My Scam Story #3

A Romance Scam Victim/Survivor’s Story

Survivor’s Origin: USA

This is the original victim’s story, enhanced by the SCARS Institute Editorial Team to improve comprehension, readability, and continuity.

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My Story

My scam began in March of 2024. In fact, I was contacted twice—first in March, and again in July.

First Scam (March 2024):

In March, the scammer contacted me through Facebook Messenger. I had just been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, which was inoperable. Doctors said I had perhaps five more years of mobility. At age 69, this was devastating news, so I was searching online for information. While searching, a news headline appeared about a famous actor I greatly admire—Alan Alda—being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Impressed by his attitude, I wanted to reach out. This was my first-ever attempt to contact a celebrity directly.

I initially searched Instagram and Facebook. On Instagram, I left a message which, even nine months later, remains unread. On Facebook, I found what seemed to be Alan Alda’s legitimate profile, complete with photos of him and his family. Being unfamiliar with distinguishing real from fake profiles, I messaged him. Over a month later, I received a reply, supposedly from Alan himself, thanking me and expressing interest in communicating further—but not on Messenger. He explained that this was to ensure anonymity from the media and asked for my email address, which I provided.

Three weeks later, I received a cordial email, and we exchanged about six messages. All were pleasant, respectful, and gave no hint of deception. Eventually, “Alan” suggested moving our conversations to Skype due to his busy schedule. I agreed, unaware this was a common tactic among scammers. We communicated on Skype for approximately three weeks. Initially, interactions were casual and fun—we even had virtual pillow fights, walks along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, campfires, beers, and dates.

Then, “Alan” started becoming emotionally intense. He declared me his best friend, then shortly thereafter confessed love. When I reminded him of his 68-year marriage, he apologized and reverted to casual conversations. Soon afterward, however, he asked to show me his body, requested explicit images from me, and began sending inappropriate “I love you” messages again. I refused these requests.

The tone soon shifted dramatically: “Alan” claimed his wife, manager, and attorney had taken control of his assets and frozen his accounts. He said he trusted only me and urgently needed help retrieving a briefcase containing vital documents, cash, and jewelry worth over $800,000. He promised me 30% of its value. I hesitated.

He insisted on calling via Skype; when the call connected, I saw a convincing Alan Alda on-screen, shouting soundlessly. “Alan” blamed phone tampering and pressed me further. When asked to contact a shipping company, I discovered it was based in Istanbul, Turkey—an identified front for scammers. Alarmed, I ended communication. Despite repeated messages and pleas from him, I finally blocked the account after pretending to be my husband, sternly demanding he leave me alone. Eventually, I staged a fake suicide to cease all contact, deleting my Skype account permanently.

Second Scam (July 2024):

Three weeks later, while using Instagram to follow my grandchildren, I received a message from an account named Alan Alda, complete with the “Meta Verified” badge but lacking a profile photo. The message stated, “Congratulations, you are the lucky fan.”

Despite my previous experience, this new scammer was exceptionally convincing. He spoke knowledgably about Alan Alda’s life, family, and career, referencing his podcast guests, friends, and Parkinson’s disease. Trust built quickly.

After two weeks, he suggested we meet, and provided me with his “management team’s” email. Upon contact, I was instructed to pay an $850 application and background check fee through various payment apps. After multiple failed attempts (intercepted by fraud protection measures), I finally managed to send $850 via PayPal.

The management team then presented three meet-and-greet packages ranging from $2,000 to $5,500. Despite clear red flags, I selected a $3,500 private meeting and wired the money. Later, while texting, an accidental call triggered panic from “Alan,” claiming his team confiscated his phone due to our unauthorized contact. They demanded another $1,000 to restore secure communication, which I paid.

Shortly afterward, the team stated that I needed to become an “Alda Foundation benefactor” for an additional $5,500—a hidden requirement. Unable to pay, I received $4,000 on my Citicard account from “Alan,” sent it back to the scammers, and added $1,500 of my own through gift cards. To my shock, the deposited $4,000 vanished from my account soon after, followed by another disappearing $9,600 deposit.

By this time, I had purchased around $18,000 worth of gift cards. After being escorted out of Best Buy by security and police, I stopped cooperating with gift-card requests. “Alan” became aggressive, manipulating me emotionally and pressuring me into a further $2,000 payment supposedly for his daughter’s debt.

Communication deteriorated, and arguments became frequent. Dates for our supposed meeting were repeatedly missed. Ultimately, “Alan” attempted to involve me in crypto transactions and persuaded me to create a business bank account—clear signs he wanted me to act as his money mule. Recognizing this, I finally blocked him permanently and deleted all communication apps.

Despite this, he continues to bypass email blocks, sending abusive and manipulative messages, still trying to draw me back in. The scam cost me over $28,000 in total.

I am sharing this in hope it will help others avoid becoming “cash cows” or money mules. I refuse to be either again.

SCARS Institute Notes:

-/ 30 /-

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