Widow's tragic story sheds light on romance scam epidemic

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Laura Kowal was looking for love online and ended up being conned out of $1.5 million before her mysterious death. A year-long CBS News investigation found that experts believe law enforcement isn't keeping pace with romance scammers like the ones who victimized Kowal. Correspondent Jim Axelrod reports the first of a four-part series, "Anything for Love," a look inside the nation's romance scam epidemic. [Don't miss Part 2 of the investigative series "Anything for Love" on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell," Monday, April 22.]
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Опубликовано:

20 апр 2024

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Комментарии : 1,2 тыс.

@lisaa1477 22 дня назад

This is the same generation that told their children to never talk to strangers, yet here they are sending their life saving to them. Blows my mind. My sincere condolences for this family and their loss.

@joanbelmont5450 21 день назад

My thoughts exactly.

@zazabrown732 19 дней назад

Lol good point

@I.Love.My.Border.Collie 17 дней назад

Good point. 😮

@angelmission 26 дней назад

I'm old school. I don't give money to a man. Not one red cent! So, I don't get these women and men giving total strangers thousands of dollars!??? Baffling! Give it to your FAMILY! Give it to an ANIMAL Shelter! Give it to a WOMAN'S shelter!

@The-Oneness11 25 дней назад

When I was young, a boyfriend of mine asked to borrow money and he never paid me back. Since than an important principle in my life is to never give men money.

@Crystalrenee481 25 дней назад

I hear you girl!😒

@auaiao9 25 дней назад

It happens to men too.

@auaiao9 25 дней назад

@@The-Oneness11 So you'd be ok if a woman borrows money and doesn't pay it back?

@angelmission 25 дней назад

@@auaiao9 I said, "and men"

@TheSouthIsHot 26 дней назад

Twenty years ago someone online sweet talked me. As soon as he asked for money, I blocked that evil fool.

@tiffyjade690 24 дня назад

Good for you 👍

@Mr.Coffee20255 23 дня назад

😂

@birdlynn417 22 дня назад

LOL!!

@smith899 19 дней назад

Nowadays, I’d be afraid someone could get too much info about me if I talked to someone I didn’t know.

@RosaDoraRico 18 дней назад

Same !

@ksmith2852 26 дней назад

Women over 50 are looking for love. Men over 50 are looking for a Nurse and a Purse.

@dexterwestin3747 26 дней назад

They are both looking for the same thing but a man over 50 is looking for a woman under 50.

@fatherfigure5 26 дней назад

No we're not. I love talking to a woman who remembers the 80's..

@eileensyl9089 25 дней назад

@@dexterwestin3747Significantly under 50.

@newtrollaccount384 25 дней назад

@@dexterwestin3747 But they aren't likely to find that unless they are exceptionally attractive or well to do. So they take what they can get. They are usually draining.

@marzymarrz5172 25 дней назад

Aint that the truth.

@awesomemark1234100 26 дней назад

There is a special place in hell for the people responsible.

@LizHolst 26 дней назад

Yes indeed! And not soon enough will they go there!

@aknetworkedit 26 дней назад

I heard hell doesn't exist.

@willissudweeks1050 26 дней назад

Yeah the people who fund criminal organizations by being stupid.

@willissudweeks1050 26 дней назад

9:18 Ok so she was a scammer herself

@Thumbhit1 26 дней назад

There is no hell, heaven/hell are human concepts to fool the sheep. Now the religious grifters make a lot of money. Sick.

@grumpyoldlady_rants 26 дней назад

I don’t understand how people are still falling victim to these scams. Common sense would tell you that if someone you never even met face to face asks for money, it’s a huge red flag. Absolutely heartbreaking.

@Carolynnin 26 дней назад

Do not judge the victims! Scammers prey on widows specifically because of their vulnerability. My mother was scammed out of 20K after her partner died.

@kountryedge 26 дней назад

Especially younger aged, I can understand the elderly. People need to gain control of their elderly phones and place a scam blocker, like I have. No number rings through that are not in my contacts, otherwise, leave a message....they don't.

@FarBear-by6rw 26 дней назад

@@kountryedge sweetie that's a different kind of scam not romance scams

@FreeSpirit47 26 дней назад

@@Carolynnin The people who were successfully scammed are volunteers. Age is no excuse. Bein the target of a scammer is a matter of chance, sending money to someone you never met in person is a matter of choice. It's not just elderly people who are successfully scammed, it's all ages, both genders, people in many different socio-economic situations. Even highly educated people. It's just a stereo type foisted on older people while in reality, scammers only care if they can squeeze money out of their targets.

@kountryedge 26 дней назад

@@FarBear-by6rw but the same things can be done with romance scams, by blocking certain apps and websites.

@Charmcity199 23 дня назад

This happened to my aunt. She lost more than 350k, lost her home, her retirement, etc. She now living with her ex-husband’s new family, in a room they built in their garage. She’s in her 70s and living in a garage. So sad

@devilskitty5032 22 дня назад

so stupid ... no one could do that with me... never ever

@qutielove2208 20 дней назад

If I was her I'd rather go into old folk's home retirement apartment condo I'll have the government pay for it or I'll rather go to the shelter and work my way to get government housing

@davinastanton3865 20 дней назад

Charmcity I am so sorry this happened to your Aunt. Nobody is safe in these dating sites. 😕

@RosebudBB 20 дней назад

@Charmcity199 - She's lucky to have that ex-husband and his new family!🙏

@StampitisDP 19 дней назад

Now he has 2😂😂😂

@teddyjam8134 26 дней назад

She was worth 1.3 million and died broke. All she had to do was stop, and tell her daughter. I don't get why she kept sending money. Sad story.

