Linda Bemis was using Facebook when she thought she had connected with a handsome military serviceman known as Mr. Bravo. Detectives said it was a scammer who would later manipulate her into handing over $60,000.
Bemis fell in love, so when Mr. Bravo was stuck in Afghanistan and he needed $50,000 to get his luggage through customs she sold a share of her home to raise the money. He needed help and she didn’t hesitate. She trusted him.
“When we were growing up we had pen pals and stuff like that everybody was always who they said they were,” Bemis said adding, “The guy had a really nice smile.”
Officers arrested Lisa Miller on Tuesday accusing her of swindling the 74-year-old victim, according to the arrest warrant. Miller denied the “crazy” accusations and said she was scammed.
“Be careful! You can become a victim. Before you know it, you can become a victim just like that in this case,” said Sgt. Brian Schnell, of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.
Investigators said bank records show Miller spent the cash in months. Officers arrested her on Tuesday. Investigators found the IP address for Mr. Bravo’s Facebook account was from Nigeria. Detectives believe there were others involved.
Miller is facing charges of theft from the elderly and organized fraud. Her bond was set at $100,000.
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Bemis fell in love, so when Mr. Bravo was stuck in Afghanistan and he needed $50,000 to get his luggage through customs she sold a share of her home to raise the money. He needed help and she didn’t hesitate. She trusted him.
“When we were growing up we had pen pals and stuff like that everybody was always who they said they were,” Bemis said adding, “The guy had a really nice smile.”
Officers arrested Lisa Miller on Tuesday accusing her of swindling the 74-year-old victim, according to the arrest warrant. Miller denied the “crazy” accusations and said she was scammed.
“Be careful! You can become a victim. Before you know it, you can become a victim just like that in this case,” said Sgt. Brian Schnell, of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.
Investigators said bank records show Miller spent the cash in months. Officers arrested her on Tuesday. Investigators found the IP address for Mr. Bravo’s Facebook account was from Nigeria. Detectives believe there were others involved.
Miller is facing charges of theft from the elderly and organized fraud. Her bond was set at $100,000.
Continue reading...