Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:01,962 --> 00:00:03,421
PRINCE: Love.
2
00:00:03,713 --> 00:00:07,342
♪ This heart has wings ♪♪
3
00:00:07,342 --> 00:00:09,761
DEBBIE: He was my
life outside of work.
4
00:00:09,761 --> 00:00:11,972
MARGARET: Everything he
said was just so sweet.
5
00:00:12,889 --> 00:00:15,892
DEBBIE: I just want to hug
him and have him hold me.
6
00:00:15,892 --> 00:00:18,770
Like, I just want
to hug him so bad.
7
00:00:18,770 --> 00:00:21,106
KIRIKU: Every single day,
he was saying something that
8
00:00:21,106 --> 00:00:22,941
would touch my heart.
9
00:00:24,276 --> 00:00:26,319
♪ This heart has wings ♪♪
10
00:00:29,572 --> 00:00:30,991
MS: I was like a fish.
11
00:00:30,991 --> 00:00:34,661
That hook was so
far down in my belly.
12
00:00:35,287 --> 00:00:36,705
MARGARET: He's
an evil bastard.
13
00:00:36,705 --> 00:00:39,207
He is such an evil bastard.
14
00:00:40,041 --> 00:00:42,210
DEBBIE: I sold jewelry.
I sold investments.
15
00:00:42,210 --> 00:00:44,713
MS: I gave him $2.8 million.
16
00:00:47,465 --> 00:00:49,259
MARIANA: Romance scamming,
17
00:00:49,259 --> 00:00:51,845
a global crime wave that
surged during our loneliest
18
00:00:51,845 --> 00:00:56,266
months of the pandemic, wiping
out more than $300 million
19
00:00:56,266 --> 00:00:59,102
from American bank
accounts in 2020.
20
00:00:59,519 --> 00:01:00,603
WOMAN: Hello...
21
00:01:01,438 --> 00:01:03,773
MARIANA: To find out
where some of that money went,
22
00:01:03,773 --> 00:01:06,401
we'll track down
these tenacious sweet talkers
23
00:01:06,401 --> 00:01:08,570
halfway around the globe.
24
00:01:09,279 --> 00:01:10,780
How much money has
Michael sent you so far?
25
00:01:10,780 --> 00:01:12,198
PUNISHER: More than 10K.
26
00:01:12,198 --> 00:01:14,200
MARIANA: More than $10,000?
27
00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,078
And learn how they've
perfected their insidious,
one‐two punch.
28
00:01:17,078 --> 00:01:18,997
Before taking your money...
29
00:01:18,997 --> 00:01:21,374
♪ Sweet words to you ♪♪
30
00:01:21,374 --> 00:01:23,043
MARIANA: They steal your heart.
31
00:01:37,223 --> 00:01:43,104
♪ ♪
32
00:01:45,273 --> 00:01:46,608
MARIANA: So, we're right?
33
00:01:46,608 --> 00:01:48,360
WOMAN: Yes.
MAN: Right right.
34
00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,279
MARIANA: Right right.
Yeah. Okay.
35
00:01:51,279 --> 00:01:53,114
Sun‐drenched Florida.
36
00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:55,367
♪ ♪
37
00:01:55,367 --> 00:01:57,577
MARIANA: With all its
wealth and retirees.
38
00:01:57,577 --> 00:02:00,121
It's what you might call a
"target rich" environment
39
00:02:00,121 --> 00:02:01,706
for romance scammers.
40
00:02:05,752 --> 00:02:06,878
SUSAN: Okay.
41
00:02:06,878 --> 00:02:08,797
MARIANA: Do you want
to put on your glasses,
42
00:02:08,797 --> 00:02:09,714
just in case?
43
00:02:09,714 --> 00:02:11,299
SUSAN: Oh, are we ready?
44
00:02:11,716 --> 00:02:14,803
MAN: Camera speeds.
Okay, we're rolling.
45
00:02:19,057 --> 00:02:20,684
SUSAN: I've
never been married,
46
00:02:20,684 --> 00:02:23,520
but I've dated and I just
kind of felt like I wanted to
47
00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,522
finally meet somebody.
48
00:02:26,106 --> 00:02:29,901
DEBBIE: After Lou died,
I, I couldn't sleep well.
49
00:02:30,652 --> 00:02:32,278
MARGARET: You know,
after a divorce,
50
00:02:32,278 --> 00:02:33,822
you're feeling very lonely.
51
00:02:33,822 --> 00:02:36,282
MS: I thought, "You know,
if I'm going to try marriage,
52
00:02:36,282 --> 00:02:39,452
I'd better get going
because I'm 68 years old."
53
00:02:39,452 --> 00:02:42,288
SUSAN: So, I signed
up on Facebook Dating,
54
00:02:42,288 --> 00:02:46,584
and a half hour
after I signed up,
55
00:02:47,127 --> 00:02:49,838
um, I met Damian.
56
00:02:50,672 --> 00:02:52,632
He says he lives
just the next city over,
57
00:02:52,632 --> 00:02:55,802
he's an orthopedic surgeon,
and we're the same age.
58
00:02:55,802 --> 00:02:57,053
And...
59
00:02:57,053 --> 00:02:58,847
MARIANA: He tells
Susan he's on a
60
00:02:58,847 --> 00:03:01,182
four‐month UN peace‐keeping
mission in Yemen.
61
00:03:01,182 --> 00:03:04,144
From his photos, he's
fit and slightly graying.
62
00:03:05,270 --> 00:03:07,856
SUSAN: He's very handsome.
He's very flirty.
63
00:03:07,856 --> 00:03:09,816
I thought,
"Okay, I can flirt,
64
00:03:09,816 --> 00:03:11,443
this is fun."
65
00:03:11,443 --> 00:03:14,529
He tells me, "I'm really
extremely grateful for having
66
00:03:14,529 --> 00:03:18,074
you in my life, spending time
with me drowns out all of the
67
00:03:18,074 --> 00:03:20,618
other concerns and
lights up my life."
68
00:03:21,119 --> 00:03:23,371
MARIANA: Oh, wow.
SUSAN: Let's see...
69
00:03:23,371 --> 00:03:24,789
MARIANA: Is this your
journal that you kept...
