Five Top Signs Someone You Love is Being Scammed

I recently wrote an article with this title for Medium. What my sister and I endured during those horrible months when a criminal on the other side of the planet had her in his grasp, is something I hope to warn other's at risk. If you or a loved one is searching for love online, please educate yourselves so that you can recognize a scammer should he appear on your screen. Some of these scammers are highly sophisticated. The guy who latched onto my sister was, as I described him, "...must have earned a Ph.D. in Scammer Sciences."

Yet the vast majority of criminals who think they can dupe you are pretty transparent in their amateur attempts. Their use of the English language is clumsy; their profession of love comes way too fast; they are always in a foreign land due to business or some other critical reason; a crisis occurs where they desperately need your financial help; they always have an excuse as to why they cannot share a video call with you.

We hope our words of advice and our personal experience dealing with a romance scam criminal will help others avoid the same fate.

Patsy Roach talks with Shelley & Linda in a fun, quirky interview

Patsy Roach has called our book Her King the Con: How An Online Love Affair Led to Near Disaster, "the Bible" where romance scams are concerned. When Patsy launched her new podcast Online Dating with Patsy, my sister Linda and I jumped at the chance to be her guests! Patsy describes her podcasts as "the hilarious, true and sometimes scary stories of online romance scammers." Patsy's personality Is showcased by her wonderful laugh, honest, salt-of-the-earth observations and her pink hair! Linda and I enjoyed every minute of our talk with Patsy and we are so grateful to her for all her support in getting our book into the hands of people who are at risk of becoming romance scam victims. Please tune in!

Interview with Jules Hanaford, Hong Kong Confidential

My sister Linda Young and I were interviewed about our book Her King the Con and how to extract yourself or a loved one from a romance scam. Hong Kong Confidential educates and entertains its audience with guests who share their insights and experiences that are fascinating and meaningful. Linda and I were honored to receive the invitation to speak with Jules. This interview proved to be one of our favorites so far. Jules herself was once scammed by an internet Romeo. She empathized with our experience and heartache. Speaking with Jules was cathartic and we hope helpful to her faithful listeners. Please tune in!