Johnston Woman Loses $500,000 In Marriage Scam

BENSON – A Johnston County senior citizen lost nearly everything she owned after falling victim to a marriage scam.

The unsuspecting victim said it began in 2020 during COVID. She was lonely and started looking on social media to meet a male companion.

She was contacted by a man who said he was living in Scotland. They quickly made what seemed to be a romantic connection.

Fabricating stories about working in the oil industry and desperately wanting to relocate to the United States, the victim, in her 70’s, began sending him money to help with his relocation expenses.

The scammer married the woman over the phone – something he said was a legal marriage in Scotland – but he needed more money to move to the United States. He asked for $3 million.

The victim was financially exploited over a five year period. The victim gave him around $500,000. She even obtained a $27,000 personal loan and cashed in the value of her life insurance policy. When the cash ran out her internet husband also disappeared.

The victim was able to provide law enforcement investigators a trail of receipts and documents. But authorities say it will be nearly impossible to locate the scammer or recovery any of the money.

Romance and bride scams are widespread and often pray upon the lonely and seniors. Scammers always request money but find excuses not to conduct a video chat or meet in person. Often their stories are inconsistent and they have poor grammar. Their social media profiles are usually very limited. Never send money and trust your instincts.