The Framed Photo on His Dashboard: A Teacher's $14,000 Lie

Imagine falling in love with a man who writes about food like a poet, only to discover he doesn't exist. A birdwatcher's chance photo reveals a framed picture of a woman on a dashboard, seven miles from her home, unknowingly entangled in a calculated deception. How did a retired English teacher from Virginia lose $14,000 to a phantom lover?

In this episode, we uncover the intricate web of a romance scam that targeted Paula Fitzgerald, a deliberate and discerning English teacher. We explore how a dead man's words and a stolen face became the foundation of a sophisticated lie, and the unexpected way it all unraveled.

Person: Paula Fitzgerald
Age: 63
Location: Waynesboro, Virginia
Amount Lost: $14,000
Period of Deception: 10 months

- Paula Fitzgerald was a retired English teacher with 27 years of experience at Waynesboro High School.
- Her blog, The Deliberate Table, had 40,000 subscribers by 2021.
- Martin Sullivan first contacted Paula in October 2021 via her blog's contact form.
- Paula sent the first $800 through Western Union in March 2022.
- By July 2022, Paula had sent a total of $14,000 to the scammer.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The jacket on the bench: how a Coast Guard officer wasn't

The dry Coast Guard jacket found on a wet bench at Pelican Cove Marina, along with a solitaire ring, launched an eight-day mystery focused not on who left it, but why. This strange discovery, a potential romantic scam, set the stage for a meticulous woman to uncover a web of deception. What hidden truths did Karen Underwood, an insurance claims processor, unearth about the man she thought she knew?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery at Pelican Cove Marina and follow Karen Underwood's methodical journey to piece together the last five months of her life. From a seemingly innocent message about a pelican to a desperate plea for funds, the narrative explores how a carefully constructed persona can ensnare even the most discerning individuals.

Person: Marilyn Mills, Russell Zeller, Karen Underwood, Bethany Ogle, Patricia, Douglas Hunter, Callie, Sandra
Date: July 9th, February, March, April, early June
Location: Pelican Cove Marina, Braden Beach, Florida panhandle, Pensacola, Azores
Amount: $1,200
Object: Coast Guard dress uniform jacket, solitaire ring

- A fifteen-year-old girl, Marilyn Mills, found a dry Coast Guard jacket and a solitaire ring on a wet bench at slip fourteen of Pelican Cove Marina.
- Detective Russell Zeller stated the jacket was "placed," not dropped or forgotten, suggesting a staged disappearance.
- Karen Underwood, a 25-year-old insurance claims processor, began building a timeline of her last five months after the discovery.
- Douglas Hunter, claiming to be a Coast Guard officer, messaged Karen on a general social platform in late February, asking about a pelican photo.
- Karen wired Douglas $1,200 in early June to cover a gap in insurance for his daughter Callie's appendicitis.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Ditch Phone: $42,000, A Lie, And A Missing Man

Imagine finding a phone in a ditch with a notification for a $42,000 transfer and a message saying "I love you. Don't tell anyone yet." This discovery in Kessler, Indiana, by Melissa Clark, would unravel a romance scam that had been quietly operating for nearly two years. Who was behind this mysterious phone, and why was it discarded?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Michelle Barnes, a recently divorced woman in central Indiana who sought support in an online group, only to fall victim to a sophisticated deception. The narrative explores how a seemingly legitimate peer support group led her into a relationship with a man who was not who he claimed to be, culminating in a significant financial loss and a missing person.

Person: Melissa Clark
Location: County Road 7, Kessler, Indiana
Date: June 6, 2022
Amount: $42,000

- Melissa Clark found a phone in a drainage ditch on County Road 7 at 7:15 AM on a Monday.
- The phone's screen displayed a notification for a "$42,000" transfer and three messages.
- Michelle Barnes, 47, transferred $42,000 at 11:17 PM on June 5, 2022.
- The online support group Michelle joined was advertised by a flyer from "Robert Voss," who later denied sending it.
- The phone number linked to the messages was a VOIP line with a non-existent billing address in Nevada.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

He Said This To Me First: The Banker's Box Confession

Imagine finding a soaked banker's box filled with rubber-banded emails and a marked paperback, only to discover it holds the key to a devastating romance scam. What if the person you believed you were falling in love with never actually existed?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Cheryl Jones, a technical writer from Sutter Creek, California, who lost $9,400 and seven months of her life to a meticulously crafted deception. We explore how a single detail, planted months before the truth emerged, ultimately explained everything.

