An Oak Bay man has lost a substantial amount of money after becoming the victim of a romance scam.
The incident, which occurred over several months, is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with online relationships and the importance of staying vigilant in the digital age.
On Wednesday, October 5th, at around 12:53 p.m., Oak Bay Police responded to a report of a $150,000 fraud.
The victim, an Oak Bay resident, informed authorities that he had met a woman on Facebook in December 2022, sparking an ongoing relationship between the two.
The woman, who claimed to live in the southern United States, gradually began requesting money from the unsuspecting Oak Bay resident for various purposes, including airline tickets, medical bills, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The alleged scammer presented herself as someone in dire need, explaining that she had a significant financial payment on the horizon but required funds in advance to secure it.
“The woman told the Oak Bay resident she had a large financial payment coming due to her soon but needed funding in advance to secure it,” said Oak Bay police in a release Wednesday.
The most compelling part of her narrative was the promise that, once she received the necessary funds, she would relocate to Canada to live together with her online suitor.
As the deception continued, the woman requested the Oak Bay resident to share their banking information. However, upon refusing to comply with this demand, the woman abruptly cut off all communication.
The victim reported that, throughout this ordeal, he had provided a substantial amount of money to the scammer, ultimately losing a staggering $150,000.
