Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has recently raises an alarm over rising cases of “romance scams” that are targeting residents of Iowa. In a recent case, an Iowa woman was tricked into sending over $10,000 through a Bitcoin ATM to a scammer she believed was her soulmate, only to discover she had been cruelly deceived.
The scam began when the woman befriended the scammer on Facebook. Over time, the two bonded over shared interests, including music and art, building what she thought was a genuine friendship.
As the relationship deepened, the scammer fabricated a story about needing money to obtain a certificate from Turkey, supposedly required for his return to the United States. While eager to help, the woman maxed out her credit card and sent more than $10,000 through a Bitcoin ATM, trusting that her new friend was in genuine need.
Despite repeated promises that he would soon return home, the scammer continued to delay, demanding more money and preying on the woman’s goodwill. It wasn’t until the Iowa Attorney General’s Office reached out that she realized she had been caught in a scam, with little hope of recovering her lost funds.
Attorney General Bird is urging Iowans to be vigilant and cautious, especially when dealing with people they meet online.
Scammers are evil con artists who take advantage of good people, and they will not stop until they take everything you have
Bird further advises against sending money to anyone online, sharing personal information, or responding to unsolicited messages or calls.
Also read: South Korean Police Arrest Crypto Scammer Despite Costly Plastic Surgery
