How I Was Targeted by a Romance Scammer After Losing My Husband

After losing her husband, Kate Kleinert was targeted by a romance scammer posing as a doctor. What began with one Facebook friend request ended in emotional betrayal and the loss of her life savings. In this powerful Dating to Win interview, Kate explains—in her own words—how the scammer studied her life, gained her trust and made her believe they were building a future together. The man Kate knew as “Tony” claimed to be a doctor working overseas. He introduced her to two supposed children who began calling her “Mom.” After months of daily conversations, the requests for gift cards and money began. Kate believed Tony was finally coming to Philadelphia to meet her. She dressed for their first night together, prepared champagne and waited for the telephone call that never came. The man she believed she loved had never existed. But Kate’s story did not end with the romance scam. After losing her husband, her financial security and the relationship she believed was real, Kate experienced another unimaginable tragedy. A house fire destroyed her home and killed all six of the hospice dogs she lovingly cared for. Somehow, Kate found the courage to rebuild her life. Today, she is a nationally recognized romance-scam survivor advocate. She works to educate the public, has shared her experience with AARP and lawmakers, and inspired The Unbreaking Project—Kate’s Hug. Kate’s Hug provides compassionate support kits to romance-fraud survivors through participating law-enforcement agencies. The program reminds victims that they are not alone—and that the shame belongs to the criminal, not the victim. IN THIS INTERVIEW: • How Kate was targeted after losing her husband • The Facebook friend request that changed her life • The fake doctor and his supposed children • How emotional grooming creates trust • Why the children began calling Kate “Mom” • How small gift-card requests became a $39,000 loss • The night Kate waited for Tony to arrive • Grieving someone who never really existed • The devastating fire that destroyed Kate’s home • Losing all six of her hospice dogs • Kate’s work as a survivor advocate • The Unbreaking Project—Kate’s Hug • Romance-scam warning signs • How families should support suspected victims 00:00 How Kate Was Targeted by a Romance Scammer 02:20 Growing Up in Glenolden and Meeting Bernie 07:30 Life After Losing Her Husband 10:45 The Facebook Friend Request 14:25 The Fake Doctor Working Overseas 18:40 How the Romance Scammer Gained Her Trust 23:30 His Supposed Children Began Calling Her “Mom” 27:45 The First Gift Card Request 32:10 How the Money Requests Escalated 37:40 The Night Kate Waited for Him to Arrive 42:20 Realizing the Man She Loved Never Existed 46:25 The Emotional Aftermath and Victim Blaming 50:15 The House Fire and Her Six Hospice Dogs 54:00 Becoming an AARP Survivor Advocate 56:00 The Unbreaking Project—Kate’s Hug 61:15 Romance-Scam Warning Signs 65:20 How Families Should Help Scam Victims 68:10 Finding Purpose After Tragedy 70:25 Kate’s Final Message to Romance-Scam Victims 71:40 Closing Thoughts SUPPORT THE UNBREAKING PROJECT—KATE’S HUG: https://advocatingforu.com/unbreaking... WATCH POPULAR DATING TO WIN SCAM INTERVIEWS: The Romance Scam That Destroyed Her Life | Jennifer’s Story    • The Romance Scam That Destroyed Her Life |...   Romance Scam Victim Lost $1.6 Million in Crypto | Lang’s Interview    • Romance Scam Victim Lost $1.6 Million Doll...   I Lost Half a Million to Online Dating—Here’s How It Happened    • I Lost Half a Million to Online Dating. He...   Dating Scammers Exposed: The Victims They Target Most    • Dating Scammers Exposed: The Victims They ...   Romance Scammers and Billion-Dollar Criminal Networks | Erin West    • They Look Like Romance Scammers but Run Bi...   WATCH THE COMPLETE DATING TO WIN INTERVIEW PLAYLIST:    • Dating to Win Interviews   ROMANCE-SCAM HELP AND REPORTING: AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline 877-908-3360 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Eastern https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-frau... Report Internet Crime to the FBI: https://www.ic3.gov/ Report Fraud to the Federal Trade Commission: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ SUBSCRIBE TO DATING TO WIN:    / @datingtowin25   CONTACT MATT RUSSO: Podcast interviews, speaking engagements and dating coaching: [advicefordating00@gmail.com](mailto:advicefordating00@gmail.com) ABOUT DATING TO WIN: Dating to Win presents honest conversations about love, relationships, romance scams, recovery and rebuilding your life. Hosted and produced by Matt Russo. TOPICS COVERED: How I was targeted by a romance scammer, romance scam survivor story, widow targeted after losing her husband, fake doctor romance scam, Facebook friend request scam, Facebook romance scam, online dating scam, emotional grooming, gift card scam, elder fraud, romance fraud warning signs, Kate Kleinert interview, AARP Fraud Watch Network, Kate’s Hug, The Unbreaking Project and Dating to Win. #RomanceScam #OnlineDatingScam #ScamAwareness