For a 73-year-old man from the Hartford area, the scam started with a Facebook message from an unfamiliar woman who seemed friendly and caring. They messaged back and forth so much that he started referring to her as his girlfriend.
Then she started asking him for money, for what she described as business opportunities. It began with small amounts before escalating to $20,000—supposedly to pay taxes on a $500,000 windfall. His bank noticed irregular activity on his account and warned it might be a scam, but he wired his “girlfriend” the money anyway, says Dorian Long, manager of the Protective Services for the Elderly program, part of the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
Long is now investigating the matter as a case of financial exploitation. But the chances of success aren’t good; once a wire transfer occurs, it can be tough to recover the funds.
A new state law, which goes into effect July 1, is designed to prevent such exploitation by authorizing banks and other financial institutions to put a temporary hold on suspicious activities if the victim is 60 or older. The law says financial institutions may report suspected abuse to the state’s Department of Banking or Department of Social Services for investigation. If warranted, the police are also contacted.
