Susan sent $1,200 in cash by mail. Stephen offered to help Susan with her bills and late RV payments. He promised to send a parcel full of gold, cash, and jewelry for their future together. The package didn’t arrive. Instead, Susan began to receive messages from someone claiming to be a U.S. diplomat, saying money was needed to clear the package through customs. The requests kept coming, with repeated claims about customs problems.
She says it felt real and that she believed he was being honest.
Susan hopes that by sharing her story, she can prevent others from being caught in similar scams. Her message is clear. As much as you want it to be true, “it’s not real. Her account also points to how quietly these crimes often play out. Her decision to speak publicly about losing her home and life savings stands against that silence, and she hopes it helps the next person recognize the warning signs sooner.
An AARP survey fielded in November 2025 found that 55% of romance scam incidents involving adults 50 and older are never reported. Because of stigma or not knowing where to turn, it’s often.
