Worried

I believe my mother, age 70+ is involved with a scammer. She has been communicating and says she has met him and his daughter. Met him on Match.com. He goes by Steve Watson. He describes himself as an engineer, working globally but living in Hutto Texas, originally from Stockholm Sweden. His daughter is in Manchester UK in school. My mother speaks with him on the phone daily and he texts alot He has had her wire a lot of money overseas to Dubai, Stockholm and the UK to pay for medical bills etc...He is always not showing up due to drama. Last weekend it was because he was kidnapped and beaten after being detained at a variety of airports and extorted for a lot of money. When she went to the airport where he was "detained" he wasn't there and security said he wouldn't be detained there anyway. Now he wants to meet up with her and take her to a bank and "pay her back" twice what she has given him. If this story sounds similar, please let me know. I have one photo she has shared with me. No email or phone number. Any advice or insights appreciated.

This definitely sounds like a scam and the script and scenario are textbook romance scammer .

Welcome to Scamwarners,

It is 100% a scam. The scammer will never come to meet your mother. He will make up all kinds of reasons why he can not and request more money.

Please read here viewtopic.php?f=13&t=25 and here viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3607 .

My advice is to sit down with her and show her the links I have given you. If this does not help try contacting your local police or a social agency to see if someone will come talk with her.

You will have to be gentle because the scammer will tell her you are trying to stop them from being together. The scammer has a hold and will do his best to split you and your mother.

Your last resort will be legal help to help your mother from becoming bankrupt.