Catfishing Scam Victims

Creator at Obomedia
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Daily

So, you meet someone online. The photos look real, the conversations get personal, and somehow they always know exactly what to say. Then one tiny detail doesn’t match. And another. Catfishing Scam Victims dives into online relationships that seemed completely normal—until suspicious excuses, changing stories and unexpected red flags revealed that the person behind the screen might not be who they claimed to be. Fake identities, manipulated photos, romance scams and carefully constructed lies can turn trust into a maze of questions. Each story follows the human side of online deception: how the connection became believable, what first raised suspicion, and the discoveries that began pulling the illusion apart. Because when the profile, the promises and even the person you fell for could all be fake, there’s only one question left: who have you really been talking to?

  1. 22h ago

    The Chekhov Paperback: How a Scammer Knew Her Ending

    The Chekhov Paperback: How a Scammer Knew Her Ending Imagine finding a book left for you, inscribed with a message only you could understand, by a man who doesn't exist. This chilling detail is just one piece of a sophisticated romance scam that targeted a retired teacher, leaving her with a dangerous medical emergency and thousands of dollars lost. How did a scammer know so much about his victim, even predicting her ending? In this episode, we uncover the story of Sandra Stevens, a high school English teacher from Dellmoor, Ohio, who fell victim to a meticulously crafted online deception. We explore how a man named Kevin Marsh built an entire persona around Sandra's deepest passions and vulnerabilities, leading her to trust him with her secrets and her savings. Person: Sandra Stevens Location: Dellmoor, Ohio Amount Lost: eight thousand two hundred dollars Scammer's Real Name: Kevin Marsh Scammer's Fake Persona: Eric Williams - A paperback copy of Chekhov's The Duel was left at Aldersgate Community Church on May fourteen. - Sandra Stevens, a retired teacher, wired $8,200 to a man she had never met. - The scammer, Kevin Marsh, was 43 years old and lived in a Columbus suburb. - The profile photo used by "Eric Williams" was of Stephen Kraft, a retired rare books librarian from Portland, Oregon. - Sandra's online bio, "retired teacher in Ohio who believed Chekhov was the most honest writer who ever lived," became the blueprint for the scam. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  2. 1d ago

    The Missionary, The Mark, and The Stolen Faces

    The Missionary, The Mark, and The Stolen Faces Imagine finding a laminated photograph of three children, perfectly dry, wedged in a sycamore tree's roots on a newly opened trail. This discovery, made by Sandra Polk in April 2023, connects to a woman named Crystal Collins, who, at the same hour, stared at a zero bank balance. How did a single image link two strangers to a man neither had ever met, and what devastating romantic scam did it expose? In this episode, we uncover the meticulous life of Crystal Collins, a 21-year-old intake coordinator with a gift for connecting with people, who sought companionship through a dating app. Her encounter with a profile claiming to be Gina Rogers, a Christian missionary in Malawi, led to a deep emotional bond and a series of events that would leave her financially devastated. Person: Crystal Collins Date: September 2021 Location: Harwick Status: Victim of a romantic scam Case: Stolen identities and financial fraud - Sandra Polk found a laminated photograph in April 2023 on the Gregory Lewis Trail at Shady Bluff Reservoir. - Crystal Collins, 22, discovered her bank balance was zero for the third consecutive morning. - The photograph Crystal printed and sent to her mother was stolen from a 2020 newsletter of a legitimate child welfare organization. - The children in the photo had different names in the original newsletter and had never been to Malawi. - The profile photo of "Gina Rogers" belonged to a nurse practitioner in Georgia who had reported its misuse for two years. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  3. 2d ago

