My recently widowed father (72) is planning a trip across the country to meet a woman who he claims called him by accident and with whom he has since built a romantic (remote) relationship. Here’s what he’s shared with me:

  • He received a “wrong number” call from a woman that led to a number of other conversations online and on the phone that started to take on a romantic tone.
  • He believes she is real because he has checked her out online, including validating that she is indeed the CEO of her company, is 40 years old, and is originally from Taiwan. Haven’t seen this myself.
  • She says she runs this company with her brother in Canada and her father back in Taiwan. The details of the company were not clear to me.
  • They have exchanged photos but not video because her webcam is not working.
  • He is planning a trip to Los Angeles (from the East Coast of US) in a few months to meet her in person. She said her driver will pick him up at the airport.
  • No money has been asked for or sent, according to him.

This is obviously a scam, right? But, without there being an ask for money I can’t figure out the angle and haven’t been able to convince him to disengage.

It is either going to be an ask for money to help her overseas family or a “can’t lose” investment in her company. I’m guessing she’ll back out of the travel plans last minute so they never meet OR he’s going go there and have his organs harvested.

Does anyone recognize this scam? What should we expect next? Has anyone else successfully talked their elderly loved ones out of one of these?

  • illi@piefed.socialEnglish
    24·
    5 hours ago

    This is definitely a scam, though I’m also confused by your dad traveling, usually that’s other way around (and that’s where “complications” happen where money is “needed”).

    Try to tell your dad what you expect coming - there will be complications and she will ask for money. Likely only a little at first, but the number will be rising.

    Also, since they are impersonating (or acting like) a public figure, try searchig for the name online. Your dad is likely not the first (or last) that fell for this particular scam. Other people might be sharing stories with this person. There might be messages shared that people exchanged with the scammer - these will likely match those sent to your dad (the scammers usually have multiple people going at the same time). Use that - if your dad reads on the internet the exact message he got from his love interest, that hopefuly will ring some alarm bells. Though in the age of AI this might not be the case anymore, it’s worth a shot.

    Talk with your dad, ask how things are going and try to be vigilant for money being asked for. Try to poke holes in the stories but be gentle so your dad doesn’t shut you out - he will likely not be that willing to listen. One way or another he will get hurt - you can just minimize the financial damage - or limit it to emotional only.

    Good luck.