It could be the cruelest form of online scams – the romantic kind.
People are preying off the vulnerability of people who feel lonely. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Better Business Bureau is warning that romance scams are on the rise.
“I mean, we are a lot more vulnerable and we’re craving human connection. Especially people that don’t have family living in their home with them,” said Amy Rasor, BBB Fort Worth regional director. “They’re alone, that connectivity and making a connection with another person is very attractive right now. Unfortunately, there are people taking advantage of that.”
One Texas woman is sharing her story of a recent close call with someone she thought loved her.
LOOKING FOR LOVE
Yvonne Costales, a 68-year old grandmother who lives in the Houston area, was in search of a connection.
“I haven’t dated for a long time and I’ve been single for about 10 years, so I decided to go on Tinder,” she told NBC 5. “I just felt like maybe I could find someone, even if it’s just a companion.”
Yvonne Costales
Through the app, she met “Robert,” who claimed to be a 57-year old working in Dallas.
They talked through text messages and phone calls every day. He sent her flowers and pictures of himself.
“He was very handsome. His profile was really nice. He seemed athletic,” she recalled. “I fell in love with his…
