Pennsylvania woman loses more than $384K in alleged romance scam

A 63-year-old woman from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is believed to have lost around $384,000, along with hundreds of Apple gift cards, in an alleged romance and catfishing scam. Pennsylvania State Police shared that the Jonestown Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the reported fraud, which happened on Sept. 6. The investigation remains ongoing as troopers review financial records and transactions to determine the exact amount of the woman's losses and identify accounts and individuals associated with the scheme, according to police. State police are warning people never to send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or financial information to someone they know only online. Police also advise against sending gift card security codes or making wire transfers or withdrawals at the direction of an online romantic partner. People should also be suspicious of anyone claiming to be a celebrity, musician, military member or other professional who cannot meet in person or repeatedly asks for money, state police said. Police also advise people never to provide passwords, Social Security numbers, bank information or verification codes to an online contact and recommend talking with family or a trusted friend before sending money to someone they met online. Social media profiles, photos, videos and even video calls do not prove someone is who they claim to be, police warn.