Michael J Truitt
Romance Fraud
Martinez, California
He contacted me on Match, we began IM back and forth. His profile disappeared from Match which he explained away as his membership expiring and that he was happy with the woman he found, in me.
Soon, multiple IM daily with phone calls. He had lost his wife and daughter in tragic auto accident 6 years prior and was now ready to date. Said he moved to CA from Houston to start anew. Portrayed himself as being raised in Jamaica until age 30 - very strong accent. Sent pictures of middle aged white male. Sent flowers (I asked for his mail address before providing mine.)
Then surprise, he received a contract from Shell Oil in Nigeria. Had to fly out ASAP. Continued IM. Then on Thursday, emergency text, via a New York phone number, stating he had been mugged, needed to go to the hospital and you guessed it, could I wire him some money. My heart sank. Suddenly it all made sense. What an elaborate hoax. He is articulate, poetic, romantic, has a great way with words. He actually can spell. But - it is all a facade. Be very careful. When confronted, he became defensive and very "hurt" as how I could suggest that this was a hoax. Then I felt badly, but still refused to send money.
Funny - the contacts have stopped, other than a midnight text telling me the hotel in Nigeria lost internet access and I could call the international number.
Note - I am an intelligent, independent woman with a graduate degree - and still got caught up in the possibilities. Silly me.