70
00:03:24,789 --> 00:03:26,082
SUSAN: Yes.
71
00:03:26,082 --> 00:03:27,250
MARIANA: All the
conversations you had?
72
00:03:27,250 --> 00:03:28,835
SUSAN: Yes.
I wrote everything down.
73
00:03:28,835 --> 00:03:30,753
MARIANA: So, you were keeping
a journal of what you thought
74
00:03:30,753 --> 00:03:32,630
was a possible relationship
that you were going to have
with this person?
75
00:03:32,630 --> 00:03:36,176
SUSAN: Right, my
heart really was
overtaking my brain...
76
00:03:36,176 --> 00:03:37,635
MARIANA: Wow.
77
00:03:37,635 --> 00:03:41,139
SUSAN: Completely. Um, I
thought about him constantly.
78
00:03:41,139 --> 00:03:43,391
Every time the little
"ding, ding" on Google Hangouts,
79
00:03:43,391 --> 00:03:45,477
I'd go grab my phone.
80
00:03:45,477 --> 00:03:47,937
(text alerts)
81
00:03:47,937 --> 00:03:49,856
DEBBIE: When Eric
and I started writing,
82
00:03:49,856 --> 00:03:51,816
it filled up that hole.
83
00:03:51,816 --> 00:03:53,318
He listened to me.
84
00:03:53,318 --> 00:03:55,445
It was a great
healing thing for me.
85
00:03:55,445 --> 00:04:00,158
MS: He was just so romantic.
He'd write me love poems.
86
00:04:00,825 --> 00:04:03,536
MARGARET: Every single day.
87
00:04:03,536 --> 00:04:08,666
He was filling that
void in my heart that was
88
00:04:08,666 --> 00:04:10,335
my broken heart.
89
00:04:10,793 --> 00:04:13,004
SUSAN: He is completely
and totally crazy about me
90
00:04:13,004 --> 00:04:16,090
and wants to be with
me every single day.
91
00:04:16,090 --> 00:04:18,718
It's like, who
doesn't want that?
92
00:04:19,719 --> 00:04:21,179
MARIANA: But
only two weeks later,
93
00:04:21,179 --> 00:04:22,639
she senses trouble.
94
00:04:22,639 --> 00:04:24,474
SUSAN: I wake up Monday
morning and there's no videos,
95
00:04:24,474 --> 00:04:26,226
no quotes, there's nothing.
96
00:04:26,226 --> 00:04:28,520
So, I sent him a message.
97
00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:30,313
"I don't know why I
haven't heard from you."
98
00:04:30,313 --> 00:04:31,314
MARIANA: Mmm‐hmm.
99
00:04:31,314 --> 00:04:32,649
SUSAN: "I hope you're okay."
100
00:04:32,649 --> 00:04:35,360
And I have been stressing now,
the entire day.
101
00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:39,197
Is he alive?
Is he dead?
I, I don't know.
102
00:04:39,197 --> 00:04:40,365
MARIANA: The following morning,
103
00:04:40,365 --> 00:04:42,617
Susan finally gets a
message that begins with
104
00:04:42,617 --> 00:04:44,661
six crying emojis.
105
00:04:45,537 --> 00:04:48,581
SUSAN: He said to me,
"We were under attack.
106
00:04:48,581 --> 00:04:51,334
There were guys that
came into the compound.
107
00:04:51,334 --> 00:04:54,295
Uh, one guy was shot.
108
00:04:54,295 --> 00:04:56,881
I really want to
get out of this place.
109
00:04:56,881 --> 00:04:58,591
I'm scared for my life."
110
00:04:59,509 --> 00:05:05,723
He then tells me
some of his colleagues
paid their contract off
111
00:05:05,723 --> 00:05:09,102
and he said, "I
can pay them $30,000."
112
00:05:09,853 --> 00:05:11,062
MARIANA: Wow.
113
00:05:11,062 --> 00:05:13,398
SUSAN:
"And I can then go home.
114
00:05:14,482 --> 00:05:16,651
You know, you
and I are a couple,
115
00:05:16,651 --> 00:05:19,070
we're in this together."
116
00:05:19,070 --> 00:05:22,073
He said, "I thought if
maybe you could pay half,"
117
00:05:22,073 --> 00:05:24,576
he goes, "that would be great."
118
00:05:27,495 --> 00:05:29,664
MARGARET: It's so
embarrassing that it was close
119
00:05:29,664 --> 00:05:31,374
to $300,000.
120
00:05:31,374 --> 00:05:36,129
DEBBIE: $1,080,762.
MS: $2.8 million.
121
00:05:36,671 --> 00:05:39,048
NORAH: More than
6,400 Americans say they were
122
00:05:39,048 --> 00:05:41,092
scammed after
visiting dating websites.
123
00:05:41,593 --> 00:05:43,595
MARIANA: The rise of
romance scams and our
124
00:05:43,595 --> 00:05:46,556
increasing ease with
online dating go hand‐in‐hand.
125
00:05:47,015 --> 00:05:49,934
More than 44 million
Americans went on dating sites
126
00:05:49,934 --> 00:05:53,021
last year, giving
scammers plenty to work with.
127
00:05:56,399 --> 00:05:59,110
But victims are also being
targeted on social media.
128
00:05:59,986 --> 00:06:02,530
REPORTER: A 69‐year‐old
Sarasota woman will soon lose
129
00:06:02,530 --> 00:06:05,783
her house after falling victim
to an online dating scam.
130
00:06:06,743 --> 00:06:08,494
MARIANA: The median
loss of a victim in
131
00:06:08,494 --> 00:06:11,122
2020 was $2,500.
132
00:06:11,915 --> 00:06:15,710
But for victims 70 and older,
it was nearly 10 grand.
133
00:06:19,756 --> 00:06:22,216
With arrests rare and
recovering money practically
134
00:06:22,216 --> 00:06:26,137
unheard of, romance scammers
operate with near impunity,
135
00:06:27,305 --> 00:06:30,475
but every so often,
there's a high profile bust that
136
00:06:30,475 --> 00:06:33,353
provides a window into
this murky underworld.