@tonymontana4284 26 дней назад

Also they have the worst grasp of English language if you ask them "What part of NYC or Ohio are you from ?" they reply "America !" I play with the scammers sometimes for kicks and there is no way people don't know they are scammers on the other end.

@dubaiedge 26 дней назад

Because she had hope. It's the sunken cost fallacy ppl fall into. Even after I told my neighbor he was being scammed, & I reported it, HE SENT MORE TO THE SCAMMER. Insane. But there's insane ppl out there, that's nothing new.

@___beyondhorizon4664 26 дней назад

@@tonymontana4284 For lonely people, suddenly this new person called you honey, sweetie etc brought so much hope to a relationship. I would feel suspicious when strangers get close to me so soon, and question their motive! I think if her family is closed to her on a daily basis, her daughter would have detected sudden changes in her behavior. It's why a close family helps in any situation.

@JK-lp6uw 26 дней назад

@ps7348 at least they let the victims think that. 😢

@gasmith7486 26 дней назад

It’s an addiction just like drugs. They thrive on the high of rOmAnCe 🙄🙄🙄

@mandybradley3079 26 дней назад

I had an AVON lady who died, and her husband took over selling her Avon. He let a woman move in with him he met selling AVON. He came home from work and everything he had in his house was gone. She stole all his dead wife’s diamond jewelry. She stole credit cards, checks. He was devastated. Being alone is frightening to some people. He was crying when he told me his story. That was 1999. It’s worse now.

@joannepackus5736 26 дней назад

It happen to my Uncle when he had a stroke. His Sisters tried to get Power of Attorney but it was denied. He died with nothing. The lady cleaned him out!

@relaunchinglife 26 дней назад

What is wrong with people? What part of them tells themselves this is OK? Do they not have parents or grandparents? Would they wish this on them? Sorry I'm really just ranting on a keyboard. This makes me so upset.

@bodaciousandunapologetic6209 25 дней назад

😮

@tanyatanya891 22 дня назад

Thanks for posting that. We need to learn these stories. Damn.

@Mr.Coffee20255 21 день назад

Dang that sucks. For me it's like this, if we are not on the same page she can miss me. Just smile and keep on walking.

@yinghuynh2280 23 дня назад

When a man askes for money or anything relates to money from you, that's a sign to get out of the relationship.

@justsimplygoodcooking3176 19 дней назад

That's not necessarily true. But it is true when you don't actually know the person

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

@@justsimplygoodcooking3176 no, they're right. Means a BANK won't give them.money. That's all you need to know.

@rubyharris4422 19 дней назад

Don't consider it a relationship when you've never even met.

@Mr.Coffee20255 13 дней назад

When he asked for money tell him to earn it lol. Tell him go mow my lawn and pick then weeds 🤣

@charliej766 26 дней назад

It’s wild that you have to warn people not to send complete strangers their money. Sad.

@Michadoo 26 дней назад

A lot of Boomers have dementia. Money and dementia.

@tonymontana4284 26 дней назад

Loneliness is a serious problem.

@Blessed-tn1wd 26 дней назад

@@tonymontana4284 It is!

@malaikamillions 26 дней назад

I truly wish there were a way for kind gentle people to meet other kind gentle people. I know others exist. I’m a recluse for a reason. I embrace the simple joys in life every day. I enjoy my own company. The only time I really notice being alone, is when I think: the only thing that could make this moment better would be sharing it with someone. - I cherish those moments as well all the same.

@tonymontana4284 26 дней назад

@@malaikamillions Lots of lonely prisoners in jail that need pen pals and even marriage.

@captainKbobkeeshan 26 дней назад

This is so sad to hear. Thanks to Laura Kowal's daughter for sharing her story and educating others.

@katie3901 26 дней назад

Giving money to someone you never met is a special kind of stupid sorry.

@danababy1977 26 дней назад

I agree, and we are not being mean

@crystalk6161 24 дня назад

@@danababy1977💯

@meahdahlgren6537 20 дней назад

@@danababy1977 right

@Dana_inc 19 дней назад

Shenanigans!

@user-ph9eq2dw3r 16 дней назад

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@ebybeehoney 26 дней назад

This is horrible. Both those women (both the hospital exec and the postal worker) were used. It's disgusting what was done to them.

@willissudweeks1050 26 дней назад

They weren’t used they were complicit.

@tonymontana4284 26 дней назад

Deep down inside they know it's a sham.

@minoozolala 26 дней назад

@@tonymontana4284 No they don't.

@oldgeezer2780 24 дня назад

It's clever (and insidious) how the scammers finagled the victims into doing something illegal. That sort of sets the victim up to not report it, because now they've done something illegal themselves.

@tonymontana4284 24 дня назад

@@minoozolala Yeah they know it's a scam unless your in complete denial, beautiful people never use dating sites to get dates.

@connie4883 23 дня назад

“We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry”. Sadly, this case is a perfect example of that. My heart goes out to this young lady and her Mom.

