00:00East Coast Crime Network. Streets never sleep. Secrets buried the pavement runs deep. East Coast
00:07Crime Network. Everyone plays a role. The city takes your heart but it won't take your soul.
00:14This is East Coast Crime Network and I am your host Cortez Black. Today, I want to share a story
00:22that could happen to anyone, maybe even someone you know. I am diving deep into the world of
00:27romance scams. Buckle up, because this one is both eye-opening and heartbreaking.
00:34Let me tell you about a woman named Chloe. Chloe was in her 40s, lonely, and decided to try her luck
00:40on a dating website. She had her own apartment, her own car, and even retired early due to her
00:47mental health struggles. Chloe was a former school teacher, and like many, she was looking for
00:53companionship. Someone to share her life with. One day, Chloe started chatting with a man named
00:59Lorenzo. Now, let me paint a picture for you. Lorenzo was charming and incredibly attractive.
01:05He showered Chloe with compliments, telling her she was beautiful, smart, and everything she wanted
01:10to hear. It felt good. Her heart was opening up again. As their conversations grew, Lorenzo shared
01:17that he lost his job and needed her help. He asked for $1,000, Chloe hesitated. But the feelings she had
01:26for him, combined with her desire to support him, led her to send the money without a second thought.
01:34They chatted on the phone frequently, bonding over their dreams and aspirations. It felt real.
01:41But then, just a week later, Lorenzo came back with another request for money.
01:46This time, it was even more urgent, and once again, Chloe sent it. A little later, he claimed he had
01:53been incarcerated for theft and needed her to put money on his books. Chloe didn't question it.
02:01She just sent the money right away. Now, you might wonder why Chloe didn't raise any red flags.
02:08This is a classic tactic used by scammers. They create emotional bonds quickly to manipulate
02:14their victims into compliance. And it worked like a charm with Chloe. After a while, she began to
02:21sense something wasn't right. She even turned to YouTube, looking for answers, and stumbled upon a
02:27show dedicated to uncovering scams. She reached out to them for help in meeting Lorenzo. What happened
02:34next turned Chloe's world upside down. The show went on a mission to investigate Lorenzo.
02:40They discovered that although Lorenzo was indeed his real name, the photos he had shared with Chloe
02:46were not his. In fact, the real Lorenzo was not the handsome man Chloe imagined. He was significantly
02:53overweight and much older than he claimed. While he told Chloe he was 38, he was actually 45.
03:00And here's the kicker. He wasn't single. He was married with three kids. Devastated doesn't even
03:08begin to describe what Chloe felt. She had poured her heart and a staggering $8,000 into a con artist.
03:16The emotional and financial fallout was overwhelming. Many people think they could never fall for such a
03:22scam. But that's exactly what these scammers bet on. Your emotions. They play on your loneliness and
03:29your desires. Crafting elaborate stories that trap you in their web of deceit. So, what can you learn
03:36from Chloe's story? First, if someone you've met online starts asking for money, that's a huge red
03:43flag. No exceptions. Remember, a genuine person should be able to handle their own financial issues
03:50or would never ask you for money, especially if you haven't met in person. Second, if something feels
03:57off, trust your instincts. Don't ignore that little voice in your head. Research, ask questions,
04:04and don't be embarrassed to reach out for help. This is a cautionary tale for anyone looking to
04:10find love online. It's a digital world filled with dark alleys. So, before you swipe right or send
04:16that cash, think, protect yourself. Stay informed and remember, romance should never come with a price
04:23tag. This is Cortez Black on East Coast Crime Network. Until next time, take care, stay safe,
04:30and keep your heart and wallet guarded. I am out.