137
00:06:34,479 --> 00:06:37,398
Earlier this year, in a
case that's still pending,
138
00:06:37,815 --> 00:06:40,777
US Law Enforcement charged
six alleged ringleaders of a
139
00:06:40,777 --> 00:06:43,696
massive
cybercriminal enterprise,
140
00:06:43,696 --> 00:06:45,365
that included
romance scamming,
141
00:06:46,074 --> 00:06:49,994
based in a West
African country of Ghana.
142
00:06:55,500 --> 00:07:01,255
(overlapping chatter)
143
00:07:02,423 --> 00:07:04,509
Ghana is booming.
144
00:07:04,509 --> 00:07:07,303
Its economy is one of the
fastest growing in the world.
145
00:07:08,012 --> 00:07:10,973
Big‐name companies like
Google and Twitter are
146
00:07:10,973 --> 00:07:13,434
planting headquarters
here to take advantage of an
147
00:07:13,434 --> 00:07:16,521
English‐speaking
population that's young,
148
00:07:16,896 --> 00:07:18,773
tech savvy, and ambitious.
149
00:07:21,776 --> 00:07:25,113
But those same traits have
also made Ghana a hot bed for
150
00:07:25,113 --> 00:07:26,864
romance scammers.
151
00:07:28,241 --> 00:07:32,203
That's why I've come to track
them down and to understand
152
00:07:32,203 --> 00:07:35,373
how they've turned online
seduction into a thriving
153
00:07:35,373 --> 00:07:37,041
criminal industry.
154
00:07:37,417 --> 00:07:38,876
♪ She a Ghana scammer ♪
155
00:07:38,876 --> 00:07:41,295
(singing in native language)
156
00:07:41,295 --> 00:07:42,755
MARIANA: One that's
even made its way into
157
00:07:42,755 --> 00:07:44,549
the country's music scene.
158
00:07:45,466 --> 00:07:51,848
(singing in native language)
159
00:07:53,015 --> 00:07:54,976
DIRECTOR: Okay. Reset.
160
00:07:54,976 --> 00:07:56,519
MARIANA: What was the music
video you're shooting here,
what is it about?
161
00:08:06,279 --> 00:08:07,989
MARIANA: Meet Boss Bouncy,
162
00:08:07,989 --> 00:08:10,241
the man behind the
song "Ghana Scammer."
163
00:08:17,248 --> 00:08:18,666
MARIANA: So, she's
a gold digger...
164
00:08:18,666 --> 00:08:19,667
BOUNCY: Yeah.
MARIANA: And a scammer?
165
00:08:21,794 --> 00:08:23,337
MARIANA: Is
scamming big in Ghana?
166
00:08:29,969 --> 00:08:31,429
MARIANA: So,
would you be able to,
167
00:08:31,429 --> 00:08:32,764
you think, introduce us to
some people that you know or
168
00:08:32,764 --> 00:08:33,806
is that not something
you feel comfortable with?
169
00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:43,608
MARIANA: But before I leave,
170
00:08:43,608 --> 00:08:45,902
Boss Bouncy
offers a little tip.
171
00:08:45,902 --> 00:08:48,029
He tells me when
scammers get paid,
172
00:08:48,029 --> 00:08:50,782
they like to celebrate,
have a few drinks.
173
00:08:51,407 --> 00:08:53,910
♪ Hey, heyshe a Ghana scammer ♪♪
174
00:08:53,910 --> 00:08:57,789
(singing in native language)
175
00:08:58,664 --> 00:09:00,625
MARIANA: Hi, good evening.
MAN: Hi.
176
00:09:01,793 --> 00:09:04,420
MARIANA: Do you work here?
MAN: I work here, yeah.
177
00:09:04,420 --> 00:09:06,172
MARIANA: The clubs
and pool halls of Accra,
178
00:09:06,172 --> 00:09:07,507
Ghana's capital.
179
00:09:07,507 --> 00:09:08,966
Do you mind if I just
go up the stairs and see,
180
00:09:08,966 --> 00:09:10,259
and then, I'll
come right down?
181
00:09:10,259 --> 00:09:12,220
Could be the perfect
places to hear things that
182
00:09:12,220 --> 00:09:14,222
shouldn't be heard.
183
00:09:20,728 --> 00:09:23,356
MARIANA: Okay.
Here's our guy. Here's the guy.
184
00:09:23,356 --> 00:09:24,982
The guy that's going
to stop and tell me.
185
00:09:24,982 --> 00:09:26,734
Hi. Okay. So, you're
the man to know here?
186
00:09:29,695 --> 00:09:31,072
MARIANA: I know, and I
just practically stalked you.
187
00:09:31,405 --> 00:09:32,365
BEN: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
188
00:09:32,365 --> 00:09:33,574
MARIANA: After a bit of hustle,
189
00:09:33,574 --> 00:09:34,909
I finally meet a guy
who says he can help.
190
00:09:36,410 --> 00:09:37,411
MARIANA: Awesome.
191
00:09:39,247 --> 00:09:40,748
MARIANA: I'll text you.
BEN: Okay.
192
00:09:43,584 --> 00:09:45,086
MARIANA: Later in the night,
193
00:09:45,086 --> 00:09:47,964
I get a message telling me to
go to a certain address and
194
00:09:47,964 --> 00:09:50,508
talk to the man playing pool.
195
00:10:07,358 --> 00:10:08,985
Hi.
196
00:10:10,111 --> 00:10:12,071
ODO: Hi.
197
00:10:12,071 --> 00:10:14,031
MARIANA: So, I know you
don't want me to call you
198
00:10:14,031 --> 00:10:15,449
by your real name, so
what should we call you?
199
00:10:18,035 --> 00:10:19,412
MARIANA: Odo.
Okay, what does that mean?
200
00:10:21,789 --> 00:10:23,166
MARIANA: Love?
ODO: Yeah.
201
00:10:23,166 --> 00:10:25,585
MARIANA: So, um, you
know why we're here.
202
00:10:25,585 --> 00:10:26,919
ODO: Yeah, yeah.
203
00:10:26,919 --> 00:10:28,004
MARIANA: Can you tell me
a little bit what you do?
204
00:10:30,173 --> 00:10:31,924
MARIANA: So how many
women have you scammed?