@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living 8 дней назад

That saying is so true.

@skinnybear5743 24 дня назад

Sadder than sad, she wanted to give her $$ to a stranger than her own daughter 🙄

@sonyadrake7843 24 дня назад

Catfished out of $1.7M 🤯

@donnahilton471 21 день назад

They try to disguise their accent by being Swedish or some type of European.

@GreatColors 20 дней назад

I was scrolling for a comment like yours. I really don't feel sorry for her mother. She had all of that money saved up. Her entire legacy gone in less than a year all because a man caught her attention and became the center of her world instead of her family. If I was her daughter, I'd be livid with her for being so stupid. What a waste of a life. She spent such a long time hiding her ignorance and shame, then she left her dog to die just so she could punish herself instead of seeking help. Jesus.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

@@donnahilton471If you can't tell a Nigerian when you hear it, that's on you.

@Asa...S 19 дней назад

@@donnahilton471 There is no European accent that sounds Nigerian or Ghanian though... 6:38 Listen to this man speak. If he said that was a Swedish accent. Or German or French or any other European accent. Not many would believe that. If someone claims to be Swedish, Finnish, Italian, Greek, German, just ask them to say some random sentence in that language. If they hesitate, refuse, make up excuses, or try to stall and google, well, then they're probably not the nationality they claim to be.

@NFTProductions 26 дней назад

These dating site clearly warn you about not sending money to strangers.

@mysophie1023 26 дней назад

But is the warning so in-your-face that you can't miss it? Like a large red blinking banner across the top of the site?

@aydinl5757 26 дней назад

She was desperate for any man so she sent money to keep him happy.

@newtrollaccount384 25 дней назад

@@mysophie1023 Pretty much.

@Michadoo 25 дней назад

@@mysophie1023yes 😂😂 actually it is. As soon as you match with someone.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

Yeah, um, they're in on it. I don't know a site that doesn't have your ISP # immediately. They know EXACTLY where you are!

@laurencaulton103 24 дня назад

One thing these victims have in common: money!!!! You can't send somebody $1 million if you don't have it!

@Sashazur 20 дней назад

Most of the victims only send hundreds or thousands, but if it’s all you have, what’s the difference?

@abeal49 20 дней назад

I was catfished for about 15 minutes by someone who I thought was my neighbor, asking me to run an errand for her while I was in town. We live 15 miles from town so that wasnt so weird. We texted back and forth about a recent storm and the damage, but when "she" asked me to pick up two $200 gift cards and text her the numbers, I knew it wasn't my neighbor. I cannot believe people fall for this scam!

@BrokeMillionaire1 23 дня назад

$1.5 million to a stranger? 😢🤦🏾‍♂️

@paulahunt3508 13 дней назад

@BrokeMillionaire1 I’d say that scammer retired after that payload. But, of course he had to pay his BOSS, the person that supports these Evil Beings. And when I think about it, there were probably several scammers in on this fortune. No one can imagine how manipulative these heathens can be.

@BrokeMillionaire1 13 дней назад

@@paulahunt3508 indeed.

@madbug1965 25 дней назад

If someone asks you for money that's a red flag to get the hell out now!

@CrustyUgg 23 дня назад

I was sort of scammed the other day. I was walking into the grocery store and this older black woman in a wheelchair started loudly telling me how beautiful my son is... saying he seems like such a sweet boy. And he is. So I said "thank you so much!" When I walked out she asked me for money claiming she was homeless and poor. She had her nails done... her braids done.. those aren't cheap. I heard her as I was pulling away gaslighting some other woman telling her how beautiful she is.. and then asking for money. People have NO SHAME.

@seekinggodfirst754 26 дней назад

The way the clip portrayed the woman as a helpless victim I was caught off guard when I heard she participated in scamming others.

@pattiraefrye 26 дней назад

These stories both leave me scratching my head & breaking my heart.

@Omar_Zazzle 25 дней назад

What else have you been scratching?

@Coreyrob26 26 дней назад

Who the hell has 1.3 million bucks lying around?? What are people doing for a living that I am not aware of???

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

You can make really good money being a nurse.

@Challenger2A7 26 дней назад

Exactly.

@Maria.9094 26 дней назад

Insurance policies.

@freespirit1975 26 дней назад

@@justmejenny7986 not that good-they said she was a Hospital Executive.

@melody796 26 дней назад

Those were my thoughts exactly! Here I am trying to make some extra money to help my daughter begin her college education. While on the other hand some people have money to throw up in the air. This woman could have lived the rest of her days peacefully and happily vacationing with friends and family instead she cut her life short. Poor woman. I hope her daughter can at some point come to terms with this sad situation.

@newmexicoballer3867 26 дней назад

The crazy part about all of this is that there are some people watching this video thinking 'poor woman, so sad she fell for a romance scam.' while on the other hand on their way to send gift cards to their " lover" they met on a dating site that needs money to pay for work materials.😅

@yeyewandeoyeleye3727 25 дней назад

😂😂

@joanbelmont5450 21 день назад

😂😂😂

@Sashazur 20 дней назад

Seriously - I watch the social catfish channel. They have a new romance scam victim every week, and sometimes it’s someone who says they watch the very same channel! I guess they convince themselves they’re smarter than everyone else, or that they know it’s really true love and the others were just infatuated, etc etc.

