An elderly woman lost $40K, her home, and six dogs after accepting a Facebook friend request. She shares her cautionary tale.
A woman from Philadelphia, Kate Kleinert, has faced a devastating loss after being scammed by a man she met on Facebook.
Her story serves as a warning to others about the dangers of online relationships.
The beginning of the scam
In August 2020, Kate accepted a friend request from a man named Tony on Facebook.
At 69 years old and a widow, she was not looking for love but thought this request felt different.
She had been alone since her husband passed away twelve years earlier.
“I was not looking for romance by any means,” Kleinert said.
“I answered it, and then he was like, ‘Oh, well, how are you,’ you know, ‘My name is Tony.”
Tony claimed to be a surgeon working in Iraq for the United Nations. He said he had lost his wife to cancer and was raising two children.
His story touched Kate’s heart, and she quickly began to trust him.
They chatted daily, and Tony expressed his love for her, making her feel special.
The elderly woman noticed red flags in Tony’s story.
As their online relationship developed, Kate started to notice some warning signs.
Tony’s Facebook account had no friends, and he only posted pictures of himself.
Despite these red flags, she focused on his kind words and their connection.
They eventually decided to have a video call, but Tony never showed his face, claiming it was unsafe due to his work in Iraq.
Soon after, Tony began asking Kate for money.
He said he needed a $100 Visa gift card for his daughter, who had just started her period.
Unsure about how international transactions worked, Kate complied and sent the gift card.
However, she later discovered that the balance had been wiped clean.
The man’s money requests became increasingly desperate.
As time went on, Tony’s requests for money became more desperate.
He asked for funds to visit Kate in Philadelphia and even claimed he was arrested at the airport, asking for money to pay for a lawyer.
Kate sent all her savings and life insurance money to help the love of her life.
By the time Tony asked for even more money to fly to the U.S., Kate had given him nearly $40,000.
However, he never showed up. Instead, she received a call from someone claiming to be his lawyer, asking for $20,000 to post bail.
Elderly woman loses $40K alongside her home and pets after Facebook friend request acceptance
Just when Kate thought things couldn’t get worse, a tragic event unfolded.
In 2022, a fire broke out in her home due to a faulty air conditioning unit.
The fire destroyed her belongings and sadly took the lives of her six beloved dogs.
Before the fire, she had known she needed to replace the unit but had no money to do so because of her financial struggles with Tony.
After the fire, Kate learned the truth. Tony was not a surgeon but a scammer using stolen photos from another person’s Instagram account.
This revelation added to her heartbreak, as she had not only lost money but also her pets and home.
Rebuilding her life
In the aftermath of the scam, Kate decided to take action.
She contacted law enforcement and shared her story with her family. She began the difficult journey of rebuilding her life.
Kate now works with the AARP’s Fraud Watch Helpline, using her experience to help others avoid falling victim to similar scams.
Kate’s story highlights the growing issue of romance scams.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2023, losses from such scams amounted to $1.14 billion.
These scams can happen to anyone, regardless of age or background.
Be cautious when forming online relationships.
Experts urge people to be cautious when forming online relationships.
It’s essential to verify the identity of anyone you meet online. Look for signs of a scam, such as requests for money or reluctance to meet in person.
If you suspect you are being targeted, it’s important to act quickly.
Research the person and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. You can report scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Kate Kleinert’s experience serves as a crucial reminder of the risks associated with online relationships.
It’s important to be vigilant and protect yourself from potential scams.