A Chinese man, Zhang, was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison for defrauding his girlfriend, Huang, of 2.6 million yuan (about ₹3 crore) by pretending to be a doctor at a prestigious hospital. Zhang, a former hotel worker, fabricated his identity over a six-year relationship, exploiting Huang’s trust and love to fund his gambling addiction.
Laura Kowal, a widow living a double life with an online scammer, messaged her daughter expressing fears for her life before being found dead in the Mississippi River. Kowal had been scammed out of $1.5 million by a man she met on Match.com named “Frank Borg.” Investigators are not sure if her death was a suicide or a murder. Romance scams are becoming more common, with an estimated 70,000 victims in 2023 alone. Victims often feel embarrassed or ashamed to come forward, which can lead to suicide. Cyber experts advise users to be aware of red flags when engaging in online relationships.
A 65-year-old Colorado woman has fallen victim to a scam involving someone pretending to be actor Keanu Reeves. Despite evidence to the contrary, the woman remains convinced that she was communicating with the real Reeves. The impersonator used romantic language, sent photos of a falsified ID, and promised international trips and marriage to gain the woman’s trust and elicit money and sensitive information.