@Beth-zg6gb 26 дней назад

Despicable. The internet is like the Wild West. How desperate, vulnerable, and yet ironically isolated, we’ve become in this frenzied world of social media.

@dontbelongherefromanotherp9807 26 дней назад

It can be used as a weapon and dangerous

@linebing6208 24 дня назад

Social media is somewhat useful but I think in many cases its disadvantages outnumber its benefits

@Lauren_1987 26 дней назад

Fraud. Scams. Loneliness. If you plan to date on line, do your due diligence and research the person's background. Find out ABOUT the person. Don't be dumb about sending anyone money. HUGE RED FLAG if someone asks for money.

@ScarletAdhesive 26 дней назад

Well run up there with a sign on your forehead saying, " please, I'll do anything to get a man ". How can they not take the blame on themselves?

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

Stop with the victim shaming.

@truthreigns3465 26 дней назад

Can be summed up in one word, pathetic

@lrod8721 26 дней назад

@@justmejenny7986 Victim? She knew what she was doing, giving him money was not right, yet, she was so desperate that she went against her own thoughts, her own daughter, and gave her money willingly.

@CyndiConnard 26 дней назад

We have a professional grifter here on America , begging for supporters to send them their last penny to pay his legal bills, and they send their money to a con man who says, "I'm rich"....Trump gets away with it, and he certainly is a lying thieving snake oil salesman....that's how gulible half of America is!!! It is crazy town

@ccwoodlands1565 26 дней назад

There is no such thing as love at first sight or first text. Wake up, people. Don’t be so gullible!

@OutWestRedDirt 26 дней назад

Love at first sight does exist, my grandfather new my grandmother was the one at first sight. It is extremely rare though and unless the man backs it up with ring and provision and protection, it's fake.

@dlghenderson2837 26 дней назад

Women have been reading romance novels for years. But you should not believe them to be real.

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

Weird comment.

@NilaB-vb3tn 25 дней назад

Agree sometimes people forget the difference between reality and fantasy it’s no body’s fault.

@t.d108 24 дня назад

Oh dear girl, my heart goes out to you! Thank you for finding the courage to share your mother’s story. You are being of service. She would be, she IS proud of you❣️🙏

@mollycote1021 26 дней назад

1.5 million and she never told her daughter?!?! How sad!

@espsc1981 23 дня назад

😮💸

@b.snow-fotomkr6132 19 дней назад

You would be surprised what parents hide from their children; especially if they are embarrassed.

@labratamber 26 дней назад

Dr. Phil has had shows about this FOR YEARS !!! and people still fall for this !!!!!

@theworldofjuniperthecat1307 26 дней назад

Exactly

@RoyalMasterpiece 24 дня назад

Dr. Phil Primetime is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

@joanbelmont5450 21 день назад

We don’t need Dr. Phil telling us nothing! This is the same generation that taught their children to never speak to strangers.

@cjcarver6290 26 дней назад

Always date local, always in public venue.

@gasmith7486 26 дней назад

Even locals are scamming people 🙄🙄🙄

@cjcarver6290 26 дней назад

@@gasmith7486 but at least you would know they are a real person. To your point, people are just being so vicious towards each other. It's disheartening.

@WR-NC-ASPL 23 дня назад

But, there no local men who are richer than me or getting more salary than me... I prefer remaining single and unmarried than dating down or marrying down..

@karentackett 23 дня назад

"Dating down or marrying down"? Sounds like someone is looking for a handout. How about let's all make our own way in life, be responsible for ourselves like adults should be? Remember this when your checklist for a partner includes making more money than you do, they got all that money somehow. Not everyone makes their money from honest, hard work. Most cut throats to get where they're at in business. They'll not bat an eye at cutting your throat as well. I'll take an honest person any day of the week. I'm an adult, I can make my own money.

@maril1379 23 дня назад

Stay local. If online plan to meet in a public place within 1-2 weeks. Do not give money.

@roeuth 26 дней назад

Dam I heard of losing 20,000 or 50,000$ but 1.5 mil… that is an absurd amount.

@katerinagiannioudi401 24 дня назад

Really cant understand how people get fooled. I once started an internet chat and as soon as he asked for money I ran. Didnt get a cent from me!

@steveconn 26 дней назад

What a tragic, twisted story. So sorry Kelly your mother got caught up in this dark saga. If money gets involved in your online dating chats, run!!!

@yvonneplant9434 26 дней назад

It's very sad people fall for this stuff. I guess they are that lonely. 😢

@missyfantusi1780 26 дней назад

😢

@lynnehorizon5532 25 дней назад

If someone asks for money it shows they don’t have their life together.

@patrickprendergast9589 9 дней назад

if a woman asks for money run like hell

@terr777 26 дней назад

I get hit on Facebook and when I report them, Facebook does absolutely nothing.

@Jenny010132 23 дня назад

Facebook loves the scammers. More accounts = more revenue for Facebook. They’ll never do anything about it.

@janeoleary8454 21 день назад

I ask them if they live in Nigeria. And do they need my bank acct info

@sookie4195 4 часа назад

Facebook is a cesspool.

@ebonymystery 26 дней назад

This is why I don’t do online dating...

