Michael Hayden

Victim Location 18951

Total money lost $2,000

Type of a scam Family/Friend Emergency

Received a friend request from him. Started chatting on yahoo messenger (1st flag) building a relationship. After a few weeks I noticed he was really not providing much information about himself. Said he live d in Tampa Florida, was an engineer, widowed and had 2 kids. (2nd flag) it did seem fishy, but he kept reeling me in with romance and future plans and concern for my family and my well being. Then he said he had to go the U.K. For his work. (3rd flag) we were talking every day, a few times a day. I was definitely falling fast. He knew it. He gave me a number to contact him in the U.K. So I could call him, but he said he could not call me (4th flag) but I payed it no mind. He claimed he needed money for his bills in Florida, and for his kids, which were being taken care of by a nanny (5th flag) I fell for it and didn’t even think twice. So I sent money through western union. My cell phone bill was 1,200 from calling and talking to him. Few weeks later he did ask for money again, I wanted to help and was trying, but my gut instincts were really kicking in. I would ask him if there was anything going on, I felt uneasy. So I researched any info I had and realized what had actually happened. I began to look into online dating scams and it couldn’t have been more true. I have blocked him from any contact. I know I have lost some money. I should have listened a little better to my instincts in the beginning. The relationship lasted about 4 months.