Fighting Back against a Romance Scam
How Mary took on Her Scammers with Hard Work and AI
Episode 16 — Romance scams are one of the fastest-growing forms of online fraud, costing victims billions each year. In this episode of Stolen, Erin West talks with Mary, a romance scam survivor who refused to be silenced. Instead of hiding in shame, Mary documented every message, tracked her scammers, and even used AI to fight back.
Mary shares her experience with a scam that took months to unravel. She discusses:
Psychological manipulation used by scammers
Her innovative use of AI to document and analyze communications
Challenges she faced in reporting the crime to law enforcement.
Through her journey, Mary emphasizes the importance of documentation, the need for a clear reporting path for those who have experienced it, and the empowerment that comes from taking action. She also addresses the stigma surrounding scam victims and advocates for a more supportive environment for those affected by such crimes.
Her unconventional approach shows just how far victims are forced to go when law enforcement tools and systems fall short. Together, Erin and Mary unpack the reality of romance fraud, pig butchering scams, psychological manipulation, and why we need urgent law enforcement solutions to stop transnational organized crime.
If you want to understand how romance scams work — and why survivors like Mary are stepping into the role of investigator — this episode will open your eyes to the global scamdemic we’re facing today.
“I understand that I may never get my money back. But what I’m about here is justice and healing.”
Episode Chapters
1:01 — From Victim to Investigator
4:09 — Documenting Fraud
10:33 — Mary’s Relentless Pursuit
19:45 — Empowering Victims
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