Person: Cheryl Jones
Age: 31
Location: Sutter Creek, California
Loss: $9,400
Duration of Deception: 7 months

- A utility lineman found a soaked banker's box containing stacks of printed emails and a worn paperback.
- The paperback had passages underlined and three words written in the margin: "he said this to me first."
- Cheryl Jones, a technical writer, lost $9,400 over seven months to a romance scam.
- The scammer used the stolen identity of Dennis Draper, a retired plumber from Akron, Ohio, and photographs of Robert Hines, a retired English professor.
- The deception began in late October through an antiquarian books forum, where Cheryl was contacted by an account calling itself Dennis Draper.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Man Who Built a Life From Stolen Good Intentions

Imagine receiving an email with a photo of children in an orphanage, only to discover the man who sent it, "Dean Hansen," was a complete fabrication. This romance scam, built on stolen good intentions, highlights how a seemingly genuine connection can mask a sophisticated fraud. How did a retired insurance supervisor, accustomed to assessing risk, fall victim to such an elaborate deception?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Earl Price, a man who, after retiring, sought purpose in humanitarian work and became an "ideal candidate" for a long-running scam. We explore the meticulous construction of a fake identity and the subtle manipulation that led to significant financial loss.

Person: Earl Price
Amount: $61,400
Transfers: 22
Period: 18 months
Location: Pinecroft Nature Preserve

- The scammer used a photograph of Robert Finch, a retired contractor, without his knowledge.
- The fraudulent profile claimed to be a logistics coordinator for a children's program in Central America.
- Earl Price sent $400 after "Dean Hansen" mentioned a customs fee for a supply shipment.
- The scammer used downloaded newsletters and photographs from the legitimate Highcroft Children's Foundation.
- The fraud involved 22 wire transfers over 18 months, totaling $61,400.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Rabbit, The Receipt, and The 43-Minute Window

Imagine finding a receipt in your backyard from a store you never visited, timestamped for a time you were home, yet it proves someone was there, feeding your pet. This seemingly innocuous detail was a calculated message, part of a sophisticated romantic scam that cost Gordon Reynolds $22,000. How did a meticulous structural drafter, who measured tolerances to fractions of an inch, fall for a structure built on borrowed identity?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Gordon Reynolds, a man whose stable life on Dellwood Circle was meticulously dismantled by a con artist. We explore how a carefully constructed persona, based on a real man named Gregory Sanders, was used to exploit Gordon's trust and extract significant sums of money.

Person: Gordon Reynolds
Date: March 7, 2019
Location: Dellwood Circle, Virginia
Amount Lost: $22,000
Con Artist's Real Name: Philip Corwin

- Gordon Reynolds discovered a receipt from an agricultural supply store in Garfield Township, timestamped 4:47 PM the day before.
- The receipt was found in his rabbit's hutch, indicating someone had fed his rabbit, Clover, during a 43-minute window when Gordon was away.
- The account name on the receipt was Gregory Sanders, a man living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, unaware his identity was being used.
- Gordon Reynolds, a structural drafter at Pallister and Howe, had lived in the same house for eleven years and was 45 years old.
- The first financial transfer of $4,000 occurred in January, followed by a second transfer of $6,000 in February for a supposed kidney biopsy.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

He Lived 30 Feet Away: The Opal Ring and the Stalker Next Door

Imagine receiving a photograph of a stranger's hand wearing your grandmother's stolen opal ring, forced past the knuckle. This chilling image, postmarked Charlotte, arrived at a sheriff's office with no explanation, hinting at a romantic scam that had been building for months. What dark secret did this single photograph conceal?

In this episode, we uncover the meticulously constructed deception that targeted Diane Draper, a woman known for her careful decisions and disciplined life. We explore how a wellness app, a stolen identity, and a man living just thirty feet away converged to create a terrifying reality.