205
00:10:45,104 --> 00:10:47,440
MARIANA:
Finally, I've found a scammer.
206
00:10:56,490 --> 00:10:58,659
MARIANA: What was
your first fake name?
207
00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:02,163
MARIANA: Morris Jackson?
208
00:11:08,836 --> 00:11:10,421
MARIANA: I'm in Accra, Ghana,
209
00:11:10,421 --> 00:11:12,673
one of the epicenters
of romance scamming.
210
00:11:13,132 --> 00:11:16,510
This man, Odo, tells me he was
introduced to scamming by a
211
00:11:16,510 --> 00:11:19,013
friend and instantly
saw success.
212
00:11:25,728 --> 00:11:26,771
MARIANA: Pretending it was you?
213
00:11:33,486 --> 00:11:34,987
MARIANA: The story
Odo faked is a favorite
214
00:11:34,987 --> 00:11:36,572
of romance scammers.
215
00:11:36,572 --> 00:11:40,326
Work sent him to Ghana,
but since no one took
216
00:11:40,326 --> 00:11:41,994
American Express here,
217
00:11:41,994 --> 00:11:43,746
he couldn't buy
anything and needed cash.
218
00:11:52,338 --> 00:11:54,423
MARIANA: Clients,
that's what they call victims.
219
00:11:54,423 --> 00:11:57,051
And so, the first time you
ever received money was $300.
220
00:11:58,636 --> 00:11:59,637
MARIANA: From that
Canadian woman?
221
00:12:00,429 --> 00:12:02,098
MARIANA: And how much money do
you think you've made from this?
222
00:12:05,393 --> 00:12:06,394
MARIANA: Wow.
223
00:12:13,651 --> 00:12:14,527
MARIANA: These
are scripts that...
224
00:12:16,028 --> 00:12:16,862
ODO: Yeah.
MARIANA: Buy, you buy them?
225
00:12:18,531 --> 00:12:20,032
MARIANA:
These scripts are almost like
226
00:12:20,032 --> 00:12:21,784
"choose your own
adventure" books.
227
00:12:21,784 --> 00:12:24,245
Except the scammer
chooses your adventure,
228
00:12:24,245 --> 00:12:27,665
the romantic plot you'll follow,
based on the answers you give
229
00:12:27,665 --> 00:12:29,750
and the type of person
he thinks you are.
230
00:12:30,543 --> 00:12:32,503
MS: I wanted a person
to travel with.
231
00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:35,798
He, he loved doing that.
He wanted to show me the world.
232
00:12:35,798 --> 00:12:37,758
DEBBIE: He was going to be
leaving for about a month to go
233
00:12:37,758 --> 00:12:40,428
to, to the Far East to
move hardwood trees from
234
00:12:40,428 --> 00:12:41,887
Malaysia to India.
235
00:12:53,316 --> 00:12:54,775
ODO: Um.
236
00:12:58,904 --> 00:13:00,323
MARIANA: Are you okay?
ODO: Yeah.
237
00:13:00,323 --> 00:13:01,407
MARIANA: Are you okay talking
with people coming in?
238
00:13:01,407 --> 00:13:02,658
ODO: Yeah.
239
00:13:02,658 --> 00:13:04,035
MARIANA: He's taking a
risk speaking with me.
240
00:13:04,035 --> 00:13:06,662
The wrong person listening
could mean trouble.
241
00:13:07,913 --> 00:13:08,956
Got a little nervous.
242
00:13:08,956 --> 00:13:10,166
ODO: Yeah. Yeah.
243
00:13:10,166 --> 00:13:11,125
MARIANA: Because there
are people looking,
244
00:13:11,125 --> 00:13:12,668
I could see your eyes.
245
00:13:12,668 --> 00:13:13,794
You were nervous
about who got in and
what they're listening.
246
00:13:28,893 --> 00:13:30,603
MARIANA: Really?
And what, do you pay him a
percentage of what you make?
247
00:13:39,820 --> 00:13:41,655
MARIANA: Wow.
This is news to me.
248
00:13:41,655 --> 00:13:44,784
I'd assume romance scammers
worked as lone wolves.
249
00:13:44,784 --> 00:13:47,369
But he tells me it's
more like a pack,
250
00:13:47,369 --> 00:13:50,039
with an experienced boss who
knows how to go in for the kill.
251
00:13:50,039 --> 00:13:51,665
He's like a finisher?
He's the person that finishes?
252
00:13:54,043 --> 00:13:55,586
MARIANA: It's the
finisher who often writes
253
00:13:55,586 --> 00:13:58,756
the scripts and takes over the
transaction once their victim is
254
00:13:58,756 --> 00:14:00,257
ready to pay.
255
00:14:00,257 --> 00:14:02,551
Only a small percentage goes to
frontline scammers like Odo.
256
00:14:02,551 --> 00:14:04,720
Do you think I could
meet a finisher?
257
00:14:06,388 --> 00:14:07,389
MARIANA: Why?
258
00:14:11,477 --> 00:14:13,395
MARIANA: So, you wouldn't be
able to talk to your boss,
259
00:14:13,395 --> 00:14:14,814
The Finisher, about me, right?
260
00:14:15,147 --> 00:14:16,398
Because that would
put you in danger?
261
00:14:31,205 --> 00:14:35,835
♪ ♪
262
00:14:35,835 --> 00:14:37,419
MARIANA: Okay, so this
person is still in the game?
263
00:14:37,419 --> 00:14:38,504
He's still scamming?
264
00:14:38,504 --> 00:14:40,339
GRACIE: Yes, he's
still in the game.
265
00:14:41,507 --> 00:14:43,300
MARIANA: I'm driving
with a local journalist
266
00:14:43,300 --> 00:14:45,594
who's been reporting on
these scams for years.
267
00:14:46,512 --> 00:14:49,431
He's putting me in touch with
a scammer he knows in Kumasi.
268
00:14:49,431 --> 00:14:51,725
About 150 miles from Accra.
269
00:14:52,935 --> 00:14:55,646
He says the dangers Odo
mentioned are real.
270
00:14:55,646 --> 00:14:58,399
That's why he doesn't want
his identity revealed.
