A Caboolture disability pensioner has lost $40,000 and is weeks away from homelessness after falling victim to an international online romance scam.
Scam Began with Instagram Message
Tracey Skeates, 63, said the scam began in October 2023 when a woman claiming to be “Charlotte” from the United States contacted him via Instagram. She told him she was looking for companionship after a breakup. The relationship quickly escalated, with “Charlotte” requesting money to fix her phone within a week of contact.
Over the next 15 months, Skeates sent regular payments, often using his disability pension. He sold his car and pawned cherished items, including his guitars, to meet her repeated demands for funds. In total, he lost $40,000, which included a significant portion of an inheritance he had planned to use for retirement.
Repeated False Promises
Skeates described how “Charlotte” claimed she wanted to move to Australia and be his wife, but alleged misfortunes repeatedly thwarted her attempts to travel. She cited incidents such as being assaulted, falling into a coma, and being caught up in a heroin-smuggling setup. Each crisis led to more requests for financial assistance, which Skeates provided, believing her stories.
The communication was limited to Instagram messages and WhatsApp calls, with “Charlotte” claiming her phone camera was broken. Payments were made through untraceable methods, such as Apple gift cards and Bitcoin.
Discovery of the Scam
Months into the relationship, Skeates performed a reverse image search of the photos “Charlotte” had sent. The search revealed the images were of a Colombian model with no connection to the scam. Despite learning the truth, Skeates said he continued to send money, citing the emotional manipulation he experienced.
“I lost the ability to think straight,” he said, adding that he now regrets not recognising the warning signs earlier.
Impact on Family and Life
The scam devastated Skeates financially and emotionally. He now faces the prospect of living in a tent, having depleted his resources. His relationship with his daughter, Tamika, became strained after she expressed concerns about the authenticity of the relationship. She described feeling frustrated when Skeates sold his car despite her warnings.
Despite the financial and emotional toll, Skeates’ grandsons have rallied to support him by setting up a GoFundMe campaign to replace his car, hoping to help him regain some stability.
Romance Scams on the Rise
According to ScamWatch, more than 27,000 Australians fell victim to romance scams in 2024, collectively losing nearly $20 million. In Queensland alone, 656 victims lost a total of $3 million. ScamWatch warns that such scams often spike during the holiday season when vulnerable individuals may be more susceptible to manipulation.
Experts advise anyone who suspects they are being scammed to seek help immediately and not feel ashamed. Authorities stress that scammers are skilled at exploiting human psychology to isolate victims from their support networks.
Raising Awareness
Skeates said he hopes his story will serve as a warning to others about the dangers of online scams. “If my experience can help just one person avoid this, it’s worth sharing,” he said.
Published 20-Dec-2024