@gogreen7794 26 дней назад

Be careful who you meet in person! I could relate a long, complicated story about a guy I dated and what he pulled off with several other women. I was relatively lucky and only bought him a few gifts. The others weren't so lucky or savvy.

@meahdahlgren6537 20 дней назад

@@gogreen7794 right

@jenniferhwang1697 23 дня назад

It’s not just dating sites, there are fake profiles on social media sites as well, such as Instagram and Facebook. These scammers steal other people’s picture and pretends to be impersonating them. Mostly men pretending they are widowed or “peacekeepers” and are in the military, which they use as an excuse to not being able to videochat.

@aishanjgirl07 22 дня назад

Idk who needs to hear this…but you can be happily single!!

@yvonnecooper5004 26 дней назад

This is why I have never tried a dating site. Very sad.

@mellowyellow415 22 дня назад

Sometimes I cave and download an app but quickly delete. From creeps that live nearby to scammers from Nigeria, I want no part of it.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

It's just a lot of false advertising. Nobody looks like their ads w AI people.

@deborahbaker4770 26 дней назад

That is so sad after my fiancé passed away I lost interest in having a relationship with anyone he passed away 8 year’s ago I’m 66 now and happy living by myself without any issues or drama 👍🏻 it’s sad that her mother was scammed and then lost her life and not by her hand 😢 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@meahdahlgren6537 20 дней назад

Right

@NuNugirl 11 дней назад

My “boyfriend “ since 2016, passed away March 7th. I don’t think I can handle another relationship, because he isn’t replaceable. I’m 65. Not long before his passing, he wanted us to be legally married. I am now very carful who I associate with, because I know I’m a target.

@mayakattt3475 26 дней назад

You don’t need a Man to Live, Thrive, or Survive.

@PossumLover1111 26 дней назад

Well said! Great words.

@seth7712 25 дней назад

No you don't, but having a man is nice.

@dianaprince3176 22 дня назад

@@seth7712Not All Men

@bebe553 21 день назад

God created woman to be a help mate to man; wanting Companionship is Normal.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

@@bebe553No, thanks. They have enough to do.

@AlohaLowah 26 дней назад

It's so heartbreaking. This happened to my friends dad.... He was a retired Sheriff. His wife of all his life passed away two years ago from cancer. He had some dementia starring, and was lonely and wanted to be in a relationship. He fell for one women locally, who used him and took money from him. His kids stepped in and got that stopped.... Only to have him get scammed online dating a few months later. He lost all his money. Had to sell his home. The police tracked it all to overseas scams. He sadly passed away unexpectedly a few months ago. This keeps happening and it's awful and heartbreaking and disgusting.

@joanbelmont5450 21 день назад

What a fool.

@Sashazur 20 дней назад

@@joanbelmont5450Yikes. He had dementia and was grief stricken and you call him a fool.

@juicyloo2409 23 дня назад

As a 50+ widow who tried online dating for a brief while, I have harsh words for other men and women in my generation. The chances of finding a decent partner on any dating site are almost zero now. The more you exude desperation, the more attractive you are to scammers. Shut off the computer and go live your life. You have a better chance of finding someone that way and if you don't, find peace in your solitude and be grateful for what you do have. Stop torturing yourself and the people who truly love you. ☮

@aishanjgirl07 22 дня назад

I totally agree

@LynC304 15 дней назад

I couldn't agree more. You are absolutely right! Iam around the same age. Finding that "special someone" online is like looking for a needle in a haystack!

@sandrab2589 26 дней назад

Am I understanding correctly? She sent $1.3 million to someone she never met face-to-face?

@lizhall2961 26 дней назад

Yep

@patriciamcdermott9589 26 дней назад

happens all day, every day online. a billion dollars a year goes to scammers in these other countries with the government being just as corrupt. what government isn't going to want to have a billion dollars a year coming in to the economy every year? i had a friend that sent over 40,000 dollars to a "woman" in Russia that he thought he was going to marry. when he told her he wasn't sending anymore money, that she needed to get on a plane and come to him, she disappeared. he hung himself a week later. he was smart and very good looking, had a lot of money and could have had any woman he wanted. all his friends tried to tell him he was being scammed but he wouldn't listen. it really made no sense at all.

@MsBenitaButrell 26 дней назад

Then offed herself…sounds guilty to me

@PM2024- 26 дней назад

are you here to judge??

@sandrab2589 26 дней назад

@@PM2024- yes, definitely

@rickysmithist 26 дней назад

I’ve been dating a young Woman for four months and we haven’t used the boyfriend girlfriend word. Saying I love u in 12 days is insane

@matthewb.7172 26 дней назад

Bro at that point you’re stalling

@mariahspapaya 25 дней назад

Four months? Yeesh. I hope you at least had the discussion about being exclusive. You either know or you don’t at that point.

@The-Oneness11 25 дней назад

My boyfriend and I didn't become exclusive until 4 months. There's no need to rush relationships. Get to know each other and don't be intimate in the dating stage.

@user-hx7mi7ml8u 25 дней назад

What do you call each-other then after 4 months of “dating?” My…?

@Sashazur 20 дней назад

I hope you’ve met this person in real life. If not, you’re either wasting time or sooner or later they’re going to ask for money…

@AnyM4jorDude 26 дней назад

That hurts my heart. That poor daughter lost her only friend. I'm so sorry for this beautiful young woman. No man is worth this.

