I'm trying to be very sensitive to this subject.  This is a HUGE sum of money to just give to someone...especially, someone you don't even know.  Unless you live under a rock, warnings to beware of 'phishers' are all over social media, news broadcasts & daytime television.  Yet, many continue to fall for these very obvious scams.

An anonymous woman from Ellsworth is the most recent victim.  According to WCSH6, the relationship, between the woman and a man who claimed to be from Miami, started in May 2014 through the online dating site, Plenty of Fish.  After forming a connection, the 'phisher' explained his employer was sending him to Africa.

After 2 months of conversation, 'Phisher' sent an email stating his bank account was frozen and asked her to send money.  He explained he would pay her back once he had access to his accounts.  The story states, she started sending him $2,000-$3,000 at a time through pre-paid credit cards and Moneygram.  Eventually, the total amount she sent was $100,000.   In October 2014, she received an email from a bank saying they could help get her money back.

An email she believed to be real, but was fake.  An additional $40,000 was sent over a period of time to this bank, probably a scam by the same 'phisher'.

You never want to be a victim to something like this.  You read stories where people sent $100 or $500, and that's ludicrous.  But, $140,000 is purely unimaginable.  Please, my goodness, be smart!   The warning signs are EVERYWHERE!  You don't know who you're sending money to.  You could be sending it to ISIS!

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