Liza Jane Likins faced an enormous life change after updating her social media profile to reflect the loss of her husband, who passed away after 23 years of marriage. This simple act unwittingly opened the door to a devastating Nigerian online romance scam, costing her over $1 million in cash and cryptocurrency.
For two long years, Likins found herself entangled in a complex scam orchestrated by a man who claimed to be an Australian gold miner. He wooed her with stolen photographs of a German life coach, building a deceitful relationship online.
“I had nothing left. I sold my house,” Likins lamented. Thankfully, she hesitated to sell her car just as the scammer began manipulating her into making more significant financial sacrifices. “I wanted to end my life. I lost 40 pounds, and my utilities were cut off twice,” she described her dire situation.
The troubles began shortly after she made her Facebook profile a tribute to her late husband, marking herself as a widow. “That was a big mistake,” she noted. “It was like putting up a sign that said, ‘scam bait.’”
In the beginning, the scammer was charming and attentive, reaching out daily. Likins recalled how he shared elaborate stories with photos that seemed genuine. “I thought he might be alright when he sent me a picture near a statue of Buddha,” she said.
Soon, she was misled to believe that this charming suitor was stuck in Australia and needed money to cover his Wi-Fi costs. This began a series of increasingly complicated requests for money, each more elaborate than the last. The scammer claimed to need funds for communication devices, shipping costs, and other made-up expenses.
Even as her financial situation worsened, Likins was deeply ensnared in this web of deception. “I went to the airport multiple times to pick him up, only to discover the flights were nonexistent,” she recounted, realization dawning only too late.
The turning point came when she unknowingly turned on a television show called “Social Catfish,” which focused on verifying online identities. Shocked to see a story resembling her own, she reached out to the show’s producers for help.
With their assistance, a deeper investigation uncovered the true identity of the scammer. In an unexpected twist, she connected with the real person whose images were misused. This individual was a well-known German life coach, who offered her support and insights to help her heal and move forward.
Despite the heartbreak and financial ruin, Likins emerged stronger, determined to share her story to warn others about the perils of online scams. “I aim to help others like me avoid falling into these traps,” she said, embracing her journey toward healing and empowerment.