@yvonneplant9434 26 дней назад

@ramonaearnest4709 22 дня назад

My brother knows all of this and yet he did the same thing and got scammed for thousands...

@Mrs.TJTaylor 24 дня назад

She wanted to be loved THAT badly. Badly enough to sleepwalk to her own death.

@mandcbruce 26 дней назад

So sorry for your tragic loss. My Mom was taken by a grifter. Unfortunately, one of my brothers refuses to forgive her even though she was a victim.💔

@gasmith7486 26 дней назад

There are no victims only volunteers.

@eileensyl9089 25 дней назад

Brother angry because he lost his inheritance?

@devilmaycry9969 22 дня назад

I wouldn’t forgive her either. Let me guess, she now expects you and your brothers to pick up the pieces…

@TKOin2life 22 дня назад

I don't blame him. You ain't losing my money too.

@joanbelmont5450 21 день назад

You reap what you sow.

@chrischris9718 22 дня назад

There is a special place in hell for these scammers

@dfa3366 26 дней назад

They were not dating. You can’t date people you never met.

@Hollergirlohio 26 дней назад

With AI coming out its gonna be twice as bad soon

@Sashazur 20 дней назад

Even if it’s AI, it’s still going to be someone you never met, asking for money. Use your common sense.

@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living 8 дней назад

This. It’s going to get easier to fool people. The rule still applies, even if it’s a person you met in person. If they ask for money or ask you to get involved in something shady, RUN!

@LS-kg6my 25 дней назад

Self-deception is a big component of “falling in love” online. According to this story, it is also is a deadly self deception

@memsat2001 26 дней назад

SO SORRY YOU LOST YOUR precious mom-I pray you find PEACE AND HEALING. THESE SCAMMERS WILL GET THEIR KARMA.'

@AndrewJonathan-nd7wj 20 дней назад

amin

@JeffreyGillespie 26 дней назад

This was a legitimately heartbreaking story. Bless that poor woman. ❤

@AlphaandOmega-mb1wg 26 дней назад

Lord have mercy. When. When. When will we stay off the internet meeting strangers.

@Monika-mh2je 26 дней назад

I can't understand how people fall for those scams, sorry.

@FreeSpirit47 26 дней назад

Same here! It blows my mind how even intelligent, educated people fall for this load of crap.

@Monika-mh2je 26 дней назад

@FreeSpirit47 and tragically, she died shamed, alone and penniless.

@sfgiantsism 26 дней назад

The heart rules the head.

@brianal7143 26 дней назад

I am right there with you. I'm an empathetic person but it's mind boggling to me

@FreeSpirit47 26 дней назад

@@Monika-mh2je It truly is heart breaking. My career is not in criminology, yet it seems very fishy. As if she was murdered, not a suicide. Her daughter spoke of her mother's love for her dog plus a suicide being very unlike her. Add to that, how far away her mother's body was found. It seems very suspicious. If only her daughter had looked into it sooner, the daughter had no way of knowing how dire the situation was.

@NeptuneLady1957 26 дней назад

Wow. I knew people were scamming and being scammed, but damn..a twist turning the scammed into criminals. That lady who was "caught" is going to prison for doing stuff she knew full well was illegal!

@outb4thecount 26 дней назад

Longing to be in a relationship after the death of a partner or just out of loneliness can be a miserable experience. Feeling that someone finally comes along and shows a little bit of affection and offering companionship can leave normally reasonable people in a very vulnerable position. Such a tragic story.

@mwatts6755 21 день назад

There’s a special place in hell for people that scam and steal from vulnerable people. Blasphemy

@CrystalFaye1 20 дней назад

I've never thought online dating was safe.

@kleek2217 26 дней назад

I believe the 25-30% estimate of fake guys is accurate. I've been using several dating apps and have encountered a HUGE number of fake guys. Some the apps identify and boot... some I can figure out on my own. For sure, I no longer talk to anyone who does not live in my own town or refuses to meet me in person. About ready to just quit the entire online thing because it seems like such a waste of time.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

It is. They're nothing but false advertising.

@n.d.7931 26 дней назад

You have to be really really mentally and emotionally unstable to wire that much money to a stranger

@MsBenitaButrell 26 дней назад

Two women fall victim to the same scam but even in this video you’ve portrayed yt Laura as a victim (even the FBI agent called her family with a warning), but question Blk Jennifer (who’s also a victim) about “ruining ppl’s lives” when she had no idea she was involved in a scam. AND she’s facing criminal charges?! How??? Give Jennifer the same grace and empathy you gave Laura and her family!

@princessgigiking 26 дней назад

My sediments exactly 💯 Jennifer facing 30 years, ok you know she was scammed, she's come forth with the truth.

@AtlChica883 26 дней назад

Exactly and she’s a veteran and she currently works. She doesn’t have a million dollars and she was scammed and yet she’s treated like she did something wrong.

@AC-kf2ky 26 дней назад

they are showing her grace by letting her explain that she is also a victim. If Laura hadn't killed herself, she would've also been investigated and would face criminal charges.

@MsBenitaButrell 26 дней назад

@@AC-kf2ky I doubt it… the FBI agent called her daughter to tell her her mom was a VICTIM. While Jennifer has a very similar story and she’s been criminalized and is fighting for her life.

