Laura Kowal, a widow from Galena, Illinois, was found dead in the Mississippi River in 2020. Her death was ruled a drowning, but some investigators believe it could have been a suicide. Kowal had been in an online relationship with a man who called himself “Frank Borg” for more than a year. Borg allegedly used Kowal’s social media to create a connection and manipulate her into investing in his online trading company. Kowal’s daughter, Kelly Gowe, told CBS News that her mother had been missing companionship in her life, which is what led her to be so trusting with Borg. “She had all these buckets full in her life, my mom did,” Gowe said. “But there was this one bucket that was missing… and that was companionship … And that’s ultimately where we’re at now, is because of that.” Kowal’s autopsy report ruled that she died by drowning, but some investigators believe it could have been a suicide. The US Justice Department and FBI officials have revealed that stories like Kowal’s are more common than one may think. In 2023, almost 70,000 people were victims of romance scams, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission. Reported losses were a massive $1.3 billion, and on average, victims lost $4,400. However, many others are scared to come forward and the number could be much higher if they did. A cyber expert with knowledge of romance scams spoke to The U.S. Sun and warned users of red flags to look out for. Roger Grimes, a defense evangelist at cyber-firm KnowBe4, listed 8 main questions to ask yourself: Read more here . “They may be embarrassed that they have been victimized in this way,” said Arun Rao, who oversees the Consumer Protection Branch at the US Department of Justice. “They may be ashamed. They may be afraid to tell their friends or family.” Many victims who don’t come forward turn to suicide, the FBI told CBS News. “They shouldn’t feel embarrassed or ashamed,” Rao said. “These are sophisticated fraudsters who are preying on the human desire for affection. For connection with another person. And they are manipulating [victims] … using sophisticated technology.” Match Group CEO Bernard Kim defended the company after it was slammed for not protecting customers. “We invest a tremendous amount of capital, and incredible talent on trust and safety. It is the first and foremost top priority for us as an organization,” Kim told CBS News. He also said that the company has been able to stop 44 spam profiles per minute. “We’re working really, really hard every single day to make sure that people are authentic. That’s the key to our platform,” Kim said. Another woman fell victim to a romance scam losing $2.5 million and was forced to sell her home.
Additional Information:
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Red Flags of Romance Scams:
* The person you’re talking to claims to be from a wealthy or powerful family.
* They quickly profess their love or affection for you.
* They ask you to send them money or gifts.
* They pressure you to invest in their business or other financial ventures.
* They isolate you from your friends and family.
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How to Protect Yourself from Romance Scams:
* Be cautious of anyone you meet online, especially if they seem too good to be true.
* Never send money or gifts to someone you don’t know well.
* Be wary of people who pressure you to make quick decisions.
* Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
* Report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