271
00:14:58,816 --> 00:15:00,651
GRACIE: If you talk
about scamming in Ghana,
272
00:15:00,651 --> 00:15:02,945
it's, it's huge.
273
00:15:03,237 --> 00:15:05,114
So, any attempt by anyone to,
274
00:15:05,114 --> 00:15:07,867
to want to, you know,
unravel anything,
275
00:15:08,117 --> 00:15:10,619
get insight, you could be
putting your life at risk.
276
00:15:14,915 --> 00:15:16,709
MARIANA: Tell me more about
the person we're meeting.
277
00:15:16,709 --> 00:15:18,085
GRACIE: Right.
278
00:15:18,085 --> 00:15:21,380
So, um, he goes by the
name, uh, The Punisher, and.
279
00:15:21,380 --> 00:15:22,423
MARIANA: The Punisher?
280
00:15:22,423 --> 00:15:23,841
GRACIE: The Punisher.
281
00:15:23,841 --> 00:15:26,260
And he has this one other
person that he works with.
282
00:16:03,005 --> 00:16:05,841
MARIANA: I have no
idea what to expect as I walk up
283
00:16:05,841 --> 00:16:08,469
the stairs of this upscale
apartment building.
284
00:16:18,103 --> 00:16:21,357
But instead of the armed men
and pat down that I'm used to,
285
00:16:21,357 --> 00:16:23,400
I'm invited into a living room.
286
00:16:24,068 --> 00:16:26,320
MIAMI QUEEN: Sweetheart,
I can't see you.
287
00:16:26,654 --> 00:16:28,030
Oh, there you are.
288
00:16:28,030 --> 00:16:29,657
RON (over phone): Oh, hi.
289
00:16:30,074 --> 00:16:32,868
MARIANA:
Where it looks like a
romance scam is in full swing.
290
00:16:32,868 --> 00:16:34,745
MIAMI QUEEN:
So beautiful, thank you.
291
00:16:34,745 --> 00:16:35,871
(smooches)
292
00:16:44,546 --> 00:16:46,382
(singing in native language).
293
00:16:46,382 --> 00:16:47,675
MARIANA: He's going to fix it.
294
00:16:52,596 --> 00:16:53,764
MARIANA: Are you
calling somebody?
295
00:16:53,764 --> 00:16:57,184
What if they answer?
296
00:17:04,608 --> 00:17:06,193
MIAMI QUEEN: Hey, sweetheart.
297
00:17:07,194 --> 00:17:08,487
MARIANA: I'm in Ghana,
298
00:17:08,487 --> 00:17:11,615
watching two romance
scammers at work.
299
00:17:11,615 --> 00:17:15,286
He calls himself The Punisher
and she is Miami Queen.
300
00:17:15,828 --> 00:17:17,371
(smooches)
301
00:17:17,371 --> 00:17:19,707
MIAMI QUEEN: I missed you.
302
00:17:19,707 --> 00:17:21,125
MARIANA: And to my surprise,
303
00:17:21,125 --> 00:17:23,419
they're scamming men, not women.
304
00:17:28,674 --> 00:17:32,469
MIAMI QUEEN: Yeah,
I know, but I told you I had
problems with my phone, so.
305
00:17:32,469 --> 00:17:33,470
THE PUNISHER: Okay.
306
00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,351
MIAMI QUEEN: Sweetheart, let
me go and take a shower, okay?
307
00:17:39,351 --> 00:17:41,478
I'll call you right
when I'm done, yeah?
308
00:17:41,478 --> 00:17:43,439
Don't go anywhere,
just wait for me.
309
00:17:45,649 --> 00:17:47,151
And we're done.
310
00:17:47,776 --> 00:17:48,944
MARIANA: So, what
just happened here?
311
00:17:48,944 --> 00:17:51,196
You started to call
somebody, right?
312
00:17:51,196 --> 00:17:52,615
THE PUNISHER: Mmm‐hmm.
313
00:17:52,615 --> 00:17:54,491
MARIANA: And then when he
accepts, if it's a video,
314
00:17:54,491 --> 00:17:55,534
you pass it on to her?
315
00:17:55,534 --> 00:17:56,619
MIAMI QUEEN: Yeah.
316
00:17:56,619 --> 00:17:58,037
MARIANA: When you're
communicating,
317
00:17:58,037 --> 00:17:59,538
he thinks he's communicating
the whole time with her.
318
00:17:59,538 --> 00:18:00,748
THE PUNISHER: Yeah.
MIAMI QUEEN: Yeah.
319
00:18:00,748 --> 00:18:01,957
MARIANA: But he's
communicating with you?
320
00:18:01,957 --> 00:18:02,958
MIAMI QUEEN: Mmm‐hmm.
321
00:18:02,958 --> 00:18:04,793
MARIANA: And then you're just.
322
00:18:04,793 --> 00:18:07,171
MIAMI QUEEN:
Mine is just to look beautiful
and make him feel sweets.
323
00:18:07,171 --> 00:18:09,381
How much I love him.
324
00:18:10,090 --> 00:18:11,717
MARIANA: Most of
romance scamming is
325
00:18:11,717 --> 00:18:14,136
messaging, just typing.
326
00:18:14,136 --> 00:18:16,597
But they've rented a space
tonight for these occasional
327
00:18:16,597 --> 00:18:19,600
video calls, hoping to
satisfy their clients.
328
00:18:20,809 --> 00:18:23,228
How many people do you guys
know that are scammers?
329
00:18:23,228 --> 00:18:24,647
THE PUNISHER:
A whole lot of people.
330
00:18:24,647 --> 00:18:26,273
MIAMI QUEEN: Oh, my God,
you can't count them.
331
00:18:26,273 --> 00:18:27,900
THE PUNISHER: We have, we
have, we have friend scammers.
332
00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:28,984
MARIANA: Like dozens?
Hundreds?
333
00:18:28,984 --> 00:18:30,152
MIAMI QUEEN: Dozens.
334
00:18:30,152 --> 00:18:31,070
MARIANA: All your
friends are doing it?
335
00:18:31,070 --> 00:18:32,488
MIAMI QUEEN: Yeah.
