Heartbreak from a Romance Scam
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Never in my life, especially at my age, did I think I would be in this position, but I am. I had lost my husband of 33 years almost 2 years earlier, when I thought I would try online to meet someone for companionship. I just wanted to be able to talk, to share how our days were going, things like that. And I met a man named Caleb who said he was a surgeon overseas, working for the Red Cross. I believed all the pictures he sent me, and he was a lovely, convincing gentleman. He fostered a relationship with me for months, making me believe we were going to start a new life together in Cary, NC. He made it appear that he paid $600,000 towards our new house and I just had to pay $78,000. After selling my family home in Georgia, wiring the $78,000 for the new home, I thought it was a fresh start. I packed up everything I owned with my son, thinking we were moving to Cary, so that Caleb and I could be together. When my son and I arrived at the home, we learned the house was never for sale, and that Caleb was a scammer and took all my life savings with him.
I was devastated and heartbroken. I lost everything because I let my guard down and believed in the kindness of someone who said he wanted to be with me. My son and I ended up having to briefly live in our car and in a motel, until my son found a job. Through the Knights of Columbus and St. Andrew's Church, a church member offered his camper for us to use temporarily, where we are now staying.
I did this story with ABC11 to warn others not to get scammed. I know I made the mistake of trusting someone, but now I have no home, no life savings, and I am living in a strange city. I think that if I can just get an apartment and a little help getting back on my feet, I know I'll be okay.
Thank you for helping if you can. Even if you can't help me, please warn your loved ones about scams like this to save them this kind of heartbreak.
Organizer
Jennifer Dennis
Organizer
Cary, NC