90-Year-Old Illinois Man Loses Thousands, Possibly Condo, To Dating Scam Named ‘Alex’

If you know someone older and dating, please watch out for them.

It happens all the time- older folks who are single and want companionship fall for online/app dating scams and bots that make it too easy to extort the person's entire savings.

It Never Ends: Illinois, Watch For These Signs Of A Romance Scam

Now, unfortunately, there's a 90-year-old man in Illinois that has fallen victim to an online dating scam that has drained him of his car, money (mostly via crypto transactions), and now possibly his condo.

The scammers presented themselves as 'Alex' and led the man to believe that they were in a 4-year relationship.

It's clear the man's age was a factor. The victim's friend found that a basic Google search of the scammer's email showed a connection to a scheme. The photo of 'Alex' was also that of a boy band member that could also be found easily via a basic search.

'Alex' promised the man that they will move him to a penthouse in San Diego, provide him with a bodyguard/driver, and help the man adopt twins. Currently, the man lives alone with no immediate family and is getting by on social security.

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Unfortunately, in this man's case, his friend said that he had already reached out to adult protective services on the victim's behalf, the FBI, and the attorney general, to no avail.

If anyone in your family or circle is older and single, make sure they know to look out for lovebombing predatory scammers. They know to exploit lonely folks, especially the elderly.