A Scottish mum suffered a heart attack after losing £17,000 in a romance scam. Experts urge caution before Valentine’s Day.
Alison, 57, is from Glasgow. She was grieving a family loss when a man contacted her on a dating site. He claimed to be an American businessman.
The stress of the scam led to Alison being hospitalized. She feels foolish for trying to help the man, and her mental health is suffering badly. She even experienced a suspected heart attack.
Alison has reported the scam to the bank and police. She feels like her life is ruined. Advice Direct Scotland is urging people to stay alert, as scammers often target women on dating apps.
Alison trusted the scammer over several months. They talked often and had video calls. She then sent him £17,000 after he claimed he was going to Northern Ireland to meet her.
He later claimed his bank had crashed and requested £17,000 for machinery. At first, she refused, but she sent the money after seeing what looked like bank information and a passport.
Next, he wanted another £7,000, claiming customs had detained him and taken his passport. Alison refused this new request at that time.
The app allows women to initiate contact and she ticked that she liked him initially. He messaged her then, saying he would work in Northern Ireland and wanted to meet her in Scotland. He kept begging and sent what appeared to be real details concerning his trip.
He provided her with flight times and said he would resolve his banking issues soon so he could meet her. He then claimed customs officials were holding him and had taken his passport.
He asked for £7,000 for his release, which she refused. Then, he sent a voicemail saying someone was beating him and he urgently needed the money.
Alison reported the matter to the police and her bank. Advice Direct Scotland is supporting her. She even borrowed money from friends, showing how convincing the man was. The man continues to contact her for funds.
She now ignores him and screenshots all his messages. Advice Direct Scotland urges caution online and encourages people to seek help quickly if they become suspicious.
Hazel Knowles, working at Advice Direct Scotland, says romance scams occur frequently throughout the year. However, Valentine’s Day is a prime time for them, as scammers exploit people seeking love.
People should always proceed with caution online and never share personal or financial details. If you doubt someone, perform background checks. Remember, it’s always okay to seek help if needed.