336
00:18:32,488 --> 00:18:34,406
THE PUNISHER: I have friends
who are rich, very rich.
337
00:18:34,406 --> 00:18:35,783
MIAMI QUEEN:
They've built houses.
338
00:18:35,783 --> 00:18:37,076
Big, big cars.
339
00:18:37,076 --> 00:18:39,703
THE PUNISHER:
Everybody's making money.
340
00:18:39,995 --> 00:18:41,705
MARIANA: Wiring money,
gift cards,
341
00:18:41,705 --> 00:18:43,832
or straight up
cash are preferred.
342
00:18:45,376 --> 00:18:48,462
But payment in Bitcoin
is also becoming popular.
343
00:18:52,508 --> 00:18:53,634
MARIANA: So, you're pretending
to be a woman and scamming men?
344
00:18:57,012 --> 00:18:59,139
MARIANA: It's easier
to get money from men,
345
00:18:59,139 --> 00:19:03,018
he says, and there's simply more
men using online dating sites.
346
00:19:06,105 --> 00:19:08,148
And yet, back in the States,
347
00:19:08,148 --> 00:19:12,069
far fewer men than
women report being victims.
348
00:19:13,362 --> 00:19:15,656
And this person you're
talking to, Michael,
349
00:19:15,656 --> 00:19:18,951
has no idea that you're
actually a man in Ghana?
350
00:19:30,212 --> 00:19:31,171
MARIANA: Right.
351
00:19:33,424 --> 00:19:36,176
THE PUNISHER: I think Michael
has been too good to me.
352
00:19:36,176 --> 00:19:38,679
MARIANA: How much money has
Michael sent you so far?
353
00:19:38,679 --> 00:19:40,139
THE PUNISHER: More than 10‐K.
354
00:19:40,139 --> 00:19:42,516
MARIANA: More than $10,000?
For what? What do you say?
355
00:19:48,856 --> 00:19:49,940
MARIANA: Wow.
356
00:19:49,940 --> 00:19:52,276
THE PUNISHER: Okay.
So, I do this.
357
00:19:52,276 --> 00:19:54,278
MARIANA: Are you
actually calling him?
358
00:19:54,653 --> 00:19:55,904
THE PUNISHER: Yes.
359
00:19:56,864 --> 00:19:57,781
MARIANA: Where is he?
360
00:19:57,781 --> 00:19:59,533
THE PUNISHER: Virginia.
361
00:19:59,533 --> 00:20:00,701
MARIANA: Oh.
362
00:20:00,701 --> 00:20:02,161
THE PUNISHER: So,
Michael is not online.
363
00:20:02,161 --> 00:20:03,495
MARIANA: Oh, okay.
364
00:20:03,495 --> 00:20:05,664
No dice, but had
Michael picked up,
365
00:20:05,664 --> 00:20:08,125
he would have seen this video
recording of a young woman.
366
00:20:12,171 --> 00:20:13,672
MARIANA: But if you talk,
it doesn't match.
367
00:20:17,384 --> 00:20:20,179
MARIANA: Oh, my God. Wow.
So, you have the video
and then you're just typing?
368
00:20:21,889 --> 00:20:22,931
MARIANA: Where did
you get this video?
369
00:20:24,057 --> 00:20:25,100
MARIANA: Oh, you buy it?
370
00:20:26,351 --> 00:20:27,811
MARIANA: Like scripts,
371
00:20:27,811 --> 00:20:30,898
these videos are part of a
scammer's professional tool kit.
372
00:20:30,898 --> 00:20:33,358
An underground
industry unto itself.
373
00:20:34,109 --> 00:20:36,653
(phone ringing)
374
00:20:37,738 --> 00:20:39,490
MIAMI QUEEN: Hey, baby.
375
00:20:39,490 --> 00:20:40,699
Hey, honey.
376
00:20:40,699 --> 00:20:41,825
Hey, sweetheart.
377
00:20:41,825 --> 00:20:44,703
I love you.
378
00:20:47,039 --> 00:20:48,874
Hi. I missed you.
379
00:20:52,961 --> 00:20:55,047
MARIANA: I keep
watching them through the night,
380
00:20:55,047 --> 00:20:56,548
but no money has come in.
381
00:20:56,548 --> 00:20:59,092
Not even from Michael.
382
00:20:59,510 --> 00:21:01,970
So, they say it's time to
take it to the next level.
383
00:21:01,970 --> 00:21:04,264
♪ Going all night'cause I ain't no slouch ♪♪
384
00:21:26,787 --> 00:21:28,747
MARIANA: Black magic,
385
00:21:28,747 --> 00:21:32,876
The Punisher will take
us to the woman who will
put a love spell on Michael,
386
00:21:32,876 --> 00:21:37,214
one that will fill his
heart and empty his wallet.
387
00:21:43,846 --> 00:21:45,973
♪ ♪
388
00:22:01,864 --> 00:22:03,407
MARIANA: They call her "Nana,"
389
00:22:03,407 --> 00:22:06,118
a title of high respect
in the local language.
390
00:22:08,912 --> 00:22:11,123
(speaking in native language).
391
00:22:11,123 --> 00:22:13,375
MARIANA: She plays
a vital role in a home‐grown
392
00:22:13,375 --> 00:22:17,838
black magic‐infused scamming
culture called "Sakawa."
393
00:22:18,380 --> 00:22:21,800
It links traditional West
African rituals and blessings to
394
00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,261
the God‐given fortunes
of cyber fraud,
395
00:22:24,928 --> 00:22:27,639
the kind aimed at
foreigners in far‐off lands.
396
00:22:39,318 --> 00:22:41,069
MARIANA: Scammers
like The Punisher are often
397
00:22:41,069 --> 00:22:42,362
called Sakawa boys.
398
00:22:42,362 --> 00:22:45,490
And today, he really
needs her powers to work.
399
00:23:21,693 --> 00:23:23,195
MARIANA: So, you think that now
that you've met with the priest,
400
00:23:23,195 --> 00:23:24,446
you're going to
receive the money.
401
00:23:30,327 --> 00:23:32,329
MARIANA: How much money
have you made, do you think,
from scamming?
