A Texas woman has been arrested for defrauding her online boyfriend of a substantial sum of $1.2 million to support her own lifestyle, as per law enforcement officials.
Lorraine Marie Rew, aged 46, successfully cultivated a relationship with a man from Indiana via social media. Over a period of 16 months, from October 2020 to February 2022, Rew persuaded the man to transfer funds to her under the false pretense of requiring financial assistance for her daughter’s medical procedures and her own cardiac medication.
Unbeknownst to the man, he fell victim to her deceit and sourced the funds by withdrawing from his personal IRA, a mutual fund, checking and savings accounts. He also resorted to cash advances and personal loans. However, it was later discovered that neither Rew nor her daughter had been hospitalized during that time; instead, the money had been squandered on gambling at various casinos in Oklahoma.
Investigators revealed that Rew visited one casino an astounding 157 times over a six-month period. To further obfuscate her actions, she created bogus email accounts, assuming the identities of her employer and falsely assuring the man that he would be reimbursed for his generosity.
In addressing the case, Prosecutor Eaton expressed remorse over the situation and recognized the victim’s genuine intentions, juxtaposed with the perpetrator’s exploitation of his benevolence.
Ultimately, Rew pleaded guilty to corrupt business influence and two counts of counterfeiting. She was sentenced to four years in prison last Thursday, although she received over a year’s worth of jail credit.
The case serves as a stark reminder to exercise prudence and vigilance, particularly when engaging in online interactions. It underscores the potential perils associated with virtual relationships and underscores the importance of circumspection and security in financial and trust-related matters.