Case: Diane Draper
Person: Duane Schmidt (alias Dennis Schaefer)
Location: Millhaven, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina
Object: Oval opal ring, quarter-carat
Platform: NutriPath

- A manila envelope containing a 4x6 inch photograph of a hand wearing an opal ring was delivered to the Harwick County Sheriff's office on February fourteenth.
- The ring, an oval opal of quarter-carat, was identified as belonging to a grandmother in Millhaven, Tennessee, and had been stolen.
- Duane Schmidt, using the alias Dennis Schaefer, signed a lease on a ground-floor unit in Diane Draper's building in July, six months before the photograph arrived.
- Schmidt used photographs scraped without authorization from a Brazilian fitness influencer with over 400,000 followers for his NutriPath profile.
- Diane Draper, 28, was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition at 23, which significantly impacted her daily life and led her to seek control over her health.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Card, The Photos, and The $106,000 Silence

Imagine finding a hidden package on a Wyoming trail: a handmade card and photos of a man in military uniform, left by someone who meant every word. This discovery would eventually unravel a romantic scam involving a 55-year-old rancher and a staggering $106,000. What secret did this mysterious package hold?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Amy Sawyer, a self-sufficient rancher who, after the death of her husband, found solace in an online grief support forum. This led her to a man named "Russell O'Brien," whose carefully constructed online persona and daily calls would draw her into a sophisticated fraud.

Person: Amy Sawyer
Location: Harmon County, Wyoming
Amount: $106,000
Year: 2017

- A rescue dog named Bruno discovered a sealed zip-lock bag containing a watercolor card and four photographs.
- Amy Sawyer, a 55-year-old rancher, owned land without a mortgage but carried equipment debt.
- Her husband, Dennis Sawyer, died at 58 from a cardiac event in 2016.
- Amy had five certificates of deposit at Harmon County Savings, ranging from $12,000 to $41,000.
- "Russell O'Brien" claimed to be a 58-year-old UN logistics contractor in Mali, attached to MINUSMA.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Chess Game That Stole Her Life Savings

A handwritten chess scoresheet, found in a creek, became the first clue in a missing person case that led investigators on a sixty-mile trail. How did a game that was never played on a board lead to a woman's disappearance and the theft of her life savings?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Heather Draper, a methodical librarian who fell victim to a sophisticated online romance scam. Discover how a seemingly innocent online chess game evolved into a meticulously planned deception that exploited her trust and routine.

Person: Heather Draper
Date: December 19, 2019
Location: Millhaven, Sycamore Terrace
Platform: CastleNet
Amount: Four thousand eight hundred dollars

- Heather Draper, a 22-year-old reference librarian, was reported missing for 41 hours.
- An envelope addressed to Heather was found in Pembrook Creek containing a 53-move chess scoresheet.
- A CastleNet account, "MarkGrandmaster," was created in May 2019, using stolen photos of Scott Neville.
- Heather transferred $1,800 and then $3,000 across two transactions in eight days.
- The scammer recorded Heather's personal details, including her Wednesday evening routine with her parents.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

He Watched Her House. He Stole Her Love

Imagine finding eleven bank transfer confirmations in your own mailbox, none of them yours, revealing a romance scam that siphoned over $94,000 from a cancer survivor. This meticulously engineered fraud, spanning nine months in Ohio, targeted a woman at her most vulnerable. How did a seemingly kind stranger become the architect of such a devastating betrayal?

In this episode, we uncover the intricate details of a romance scam that exploited a woman's trust and her battle with illness. We explore how a Facebook group for cancer survivors became a carefully constructed trap, leading to a profound emotional and financial loss.

Person: Amy Williams
Location: Harlow, Ohio
Amount Scammed: Over $94,000
Method: Romance scam via Facebook group

- The scammer, Kevin T. Marsh, used a cropped photo of Greg Fontaine, a retired physical therapist from Spokane, Washington.
- Amy Williams, a 38-year-old registered nurse, had been two years past her final round of chemotherapy when the fraud began.
- The first transfer of $4,500 to Accra, Ghana, was returned, a deliberate tactic to build trust before larger requests.
- Kevin T. Marsh had previously rented short-term furnished apartments in Harlow, Ohio, twice, running similar schemes.
- The scam involved eleven bank transfer confirmations found in Amy Williams' mailbox by a county surveyor.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].