Romance scam victim lost $500,000, shares story for first time

Julie Ericksen lost $500,000 in a romance scam. She tells her story for the first time.

[LOUIE]

I got message once from a “military woman who’s stationed overseas”. I said how’s the weather in Nigeria, then the person disappeared. LOL

[tracystrunkheide]

It's called loneliness....we all want to be loved. As soon as you're asked for money then you know it's a scam!!

[eveharris]

It's funny how a person wouldn't give money to people they know but would give 500, 000 dollars to a person they never met.

[jeanieolahful]

I admire people who are brave enough to share these stories. It must be so embarrassing, but they’re helping others avoid being sucked in.

[merilupa]

Admire her honesty about her foolishness. It's not easy to admit your mistake.

[Hexighost]

soon as you hear the words africa, gold and investment, run, log off, burn the computer

[schawnettarobinson]

If a family member asked for $50, 000, she would say “no.”

[moniqueh]

She is very brave to tell her story. These monsters prey on kind-hearted people. I hope she is ok.

[redwoods]

When they mention "Africa" "Nigeria" "Ghana" "Benin" it's a scam.

[adelafirme]

Mam please don't be so hard on yourself. My mom got scammed also she thought she was in love. She was lonely and craved the attention she was getting. You are a survivor. You will make it.

[bethbattles]

These scammers are HEARTLESS., Another woman scammed told the scammer “Im so upset over what you’ve done I feel like committing suicide” His response DO WHAT YOU’VE GOTTA DO😰🤬😰

[Keep-on-ok]

I saved my sister from a scammer. She fell for his story hook, line and sinker. He said he lived in Europe and he wanted to come to America to meet her.

[crystalclimenhage]

How would someone sell their house for someone they never met?

[michaelmatyas]

Real men would never ask women for money for any reason!

[Emy]

This women lives in a different reality than the scammers. Her perception clearly was not his or hers. These victims have their hearts broken and on top of a broken heart, they now have to deal with losing most of their life savings and then some. Gullible, lonely, vulnerable souls. DO NOT SEND YOUR MONEY TO ANYONE.
Get out of your house, get fresh air, join a travel club, stay off your computer on these dating sites. They only tell you what you want to hear, and that's how they reel you in. NEVER GIVE YOUR MONEY TO ANYONE....

[galaxyglitterlatte]

I have lent $ to "friends" for a few hundred and didn't get it back. I had known these friends for YEARS. That will never happen again...I would NEVER give a dime to someone I didn't know that's for damn sure. If I can't trust people I've known for decades, I sure as hell won't give a dime to a stranger from the internet!!!😱

[chasendashgreen]

Once they ask for money, that's it! communications stops from my end

[AustenAlexander]

MY pictures are stolen ALL of the time. After awhile you would think people would learn not to send money to an unknown person over the internet. You would transfer someone $500, 000 but would think twice about giving $500 to a homeless person. Of course I blame the scammers, they shouldn't be scamming. But most of me wants to blame the ones that actually give money to these people.

[carmencsorba]

She is really an excellent quality person. She is not delusional like many of the scam victims. Wishing her all the luck to get out from this terrible situation.

[shaungriffin]

Them being “stuck” in Nigeria is not your problem if they really want to be with you they will find a way. I had quite a few people saying that they wanted to meet me but needed money and was “stuck” somewhere. I told them plain and simple you being stuck there isn’t my problem.