The Heartbreaking Tale of a Romance Scam Victim
Ava Waller, a 76-year-old grandmother from Harlow, Essex, found herself entangled in a devastating romance scam that drained her life savings and shattered her trust. What began as an online friendship with a man named “David West” quickly spiraled into a two-year ordeal marked by manipulation, deception, and financial ruin.
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A False Connection
In 2018, Ava’s journey into heartbreak started when David complimented her photos on Facebook. He presented himself as a charming American oil-rig worker, sharing stories of his life at sea and using stolen images of Dr. Mark Smith, a real chiropractor from Indiana whose likeness is often misused by scammers. For Ava, who was grieving the loss of her mother and navigating life after divorce, David’s attention became a comforting presence.
What followed was a daily correspondence that evolved into what Ava believed was a genuine relationship. She described how David spun tales of hardship—delayed flights, equipment issues, and family emergencies—that tugged at her heartstrings and compelled her to help financially.
Financial Exploitation
Initially, Ava sent small amounts of money to assist David, but these payments soon escalated into thousands of pounds. When staff at her local Post Office expressed concerns about her frequent transactions, she switched to using different banks to avoid scrutiny—even avoiding her daughter, who worked in banking, for fear of being stopped.
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“I was stupid,” Ava admitted, reflecting on her actions. “I probably knew in my heart of hearts that what the people at the Post Office suspected was true, but I wanted David to be real and for the fairytale to come true, I suppose.”
Manipulation and Deception
The scammer expertly manipulated Ava, exploiting her emotional vulnerabilities. When confronted, he would spin convincing excuses, claiming that others doubted him too but promised that Ava would eventually get her money back. He even went so far as to promise marriage and buying a home together, all while continuing to request more funds.
Ava recalled noticing inconsistencies, such as David’s accent sounding more African than American, but he always had plausible explanations ready. Her disbelief in the scam persisted until a hospital emergency in 2020 exposed the truth.
Unraveling the Lie
During her hospitalization for life-threatening sepsis, Ava’s son Steven discovered the extent of the deception. Messages from David demanding updates about a supposed money package revealed the scam’s magnitude. Further investigation showed Ava had unknowingly participated in a potential money laundering scheme.
“It was all very embarrassing,” Ava recounted. “I was sitting there in tears as my pretend world was coming crashing down about my ears.”
Aftermath and Lessons Learned
Following the revelation, Ava reported the scam to the police, who confiscated a recent cash delivery of £600. However, due to the international nature of the fraud, recovering her lost £67,000 seemed unlikely. Names like Oghogho Igbinuvia and Beverley Rojas surfaced during the investigation, indicating a complex network of deceit.
Today, Ava keeps receipts of all her money transfers as painful reminders of her experience. She has learned to perform reverse photo searches and urges others never to send money to someone they don’t know personally.
“If anyone’s reading this, they should follow that one piece of advice,” she implored. “Once I stopped sending David the money, he became quite angry and abusive, so the mask fell away, which helped me see more clearly.”
Ava’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online relationships and the importance of vigilance in protecting oneself from financial exploitation.
