A central Ohio senior looking for love on an Internet dating web site encountered a con artist instead.
In a new version of an old scam, a Nigerian con artist asked Mount Vernon resident Pam Coffing to send thousands of dollars after exchanging more than 20 emails over a one-week period.
"It was very flattering to hear the things he was saying and I just kind of got sucked right into it," Coffing said. "I believe he played on every emotion that I had knowing that I had been a widower for nine years, knowing that I would be lonely."
The scammer showed patience in trying to build a trust with Coffing through romantic emails before asking her to send cash. The man - or woman - on the other end of the emails claimed to be Baltimore engineer Mike Burrows. The two met on the online dating site seniorpeoplemeet.com when "Burrows" contacted her. Coffing said "Burrows" came across as intelligent, and they discussed plans to meet in person.
"I never had an inkling, until he told me he had a contract in Nigeria," Coffing said. "Very quickly it turned into 'I'm injured, I need money, send me $4,000... They had been attacked by a gang with a knife and sledgehammer."
The scammer sent an x-ray as proof of a broken leg, but by then Coffing knew the familiar con requesting money in Nigeria was on.
In August, the Better Business Bureau warned of a similar scam where con artists use real military photos to create fake soldier dating profiles. The US Army has received hundreds of complaints from victims. The BBB said many of the emails have been traced back to foreign cyber-cafes in Africa, but tracking down the people behind the emails is difficult, if not impossible.
What stood out to Coffing was the con artist's willingness to invest time to build a rapport with her, gain her trust, and then attempt the con. Coffing said she will continue to search for a new love, but is more cautious now and hopes her story can help others avoid being swindled.
"I don't want them to send their money, I don't want them to lose their life savings, but mainly, I just don't want them to be hurt emotionally as I was," Coffing said.
The web site, seniorpeoplemeet.com, is owned by Interactive Corporation, which also owns match.com and other online dating sites. Coffing said IAC has not responded to her concerns, but has blocked the online profile for "Mike Burrows."
NBC 4 contacted IAC twice Friday, but did not receive a response.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail Stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement