growing trend involves trafficking people for organ harvesting. Law enforcement and NGOs are countering these efforts using artificial intelligence, data analytics, and monitoring of online platforms, with recent international operations resulting in multiple arrests and seizures of trafficking infrastructure. The report notes that traffickers target not only women and girls but also children, with thousands of teenagers annually becoming victims of sextortion scams demanding money in exchange for not publicizing sexual images.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town lost nearly $2 million to Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at the American Legion, obtained power of attorney, and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts while selling his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that West Virginia seniors face significant risks from both caretakers and strangers perpetrating scams including tech support schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, and family member theft, with artificial intelligence making these schemes increasingly difficult to detect. Protective measures include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, limiting power of attorney authority,
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Milford Police Department reported a surge in scam complaints involving multiple fraud tactics, including impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for arrest warrants or court fines, online romance scams, remote computer access schemes, and fake family bail requests—with scammers typically requesting payment via cryptocurrency ATMs, gift cards, or prepaid cards. Police emphasized that legitimate agencies never request money online or by phone and urged residents to contact authorities before sending any funds.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ontario woman nearly lost $6,000 after a Facebook Marketplace scammer sent her a fraudulent link disguised as an e-transfer payment for a $40 item she was selling; the fake link redirected her to a phishing website designed to mimic her bank, where she unknowingly entered her banking credentials. After her bank completed a 10-day investigation, the victim received a full refund and warned others to be cautious when selling online, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics to create convincing fake banking websites.
heraldmailmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million after his caregaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank, investment, and real estate accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. West Virginia experiences high rates of elder fraud involving both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and known individuals (caregivers, family members), targeting the state's large senior population. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, limiting power of attorney authority, securing valuables during in-home care, and reporting suspected sc
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns of romance scams targeting people on social media and dating platforms, where scammers impersonate military servicemembers stationed overseas using stolen photos and identities. The key indicator of a scam is when an online romantic interest requests money through any method (gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency), and victims should verify profiles through reverse image searches and report suspected scammers to the FTC and relevant platforms.
elpasoinc.com
· 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old El Paso resident lost approximately $10,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam impersonating Microsoft, during which scammers convinced her she had fraudulent Amazon charges and obtained her personal financial information. El Paso experienced 93 elder fraud reports totaling $6.2 million in losses this year, with the FBI noting that common schemes include investment scams, tech support scams, government impersonation, and romance scams—many originating from organized crime rings in Eastern Europe and Africa. The FBI reports that nationwide, seniors over 60 filed 101,068 fraud complaints in 2023 resulting in $3.
wheninmanila.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are rapidly increasing globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, affecting both direct victims and those trafficked into perpetrating the scams. The Online Alerto Facebook community provides free resources to help people recognize red flags—such as rapid declarations of love, requests to move communication off dating apps, avoidance of in-person meetings, and requests for money—and offers protective strategies including reverse image searches, video call verification, and careful social media scrutiny. Users are advised to maintain skepticism about offers that seem too good to be true and to never share financial information or inappropriate photos with unverified online contacts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Adedayo John, a 35-year-old from Texas, was sentenced to seven years in prison for leading a money laundering and bank fraud ring that stole over $19 million from more than 50 victims through business email compromise and romance fraud schemes targeting elderly individuals. John directed conspirators to open fraudulent bank accounts, approximately $4.5 million in proceeds passed through accounts he controlled, and he was ordered to forfeit over $4.5 million and pay nearly $1.6 million in restitution. In total, 11 defendants pleaded guilty in the scheme, which collectively resulted in over $25 million in forfeitures and $8
innercitypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Gina Guy was charged with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with romance scams targeting elderly victims in the Southern District of New York. She was released on June 25 on her own signature with a $250,000 bond, pending the addition of a financially-responsible co-signer within one week.
malaya.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams are surging in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, with perpetrators using dating apps to quickly build emotional connections, move victims to private channels, and solicit money or personal information for potential blackmail. The Facebook awareness group Online Alerto educates users on red flags—including rapid declarations of love, financial requests, inconsistent information, and reluctance to meet in person—and recommends protective measures such as reverse image searching and cautious information sharing. These scams affect both direct victims and individuals coerced into participating in fraudulent schemes.
manhattanda.org
· 2025-12-08
Nelson Counne, 71, was sentenced to 4-to-8 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than $1.8 million from at least five women through romance and investment scams between 2012 and 2021. Using fake identities and posing as a wealthy retired art dealer, Counne met victims through online dating apps, gained their trust, and persuaded them to invest in fraudulent opportunities (including purported Alibaba and tech startup deals), then used their money to appear wealthy to new victims and repay those who grew suspicious. The Manhattan District Attorney emphasizes that romance scams remain a persistent threat and urges potential victims to report such crimes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two women—Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48, Florida) and Gina Guy (37, New York)—were arrested and charged with defrauding at least 16 elderly victims of over $7 million through romance scams spanning from 2009 to 2024. The defendants gained victims' trust through in-person meetings and online dating platforms, then convinced them to transfer money under false pretenses (fake businesses, organ transplants), which they laundered through shell company accounts and spent on luxury items including vehicles, jewelry, and a boat. Both face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, each
siliconeer.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with California accounting for over $620 million across 11,000+ reports, and monolingual Chinese seniors in the Bay Area facing particularly high risk. Common scams targeting elders include investment fraud (especially cryptocurrency), tech support scams, romance scams, and impersonation schemes (often posing as government officials), with typical victims losing over $33,000. Experts recommend immediate reporting to financial institutions and law enforcement (FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI), noting that shame, language barriers, and fear of retaliation prevent many victims—particularly Asian Americans—from coming forwar
sciotovalleyguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chillicothe, Ohio resident lost $6,864 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with someone claiming to be Sandra Oliverez from Brazil who needed visa extension funds. The victim never met the person in person or video chatted, despite receiving purported visa documents and photos of flowers he sent, before reporting the fraud to the Ross County Sheriff's Office in June 2024. Authorities are investigating whether Sandra Oliverez is a real identity or fabricated persona used in the scam.