Raleigh Durham, NC, September 10, 2026 —

A resident of Moore County, identified only as a 74-year-old woman, has fallen victim to an online romance scam, resulting in a significant financial loss. The woman reported losing nearly $35,000 which she had set aside for her children’s inheritance.

The scam reportedly originated online, a common tactic used by perpetrators of romance scams. These schemes often involve criminals creating fake profiles to build emotional relationships with victims, eventually manipulating them into sending money under false pretenses. The specific details of how the scam unfolded, including the identity of the scammer or the platform used, were not immediately available.

The funds lost by the woman were designated for her children, adding an emotional and familial dimension to the financial devastation. The amount reported lost is nearly $35,000. The victim’s age, 74, places her in a demographic often targeted by such fraud due to potential trust or reduced digital literacy, although scams can affect individuals of any age.

Authorities in Moore County have been alerted to the incident. However, the trend summary provided no information regarding any ongoing investigation, potential recovery of the funds, or actions taken by law enforcement in response to this specific case. The name of the contractor involved, or any other individuals or entities associated with facilitating or perpetrating the scam, was also not provided.

Online romance scams continue to be a prevalent form of cybercrime, preying on individuals seeking companionship. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported billions of dollars lost to these types of scams nationwide. This incident in Moore County serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online relationships and the importance of vigilance against fraudulent schemes.



Story summarized from the original created by Diane Wilson on abc11.com, see more information here.

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