    The Badge in the Slough: He Lost $14,000 to a Ghost

    The Badge in the Slough: He Lost $14,000 to a Ghost Imagine pulling a bone-dry laminated ID badge from eight feet underwater, a discovery that unravels a five-year, three-state romance scam. This single artifact, found by a fisher in a slough, became the key to exposing a fraud so meticulously crafted it defied detection for years. How did a simple fishing trip expose a ghost? In this episode, we delve into the story of James Norris, a methodical estimator from Dellwood, Indiana, who lost $14,000 to a sophisticated online romance scam. We explore the careful construction of the fraud, the subtle red flags missed, and the unexpected way a badge in a slough brought it all to light. Person: James Norris Loss: $14,000 Location: Dellwood, Indiana Discovery Date: March 9, 2019 Scam Duration: At least five years - Rebecca Morgan found a dry laminated ID badge eight feet below the waterline in Pelican Creek slough. - The badge belonged to Methodist General Hospital, Terre Haute, Indiana. - James Norris, a 38-year-old estimator, lost $14,000 over six weeks in early 2019. - His best friend, Gina Jensen, a paralegal, noticed a "filing instinct" about the narrative. - James met "Eric Tillman" at the Ironwood Grille in Terre Haute after two weeks of texting. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  4. 3d ago

    The Phone on the Mailbox: He Loved a Ghost

    The Phone on the Mailbox: He Loved a Ghost Imagine finding a cell phone on a mailbox with a message that begins, "You are the only person in this world who understands what I'm doing here." This discovery led investigators to unravel fourteen months of calls, transfers, voice messages, and a marriage proposal, revealing a shocking romance scam. How could a man fall in love with someone who didn't exist? In this episode, we explore the story of Raymond Parker, a 61-year-old widower who, after losing his wife, sought connection through a wellness app. His journey into a sophisticated online deception highlights how carefully crafted manipulation can target profound grief and lead to a devastating romantic fraud. Person: Raymond Parker Date: February 2023 Location: Denton, Indiana App: NutraPath Doctor: Alan Forsythe - A county surveyor found Raymond Parker's cell phone on a mailbox in February 2023. - The phone contained 14 months of communications, including a marriage proposal. - Raymond's nutrition coach, "LoriW_NutraPro," used a profile photo stolen from a Brazilian fitness influencer. - The real woman in the photo had over 200,000 followers and posted in Portuguese. - Raymond meticulously logged call times in a paper ledger, with calls lasting from 40 minutes to over two hours. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  5. 4d ago

    The Septic Tank, The Yellow Line, The Stolen Face

    The Septic Tank, The Yellow Line, The Stolen Face A zipped plastic bag found in a septic tank in rural Wyoming contained a wire transfer instruction sheet with a single yellow highlighter line. This seemingly minor detail would take investigators nine months to decipher, ultimately revealing a shocking truth about what Janet Weaver was trying to communicate. Could a simple mark expose a complex romantic scam? In this episode, we delve into the life of Janet Weaver, a resilient widow in Merritt Flats, Wyoming, who meticulously managed her ranch and finances after her husband's sudden death. We explore how her disciplined nature made her both trustworthy to banks and a target for a sophisticated scammer, and how a series of small requests escalated into a significant financial loss. Person: Janet Weaver Location: Merritt Flats, Wyoming Object: Wire transfer instruction sheet Amount: $14,000 Method: Zelle, wire transfer - John Doyle discovered a plastic bag in a septic access port in Merritt Flats, Wyoming. - The bag contained a wire transfer instruction sheet with a yellow highlighter line under the routing number. - Janet Weaver, a 24-year-old widow, inherited four certificates of deposit totaling $85,000. - Daniel Holt, claiming to be a rancher on a UN deployment, requested $240 via Zelle from Janet. - Janet wired $14,000 for Daniel's supposed early repatriation flight, which resolved in Ghana. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  6. 5d ago

    The Chess Master Who Played Your Heart for $22,000

    The Chess Master Who Played Your Heart for $22,000 Imagine a friendship so meticulously crafted, every conversation a calculated move, that it leads to a $22,000 loss. How could a seasoned systems analyst, aware of vulnerabilities, fall victim to a romantic scam built not on love, but on the precise logic of a chess game? In this episode, we uncover the story of Gregory Allen, a man whose life revolved around the predictable patterns of chess and his weekly dinners with his sister. We explore how a seemingly innocent online chess match evolved into a deep friendship, carefully engineered to exploit his trust and lead to significant financial loss. Person: Gregory Allen Amount: $22,000 Location: Braddock, Indiana Date: December 11 Object: Handwritten chess card - Carol Riley found a handwritten chess card with 43 moves at Mercer Flats. - Gregory Allen, a 47-year-old senior systems analyst, wired $22,000 to a scammer. - He had been divorced for six years, had no children, and lived alone in Meridian Crossing. - Gregory played chess at a club level and maintained an account on ChessCircle. - The scammer, using the account KingswalkCG, challenged Gregory to a game in late March. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  7. 6d ago

