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Caught in a Romance Scam: A Real Story and How to Stay Safe

Romance scams are more common than most of us think. Often, they don’t start with flowers and sweet nothings. Sometimes, they begin with a random phone call and end in emotional and financial devastation. I want to share a real-life story that happened to a close friend of mine in the U.S. His name is James. He's a smart, successful guy who recently got engaged.

What happened to James could happen to anyone. His story is a wake-up call for all of us.

The Story: A Scam That Started With Love and Ended in Fear

Romance Scam

James lives in California and recently got engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Emily. Everything seemed perfect until one afternoon, Emily received a call from an unknown number. The person on the other end claimed to be an old friend of James and asked a few vague questions about him.

James lives in California and recently got engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Emily. Everything seemed perfect until one afternoon, Emily received a call from an unknown number. The person on the other end claimed to be an old friend of James and asked a few vague questions about him.

James lives in California and recently got engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Emily. Everything seemed perfect until one afternoon, Emily received a call from an unknown number. The person on the other end claimed to be an old friend of James and asked a few vague questions about him.

Red Flags

Concerned, Emily told James about the call. He, feeling curious and a bit cautious, decided to call the number back. The person on the other end seemed friendly and persuasive. “Hey man, I have something to show you, let’s jump on a video call real quick,” the scammer said casually.

Concerned, Emily told James about the call. He, feeling curious and a bit cautious, decided to call the number back. The person on the other end seemed friendly and persuasive. “Hey man, I have something to show you, let’s jump on a video call real quick,” the scammer said casually.

Concerned, Emily told James about the call. He, feeling curious and a bit cautious, decided to call the number back. The person on the other end seemed friendly and persuasive. “Hey man, I have something to show you, let’s jump on a video call real quick,” the scammer said casually.

Emotional Side 

Thinking it might genuinely be someone from the past, James agreed. But what happened next shocked him to the core.

Thinking it might genuinely be someone from the past, James agreed. But what happened next shocked him to the core.

Thinking it might genuinely be someone from the past, James agreed. But what happened next shocked him to the core.

Protected Yourself

As soon as the video call connected, James found himself staring at a topless woman on the other end. Before he could even process what was happening, the call ended. Minutes later, the same number sent him a message: “We recorded everything. Pay us or we’ll send this video to your fiancée, your family, your employer, everyone.” James was devastated. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but now he was caught in a trap. His mind spiraled into fear and panic. What if they followed through? What if his relationship or career got ruined over something he didn’t even choose to be part of?

As soon as the video call connected, James found himself staring at a topless woman on the other end. Before he could even process what was happening, the call ended. Minutes later, the same number sent him a message: “We recorded everything. Pay us or we’ll send this video to your fiancée, your family, your employer, everyone.” James was devastated. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but now he was caught in a trap. His mind spiraled into fear and panic. What if they followed through? What if his relationship or career got ruined over something he didn’t even choose to be part of?

As soon as the video call connected, James found himself staring at a topless woman on the other end. Before he could even process what was happening, the call ended. Minutes later, the same number sent him a message: “We recorded everything. Pay us or we’ll send this video to your fiancée, your family, your employer, everyone.” James was devastated. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but now he was caught in a trap. His mind spiraled into fear and panic. What if they followed through? What if his relationship or career got ruined over something he didn’t even choose to be part of?