Elderly Woman Duped Out of Thousands in Romance Scam Involving French Singer
WALLONIA, BELGIUM – A woman in her seventies has been defrauded of approximately 7,000 euros since 2024 by a cybercriminal posing as French singer Pierre Garnier, according to reports from Sudinfo. Despite warnings from her family, the woman continues to send money to the scammer, utilizing her entire pension each month.
The family has grown increasingly concerned for the woman’s well-being, both financially and physically, as she lives in a cold home without heating but prioritizes sending funds to the individual she believes to be her romantic partner. Attempts to convince her of the deception have been unsuccessful, leading to a strained relationship with her children.
The scammer has reportedly suggested meeting the woman in person, raising fears among her relatives that such an encounter could put her safety at risk.”He is already taking her money. We are therefore concerned for her safety when he proposes to meet her,” a family member stated.
Police have been notified and are investigating the case, which echoes a growing trend of romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals. Similar cases,such as that of the “Tinder Swindler,” highlight the elegant methods employed by fraudsters to exploit emotional connections for financial gain.