@davidawilliams252 24 дня назад

I saw that too. The media was very manipulative. Both are victims of scammers.

@Melscomments 26 дней назад

Omg she was found dead?!??! What a terrible tragedy thats crazy

@thebadgerette69 26 дней назад

I wonder if she finally figured out if what she was being used for and said I am out or will go to the police and they came after her?? So sad!

@lauratyler4863 26 дней назад

Or when she realized that she had been scammed, it caused her so much pain that she didn’t want to live.

@Melscomments 26 дней назад

I just can't see these scammers going through all of that trouble. They likely knew she couldn't pin much on them, they probably knew her well by then. Over a million dollars from one person? Wow. I hope the daughter finds justice

@marytheresejacksonlutz2533 25 дней назад

I believe she committed suicide because she realized she had been taken.

@pjnix5618 25 дней назад

@@marytheresejacksonlutz2533I agree.

@orlyno364 26 дней назад

I’m a divorced 58 yr old female who dates online. I only meet men in LA near my neighborhood.. currently dating a few and never spent a dime on them but have been treated to concerts,plays,dancing and fun times. Don’t understand these scammers

@jordandavies6970 26 дней назад

If they ask for money up from, its a scammer. Easy to solve by asking them to send you a selfie holding an apple to verify themselves. I have never had a single person be able to do it. the usual response is my phone is bad. I said then borrow a friends phone. They tend to go away after that.

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

Smart and thank you for sharing this. Hopefully it helps someone.

@NeptuneLady1957 26 дней назад

Are you kidding?? It doesn't matter if it's in the beginning or not!!

@thebadgerette69 26 дней назад

Good idea!

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

No scammers cannot. They use stolen photos of other people.

@jordandavies6970 25 дней назад

No the point is people using fake photos cant replcate that persons photo holding an apple@dianegreyson8787

@susannpatton2893 26 дней назад

Just don't do it

@57msdeb 26 дней назад

Just never, ever loan/give money. Date people close to home so you can meet in person. Do a background check…It’s too easy for scammers to con the lonely, no matter the age. They prey on hope.

@CecenaGuy 25 дней назад

If a stranger asks you for money on the Internet, DON'T GIVE THEM A CENT. It's insane how people still can't listen to common sense.

@tracytrebilcox 26 дней назад

This was not a story for Sunday Morning. I watch it to be uplifted and not cause anxiety or depression. I found out about my husband having a "romance" with a scammer after he had died, and luckily, very little money exchanged hands. It happened at a time in our marriage where we were struggling, and had been working on our relationship, but because of the stupidity on his part, they were able to blackmail him. I ended up tracking down the perpetrators in Nigeria, and charges were filed through the FBI's cyber crime unit, but nothing has been done. Yes, I know CBS wants to educate the public, but this was a painful reminder of a difficult time in my life.

@astphi868 26 дней назад

It’s bc older people watch this show and they’re more likely to fall for this. It’s the perfect place for this story.

@lindaslattery8341 25 дней назад

Making this sad story about you 🙄

@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living 8 дней назад

@@astphi868Agreed. People are STILL falling for romance scams even though they are heavily educated about it. I thought this was a great piece despite the fact that the woman met a tragic end. I liked that they were able to get an ex-scammer to spill the secrets, and I like that they featured another victim-turned-accomplice that is facing jail time because some of the scam victims can end up as accomplices - willing or unwilling.

@vgardner1688 26 дней назад

This is truly sad & disturbing. They also spam the comments on social media sites looking for victims. Warn your parents & and grandparents to NEVER send money or gift cards to anyone they don't know. And EVERYONE should learn how to do a reverse image search! We have to watch out for each other & put these people out of business!

@thebadgerette69 26 дней назад

And do not answer your phone uf you do not know the number, if it is important they will leave a VM.

@justapointofview696 25 дней назад

Thank you for that, I will.

@catapillargirl2021 26 дней назад

Very suspicious. I am so sorry to the daughter. Lost her Father & her Mother to the grief from that loss. How do these scammers sleep at night?

@danababy1977 26 дней назад

They don’t sleep

@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living 8 дней назад

They have zero remorse. They see this as a business, and the victims are “clients who are buying into the fantasy of love with an attractive person”.

@nathanjamesbaker 23 дня назад

Why would anyone "date" someone they never meet in person or even see on camera? It sounds like this entire relationship was via messaging.

@LizHolst 26 дней назад

I was taken as well by a man I met online. My husband died three years prior to my getting involved. I was not lonely, I had friends and family who told me every day I was being used. I’m educated, a retired RN and social. But the heart trumps the mind and I saw what I wanted to. This man has moved on, won’t talk to me now which is ok. He has someone else ensnared. I tried to warn her, her son contacted me and asked me to talk to her. I did. She ended up blocking me. Yes, we believe what we wish things to be. So please don’t judge us, say how can this happen? There was a time I may have said that as well…

@anonfornow359 26 дней назад

You were manipulated and victimized. Please dont blame yourself. There is some circumstance that each one of us may have been caught into. Im glad to hear you are away from that now

@phyllissowhat 25 дней назад

You were lonely. You obviously were--need to admit that this played a role. SMH

@NilaB-vb3tn 25 дней назад

If you are okay that’s all it matters past has past noone can change that but we can change the future. God bless you.