    The Gold Earring on the Welcome Mat

    The Gold Earring on the Welcome Mat A fourteen-year-old paper carrier found a front door ajar and a single gold earring on a welcome mat, signaling the disappearance of Rhonda Hoffman. What seemed like a simple missing person case quickly unraveled into a complex romantic scam, revealing a meticulously crafted deception. How did a small detail like a gold earring become the key to understanding a woman's vanishing? In this episode, we delve into the disappearance of Rhonda Hoffman, a lymphoma survivor who found herself entangled in a sophisticated online romance. We explore the subtle red flags and the calculated manipulation that led to her vanishing, and how investigators pieced together the truth behind a seemingly perfect online connection. Person: Rhonda Hoffman Age: 31 Year: 2018 Location: Millhaven Terrace, Garnet Falls, Indiana Occupation: Administrative Coordinator - Wendy Foster, 14, discovered Rhonda Hoffman's open front door at 5:40 AM on a Tuesday in the second week of November. - A single gold hoop earring was found centered on the welcome mat, surrounded by dried mud. - Rhonda Hoffman was a three-year lymphoma survivor, diagnosed at 27, who underwent two rounds of chemotherapy and one surgery. - She joined the "Clear Margins: Life After Lymphoma" Facebook group, where she was contacted by "Richard Murphy," 53. - The first wire transfer from Rhonda to "Richard Murphy" was for $1,100 in September 2018. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

  8. Sep 29

    The Dry Box: 47 Letters, Zero Money, Two Lost Years

    The Dry Box: 47 Letters, Zero Money, Two Lost Years Imagine finding a box of 47 handwritten letters, perfectly dry after weeks under eleven inches of snow, only to discover they reveal a two-year romantic deception. This true story of a lonely woman, a pen-pal program, and a mysterious correspondent from Toronto will make you question everything you thought you knew about trust and connection. Could you spot the signs of a romance scam before it's too late? In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary case of Jean Jenkins, a meticulous records coordinator whose life took an unexpected turn after joining a pen-pal program. We explore the 28-month correspondence with Douglas Andrews, a man claiming to be a West African refugee in Canada, and the shocking events that led Jean to abandon the letters on a snowy county road. Person: Jean Jenkins Location: Millhaven County, Toronto Duration: 28 months Object: 47 handwritten letters Status: Case decided by a jury - Steven Allen, a grader operator, discovered the box at 6:40 AM on a Tuesday in February. - The box contained 47 handwritten letters, a small framed photograph, and a pressed violet. - Detective Troy Ward spent two days reading all 47 letters after the box arrived at the sheriff's property room. - Jean Jenkins, 52, had worked as a records coordinator for 21 years and was a literacy tutor for 9 years. - The pen-pal program was coordinated by Victor Solis and had been running for eleven years. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

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About

So, you meet someone online. The photos look real, the conversations get personal, and somehow they always know exactly what to say. Then one tiny detail doesn’t match. And another. Catfishing Scam Victims dives into online relationships that seemed completely normal—until suspicious excuses, changing stories and unexpected red flags revealed that the person behind the screen might not be who they claimed to be. Fake identities, manipulated photos, romance scams and carefully constructed lies can turn trust into a maze of questions. Each story follows the human side of online deception: how the connection became believable, what first raised suspicion, and the discoveries that began pulling the illusion apart. Because when the profile, the promises and even the person you fell for could all be fake, there’s only one question left: who have you really been talking to?

Information

  • Creator
    Creator at Obomedia
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 OBOMEDIA Creators
  • Show Website
    Catfishing Scam Victims

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