402
00:23:48,053 --> 00:23:49,888
MARIANA: 20 grand
is a lot of money,
403
00:23:49,888 --> 00:23:52,766
especially in Ghana.
404
00:23:53,016 --> 00:23:55,769
But it's pocket change compared
to what some of the bigger
405
00:23:55,769 --> 00:23:58,105
operators are raking in.
406
00:23:58,689 --> 00:24:01,858
That's who I'm still
trying to find,
407
00:24:01,858 --> 00:24:04,569
one of the alpha ones
of the scamming world.
408
00:24:04,569 --> 00:24:07,447
A figure known as The Finisher.
409
00:24:14,246 --> 00:24:16,999
So, I think this is it.
410
00:24:17,958 --> 00:24:19,501
Yeah.
411
00:24:19,501 --> 00:24:21,795
So, a lot of these romance
scams are now being done by
412
00:24:21,795 --> 00:24:24,214
sort of larger
criminal networks.
413
00:24:24,214 --> 00:24:27,968
And one of the leaders
of one of these groups
has agreed to meet us.
414
00:24:34,099 --> 00:24:37,811
The groundwork for this meeting
started back a week ago.
415
00:24:38,061 --> 00:24:41,064
My local producer had been
digging and connected with a man
416
00:24:41,064 --> 00:24:43,900
named Pussycat, who
claimed to be a finisher.
417
00:24:51,658 --> 00:24:55,579
We first met him without
cameras on a rooftop in Accra.
418
00:24:55,579 --> 00:24:56,955
He said little.
419
00:24:56,955 --> 00:24:59,249
I could tell he was skittish.
420
00:25:02,335 --> 00:25:05,547
I left dubious that we
would hear from him again.
421
00:25:05,964 --> 00:25:09,176
But to my surprise, yesterday,
he called and gave us this
422
00:25:09,176 --> 00:25:11,261
address off the coast.
423
00:25:13,847 --> 00:25:16,600
Hi. I'm the journalist.
424
00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:18,602
You said I could come and
meet you with your crew.
425
00:25:31,698 --> 00:25:32,741
MARIANA: Okay.
426
00:25:42,918 --> 00:25:44,669
MARIANA: Oh, wow.
427
00:25:44,669 --> 00:25:46,379
Does she actually exist?
Is this a real person?
428
00:25:49,508 --> 00:25:51,301
MARIANA: To my right is Kiriku,
429
00:25:51,301 --> 00:25:53,470
the master of forged documents.
430
00:25:54,721 --> 00:25:57,557
If a client wants proof of
anything, he's the man to go to.
431
00:26:02,896 --> 00:26:04,439
MARIANA: To his right is Prince.
432
00:26:04,439 --> 00:26:05,982
He's the hunter.
433
00:26:05,982 --> 00:26:07,400
So, you're the first
person in this,
434
00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,319
you start looking on
different dating sites.
435
00:26:10,904 --> 00:26:15,534
MARIANA: His talent?
Choosing the right bait, while
casting the widest net 'cause
436
00:26:15,534 --> 00:26:17,619
there's a lot of
different fish in the sea.
437
00:26:26,962 --> 00:26:28,130
MARIANA: Then comes
the impersonator,
438
00:26:28,130 --> 00:26:29,631
he goes by the name Shadow.
439
00:26:31,675 --> 00:26:32,717
MARIANA: Sort of like
the actor, I guess?
440
00:26:34,219 --> 00:26:36,513
SHADOW (female voice):
Hey, hi James. How are you?
441
00:26:36,513 --> 00:26:38,932
MARIANA: That's his
voice when he scams men.
442
00:26:38,932 --> 00:26:41,101
SHADOW (female voice):
All right, honey. Bye.
443
00:26:42,269 --> 00:26:43,436
MARIANA: And finally,
444
00:26:43,436 --> 00:26:45,647
the guy who brought
me here, Pussycat.
445
00:26:46,565 --> 00:26:47,899
And what is yours then?
446
00:26:50,235 --> 00:26:51,194
MARIANA: So, it's
like The Finisher?
447
00:26:51,194 --> 00:26:52,320
PUSSYCAT: The Finisher.
448
00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:54,072
MARIANA: At last, The Finisher.
449
00:26:54,072 --> 00:26:56,241
You start the goal of it all,
which is getting the money?
450
00:26:56,241 --> 00:26:57,325
PUSSYCAT: Yes. Yes.
451
00:27:01,997 --> 00:27:04,541
MARIANA:
"Format" he says,
it's another word for "script."
452
00:27:06,877 --> 00:27:07,836
MARIANA: Right.
453
00:27:11,381 --> 00:27:12,382
MARIANA: Right.
454
00:27:15,177 --> 00:27:16,469
MARIANA: So, you don't need
something to copy and paste.
455
00:27:16,469 --> 00:27:17,387
You have it all in your head.
456
00:27:17,387 --> 00:27:18,680
PUSSYCAT: No, I have them here.
457
00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:20,307
MARIANA: It's his
long experience mining the
458
00:27:20,307 --> 00:27:23,101
psyche of clients that gives
The Finisher the insights to
459
00:27:23,101 --> 00:27:24,519
write these fake scenarios.
460
00:27:32,360 --> 00:27:33,570
MARIANA: Uh‐hmm.
461
00:27:33,570 --> 00:27:35,447
Whether you call them
scripts or formats,
462
00:27:35,447 --> 00:27:38,825
they are the
beating heart of this scam's
multi‐million‐dollar industry.
463
00:27:44,664 --> 00:27:45,832
MARIANA: You're that convincing?
PUSSYCAT: Sure.
464
00:27:50,253 --> 00:27:51,504
MARIANA: You think so?
PUSSYCAT: Yeah.
465
00:28:04,309 --> 00:28:06,478
PUSSYCAT: That's okay.
MARIANA: That's okay.
466
00:28:06,853 --> 00:28:08,146
What do you mean?
You don't want him to say more?
467
00:28:08,146 --> 00:28:09,940
PUSSYCAT: Yes. Yeah.
468
00:28:11,691 --> 00:28:13,985
MARIANA: Pussycat
immediately cuts things off,
469
00:28:13,985 --> 00:28:17,822
but I get it, small gifts might
lure me to reciprocate with
470
00:28:17,822 --> 00:28:21,743
bigger gifts and someday,
maybe a cash loan.
