They say love can make you do crazy things… but laundering over a million bucks? That’s not Cupid — that’s criminal.
In this publication, we’re uncovering a romance scam with a shocking twist, involving online deceit, stolen funds, and one woman now facing serious jail time. Let’s dive in.
An Oklahoma woman has been charged with laundering nearly $1.5 million from elderly women caught in online romance scams. Victims believed they were sending money to love interests — but the only thing real was the fraud.
How It Works:
Here’s how this heartbreaking scheme played out:
- The Romance Trap: Scammers targeted elderly women online, posing as charming men in fake relationships.
- The Money Requests Begin: Once trust was established, the “boyfriends” asked for money — for emergencies, travel, or investment.
- The Middlewoman: Christine Joan Echohawk allegedly acted as the go-between, collecting the victims’ funds and converting them to cryptocurrency.
- The Disappearing Act: Funds were funneled out, relationships vanished, and the victims were left emotionally and financially devastated.
Who’s Targeted:
Primarily elderly women — ages 64 to 79 — who may be more vulnerable due to isolation, loneliness, or unfamiliarity with digital scams. These cons prey on emotions, not just bank accounts.
Real-Life Example:
One victim reportedly sold her home and sent $600,000 to the scammer she believed she was in love with. Another was blocked just in time when a suspicious $120,000 transfer was flagged by the bank.
Echohawk, 53, is accused of laundering the stolen funds through her accounts at MidFirst Bank, even after being confronted by law enforcement earlier this year.
“These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. “I applaud the work of my Consumer Protection Unit to fight for these victims and hold accountable their alleged perpetrator.”
Why You Should Care:
Romance scams are among the most emotionally damaging frauds. Victims don’t just lose money — they lose trust, security, and in many cases, their life savings.
With the rise of dating apps and online relationships, no one is immune — especially seniors who may be new to digital spaces.
Actionable Steps:
Here’s how to protect yourself and loved ones:
- Talk to your loved ones: Especially older family members. Ask about new online relationships with compassion, not judgment.
- Beware of secrecy: Scammers often urge victims not to tell anyone — that’s a red flag.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person: This includes gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Watch for urgency and emotional manipulation: Scammers fabricate emergencies to tug on heartstrings.
- Report suspicious behavior: Contact local authorities or report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip #1: Did you know? Romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2022 alone — and seniors are the fastest-growing group of victims.
Pro Tip: Use reverse image searches to verify a profile picture — many scammers reuse stolen photos from around the web.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords & Definitions
- Romance Scam: A form of fraud where criminals pretend to be romantically interested in victims to gain their trust and ultimately steal money.
- Money Laundering: The process of disguising illegally obtained money to make it appear legal.
- Cryptocurrency: A digital currency that is often used by scammers to move money anonymously.
- Consumer Protection Unit: A government division focused on protecting individuals from fraud and unfair practices.
- Unlawful Use of Criminal Proceeds: A criminal charge for using money that was obtained illegally.
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