@devilmaycry9969 22 дня назад

I can’t feel sorry for you. You are a retired RN who has a social circle that has been married. There are people in this world that will never have neither of the above. No past husband, no career and are going to work until they drop dead. You were not lonely, you were bored and had everything at the palm of your hands, you didn’t appreciate what you had and needed more. I’m sure you took your family down with you. Take responsibility and make it right with those who are sticking by your side.

@drubert1981 26 дней назад

Her being interviewed in a bonnet is questionable.

@nameisprivate5429 24 дня назад

Smh. People either willfully ignore red flags or just plain ignorant. These stories always amaze me.

@ianbattles7290 24 дня назад

I can't comprehend the stupidity of giving 1.5 million dollars to somebody you've never actually met.

@louiselin7759 23 дня назад

I am a woman and honestly speaking by the time I’m over 50 I will retire from dating, maybe even earlier.. when I no longer look good and no guys in real life of decent quality are asking me out I wont bother at all, Just concentrate on loving yourself and quality time with your family

@sweetjune2010 7 дней назад

Yep same here..I thought I wanted to date, but I'm good. There is a lot more to life than having a mate.

@somoody9322 23 дня назад

If a man or woman asks you for money or ask you anything dealing with money or anything financial that's your clue to run in the other direction.

@Darci3333 26 дней назад

When they ask for money is a huge red flag and a sign to RUN. if one asked me for money i would say im broke you send me money. If like one guy told me he had scurvey and needed money to get well id send him a bag of oranges and tell him lots of luck....

@ririmr4978 26 дней назад

This happened to an older female in my family, it's sad and so beyond wrong.

@AC-kf2ky 26 дней назад

she killed herself?!

@ririmr4978 26 дней назад

@@AC-kf2ky No but she was love scammed out of all her retirement savings 😥

@marilynh. 26 дней назад

How could this happen to such a highly intelligent, educated, fairly young woman?

@dianaprince3176 22 дня назад

Easy. She volunteered.

@lrod8721 26 дней назад

I’m soooo thankful I’m not a needy person. You would think with all the warnings & scam stories no one would fall for these anymore. Be content with yourself

@lisabraun6036 26 дней назад

Yuck. Please don’t shame victims or act like being ok all alone is the answer. People are meant to have villages - not be alone. Claiming not to need connection…not the flex you think it is!

@lrod8721 26 дней назад

@@lisabraun6036 who said I was alone, I have my family & friends. I don’t need a partner to stroke my ego or take my money that I worked so hard for. I’m content with my “village” and I find other activities, classes or groups to engage with so I’m not bored. What’s wrong with being alone? This story & others like it prove to me I’m fine with my life the way it is.

@silentnot4812 26 дней назад

Lost my spouse 16 years ago. Never felt the need to give all my money away to someone I’ve never met in person because I needed “connection”.

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

Good for you. But don't shame others.

@Mimi-ry4dt 26 дней назад

@@lisabraun6036 SPOT ON - Your response & words. Thank you.

@elizabethheyenga9277 26 дней назад

I bet the Match CEO hasn't hired previous scammers to show them how easy it is. Cheaper too!!

@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living 8 дней назад

Good point. They’re not taking any precautions to make it harder for a scammer to get on their site. They don’t take action unless their OWN USERS report the fake profiles. Basically they have a disclaimer on their site that says that they can’t guarantee that the profiles are real, and the best that you can do is report them and to not give them money.

@tamarabradberry9299 22 дня назад

If anyONE says they love me at 12 days......I would run

@mackmckay588 26 дней назад

The lady needs to fill out form 709 for the IRS to report her gifting

@Orchids.and.Endlers 26 дней назад

I’m sorry, why do you transfer out 1.5 million dollars out of your account 😭, was he going to invest it for her ?

@arfriedman4577 26 дней назад

The amounts were done little by little. The scammer asks for money for different things.

@freespirit1975 26 дней назад

The scammer also tells them he is investing it in Bitcoin for "their future together."

@elisabethpine3420 26 дней назад

People who have been without a partner's love for years, or who just haven't dated in a long time are just unable to be in control of their hearts or understand warning signs.

@Anne-qy4ku 26 дней назад

Not true.

@impulse_xs 26 дней назад

L take

@agoodfilter7139 26 дней назад

So sorry. People are so mean.

@laurae2489 26 дней назад

This is heartbreaking.

@donnaarsenoff8399 26 дней назад

My heart goes out to her daughter. It’s hard for good people to believe how many truly evil people there are in the world.

@mtwhatley3253 22 дня назад

Emmanuel the Nigerian prince took the day off for the interview. 😂

@MuvaLaNegra 22 дня назад

😂😂😂

@lbw9830 26 дней назад

I think this is about people who are SO desperate for a mate, that they’ll do anything. These are folks who don’t know how to be alone. By that I mean, they have to have a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife. Those that are okay with themselves and surround themselves with friends and family will fare much better.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 19 дней назад

Friends. Maybe. Family, probably not so much.

@justice-jb5ld 26 дней назад

Is hard to comprehend how these men and women don’t realized is a scam, how do they go from one minute hearing I love you, to send me a million dollars.

@justmejenny7986 26 дней назад

Because that's not how it goes.