The 79-year-old man says it all began when he received a text from “Lisa Love.” He ended up transferring over $125,000 to a fraudulent account in Vietnam.
TOLEDO, Ohio — EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
A 79-year-old Toledo man says he lost more than $125,000 in a romance scam.
It began in July of last year when he received a random text from someone named “Lisa Love.”
“We started talking through text and we had a few phone calls,” the man, who asked to be referred to as “Mark” to protect his identity, said. “I just recently got a divorce and I was lonely. She fit right into my attitude that was happening at that point.”
He said they even talked over video calls a few times, leading him to trust her.
Lisa claimed her aunt was a financial analyst and suggested that Mark invest in gold through a specific website. He eventually transferred most of his life savings, money from a home sale after his divorce, to what police said was a fraudulent company.
Mark said the funds were ultimately sent to an account in Vietnam. After the transfers were complete, Lisa disappeared.
“It turned out to be my life savings pretty much,” he said. “I actually had thoughts of suicide.”
Mark is now working with the Toledo Police Department, who he says have also contacted the FBI, to find the culprit, though authorities admit recovering the funds is unlikely.
“If it’s within hours of the money being transferred, it’s possible to get it back,” said Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn. “You go more than hours, it’s over.”
Despite the loss, Mark hopes sharing his story will prevent others from falling victim.
“I don’t want this to happen to someone else,” he said. “It was so easy; it shouldn’t have happened to me. But it did.”
Wasylyshyn advises never to send money to people you’ve never met.
The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for anyone in distress and resources for anyone who may need help. By dialing 988, you can be connected with a local crisis center 24/7 for help. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.
The Lucas County Emotional Support Line is available at 419-442-0580 from 8 a.m. to midnight and offers peer support.
If you want to talk to someone and are not in immediate danger, Text “HOME” to 741741 to be connected to the Crisis Text Line and a trained counselor. There is no charge and the information will not show up on your phone bill. You can also chat online at www.crisistextline.org.
If you are a young member of the LGBTQ+ community and need help in any way, call the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386. Calls made to the Trevor Project are free and kept confidential.
Emergency Mental Health Support
The Lucas County Crisis CARE Line is available at 419-904-2273 to connect with a local, trained crisis counselor to discuss a mental health emergency 24/7.
The Wood County Crisis Line offers immediate assistance by calling 419-502-4673.
If a situation involves immediate danger to you or a loved one, NAMI Greater Toledo says calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to tell 911 that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention.
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