Today's special Stand Up & Speak Up is a conversation with "Ms. Texas" a survivor of an online relationship scam. This scam started off with playing a game on Words with Friends and a "mutual friend" became our survivor's "love" and then worst nightmare. For the first time we went into a courtroom (The Eastern District of Texas) as members of The Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS) as our survivor presented her Victim Impact Statement to the Judge, the Prosecutors, the FBI, ICE, the Defense team, and the SCAMMER.
This is a survivor's story - each is different and unique in some aspects but ALWAYS similar in overall scope and format. Relationship fraud is a CRIME against a victim/survivor and telling our stories, Standing Up & Speaking Up, is an important step in the recovery process.
Our special guest today became a hero/SHERO to the millions of survivors around the world who will probably never have the opportunity to tell their stories in a courtroom and who will never feel justice prevails. But we can live vicariously through this story and celebrate the outcome. One small step for victims in Texas will lead to one GIANT step against relationship fraud across the globe!
Important Take-aways: REPORT your scam immediately to www.anyscam.com and www.IC3.gov. REPORT your scam to the FTC, FBI, and local law enforcement and look at www.romancescamsnow.com for their guide to reporting, 3 Steps For New Victims. Check out shop.againstscams.org for help and support guides and join SCARS Facebook support groups. You are NOT alone.
