Survivors Remember
- It was not your fault!
- You are a survivor!
- You are stronger than you know!
- You are not alone!
- Axios! You are worthy!
- Vera! It’s all true!
To get help, please visit ScamVictimsSupport.org and sign up for the SCARS Institute FREE Scam Survivor’s School at www.SCARSeducation.org
My Scam Story #23
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.
WARNING: THIS SCAM VICTIM/SURVIVOR’S STORY MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME PEOPLE. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
ADVERTENCIA: LA HISTORIA DE ESTA VÍCTIMA/SOBREVIVIENTE DE ESTAFA PUEDE SER INSENSIBLE PARA ALGUNAS PERSONAS. SE RECOMIENDA DISCRECIÓN.
If you need help, join our free SCARS Institute Support and Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
Si necesita ayuda, únase a nuestro Programa gratuito de Apoyo y Recuperación del Instituto SCARS en support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Story
Hello, thank you again for allowing me to join this group and for taking careful measures to ensure our safety through proper screening. I chose this group because I felt it would support my healing process, enabling me to eventually help others. I previously joined other groups but disliked the practice of posting scammers’ pictures and degrading them, especially since many in those images are victims themselves or unknowingly involved. I couldn’t understand how that approach could genuinely help emotional healing.
It’s difficult to share my story without mentioning my faith, as it began through communication with someone I believed to be a Christian radio host. It started with a message on Facebook, thanking me for being a supportive listener. I had previously interacted casually with this individual, participating in their radio program and exchanging brief conversations online, which made me confident that this was genuinely the same person.
During our conversations, I opened up about my struggles with my homeless and addicted son, as well as my personal mission to reach out to the broken-hearted, offering prayers and comfort. The person responded with kindness, encouragement, and mentioned that his team was praying for me. He invited me to participate in a new show, offering assistance in completing and publishing a book I was working on. Given his established reputation as an author and his thriving media ministry, I was deeply honored and flattered.
Around this time, my husband passed away following a prolonged illness. This individual was among the first people I shared this painful news with. He offered genuine comfort, sent heartfelt prayers, and even provided a beautiful memorial piece for my husband. His compassion and emotional support during my grief made me trust him deeply.
Over several months, our friendship grew, characterized by mutual encouragement and emotional intimacy. Eventually, he mentioned discussing my situation with influential people who were reportedly impressed with my work and wanted to help support my ministry. This led to an elaborate story involving official documents supposedly from a well-known Rockefeller-associated organization. The individual referenced a real person affiliated with this organization, which I verified via Google, leading me to believe everything was legitimate.
Under his guidance, I opened a bank account and shared personal and financial information, far more than I should have. Subsequently, I was manipulated into participating in a customs package scam, resulting in a loss of $5,350. Even after the incident, I continued to believe it was genuinely the radio host who had simply lost his way. We continued communicating, spending our birthdays chatting online. He affectionately referred to me as “sunshine” and “butterfly,” expressing sentiments that felt genuine and caring.
After realizing the scam, I attempted several times to end our conversations, encouraging him to reconcile with his wife and reconnect spiritually. He repeatedly persuaded me to stay in contact, asking for daily Bible verses. On one occasion, I even attended his live show, sending him photos from the audience; he pretended to acknowledge my presence indirectly, claiming he couldn’t directly respond due to oversight by his supervisors.
In late October, he expressed feelings of guilt, and we mutually agreed to limit contact, acknowledging he needed to pursue his relationship with his wife. Despite this, we struggled to maintain distance, exchanging occasional messages expressing mutual affection and support.
On October 25th, I received an unsettling phone call from someone with a heavy accent, repeatedly apologizing, claiming he couldn’t continue deceiving me, and vowing to return to his faith. At this moment, my reality was shattered—I finally realized the entire relationship had been fraudulent, including his declarations of faith and affection.
Soon after, I contacted the radio host’s actual female colleague, with whom I had interacted previously. She confirmed they were aware scammers had used the host’s Facebook identity, replicating it exactly, differing only slightly in URL. The genuine host later publicly announced changes to his social media presence and picture due to this impersonation.
Recently, the scammer reached out one last time through a fake email associated with the radio host’s group, seeking forgiveness and signing off with the alias previously used. I have since blocked all channels of communication, reported the incident to local law enforcement and the FTC, secured my financial accounts, and set up alerts to prevent further issues.
Thank you for listening to my story. I’m grateful to have a safe space to share and begin my healing process.
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Recent Reader Comments
on My Scam Victim-Survivor Story – 2025 #55 – Pig Butchering Cryptocurrency Investment Scam – UK: “Nix, if you are interested, the SCARS Institute offers free support services. To sign up please go to www.SCARScommunity.org” Nov 2, 07:54
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PLEASE NOTE:
In the case of Scam Survivor’s Stories: The SCARS Institute displays this story to help recent scam victims. We are authorized to display this story and in this form or edition is copyright © Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. All rights reserved. The specific survivor’s identity has been anonymized for their protection. Photos are generated and are not of the real person.
In the case of the Criminal’s Stories: The SCARS Institute presents the Criminal Stories to assist scam victims in understanding that criminals are real individuals, despite their terrible actions, and we can gain valuable insights from their experiences to prevent crime and identify these schemes as they emerge. We aim to support victims and survivors in releasing the emotions they harbor toward the criminals, fostering a path toward potential forgiveness over time.
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started For New Victims of Relationship Scams: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- For Scam Victims Advocates: www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
More Survivor Stories
More Criminal Stories
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
SCARS Institute articles can help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org and www.ScamsNOW.com
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on SCARS Institute websites are for information & education only
The information provided in SCARS Institute articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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