471
00:28:22,202 --> 00:28:23,870
PUSSYCAT: This is how we do it.
472
00:28:24,204 --> 00:28:25,789
MARIANA: Though
they aren't willing to give out
473
00:28:25,789 --> 00:28:28,166
their formats, they let
me listen in on a call.
474
00:28:28,166 --> 00:28:29,334
In Texas?
475
00:28:29,751 --> 00:28:31,586
KIRIKU: Yeah.
MARIANA: And it's a man as well?
KIRIKU: Yeah.
476
00:28:31,586 --> 00:28:34,422
MARIANA: Yes.
It's another male victim.
477
00:28:34,422 --> 00:28:35,465
How old?
478
00:28:35,465 --> 00:28:36,841
PRINCE: 53.
479
00:28:36,841 --> 00:28:38,677
MARIANA: I'm
quickly realizing that targeting
480
00:28:38,677 --> 00:28:41,721
men is actually
quite common here.
481
00:28:41,721 --> 00:28:45,266
Even though we
hear almost exclusively
about female victims.
482
00:28:50,772 --> 00:28:52,983
MARIANA: They're
all telling me the same thing,
483
00:28:52,983 --> 00:28:55,443
not only do men have more money,
484
00:28:55,443 --> 00:28:58,029
they're much easier to fool.
485
00:28:58,863 --> 00:29:03,368
PRINCE (female voice) :
Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?
486
00:29:07,956 --> 00:29:10,875
SHADOW (female voice): Hey.
Hi, darling. How are you?
487
00:29:11,626 --> 00:29:12,961
How are you doing?
488
00:29:12,961 --> 00:29:14,629
JAMES (over phone):Why can't I see you?
489
00:29:14,629 --> 00:29:16,131
SHADOW (female voice):
Oh, I have a little
problem with my camera.
490
00:29:16,131 --> 00:29:18,133
JAMES (over phone): That sucks.
491
00:29:18,133 --> 00:29:20,301
SHADOW (female voice)
Yes. Sorry, okay?
492
00:29:20,301 --> 00:29:22,137
Hey, what's up?
493
00:29:22,137 --> 00:29:23,847
I miss you.
494
00:29:23,847 --> 00:29:25,140
JAMES (over phone):But when are you coming up?
495
00:29:25,140 --> 00:29:26,307
SHADOW (female voice): Okay.
496
00:29:26,307 --> 00:29:30,645
I'm going to be up
in like half an hour.
497
00:29:30,645 --> 00:29:33,064
JAMES (over phone): In a halfan hour, you are coming up?
498
00:29:33,064 --> 00:29:37,110
Will it take you an hourand a half to get here?
499
00:29:37,110 --> 00:29:39,946
PRINCE: He's asking you
when are you coming up.
500
00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:46,661
JAMES (over phone): A month ago
501
00:29:46,995 --> 00:29:48,288
SHADOW (female voice):
Ah, okay. I know.
502
00:29:48,288 --> 00:29:50,165
But, you know, because
of the coronavirus.
503
00:29:50,165 --> 00:29:52,292
JAMES (over phone): Oh,you have the virus now?
504
00:29:52,292 --> 00:29:53,793
SHADOW (female voice):
Oh. No, no, no, no, no.
505
00:29:53,793 --> 00:29:55,712
I don't have the
virus personally,
506
00:29:55,712 --> 00:29:57,964
but it's in here in Africa.
507
00:30:03,928 --> 00:30:06,473
MARIANA: Looks like
someone has gone off script.
508
00:30:06,765 --> 00:30:08,266
PRINCE (female voice): Hello?
509
00:30:14,022 --> 00:30:17,067
♪ ♪
510
00:30:21,905 --> 00:30:23,948
JAMES (over phone): A month ago
511
00:30:23,948 --> 00:30:25,158
SHADOW (female voice):
Ah, okay. I know.
512
00:30:25,158 --> 00:30:26,618
But, you know, because
of the coronavirus,
513
00:30:26,618 --> 00:30:28,286
it's in here in Africa.
514
00:30:36,669 --> 00:30:39,214
MARIANA:
I'm with a den of
romance scammers in Ghana.
515
00:30:39,214 --> 00:30:42,383
They're working together
to scam a man in Texas.
516
00:30:43,093 --> 00:30:44,803
PRINCE (female voice): Hello?
517
00:30:44,803 --> 00:30:46,888
MARIANA: But because they're
juggling dozens of active
clients,
518
00:30:46,888 --> 00:30:48,890
they briefly lose
lose track of the script.
519
00:30:49,516 --> 00:30:53,269
PRINCE (female voice):
Hello? Can you hear me?
520
00:30:55,855 --> 00:30:57,524
Hello?
521
00:31:02,529 --> 00:31:06,157
PRINCE (female voice):
I would like to come over,
like, this weekend.
522
00:31:06,157 --> 00:31:10,161
But I don't have
enough gas in my car.
523
00:31:10,537 --> 00:31:14,582
And I had to use that
little box you sent me to
get some little medications.
524
00:31:17,585 --> 00:31:19,420
JAMES (over phone): All right.
525
00:31:19,420 --> 00:31:21,756
PRINCE (female voice):
Okay. Bye for now.
526
00:31:21,756 --> 00:31:23,091
JAMES (over phone): Bye.
527
00:31:23,091 --> 00:31:25,093
PRINCE (female voice): Love you.
528
00:31:28,555 --> 00:31:29,931
MARIANA: I still
don't understand how they
529
00:31:29,931 --> 00:31:32,016
explain their strange accents.
530
00:31:32,016 --> 00:31:35,520
But maybe they're right,
men looking for love are
531
00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:37,939
just easier to fool.
532
00:31:38,523 --> 00:31:39,941
So, in this format,
533
00:31:39,941 --> 00:31:42,235
it's an American girl willing
to go see this person.
534
00:31:42,235 --> 00:31:43,736
ALL: Yes.
535
00:31:43,736 --> 00:31:44,821
MARIANA: And is waiting for
you and is sending you money
536
00:31:44,821 --> 00:31:45,864
to go and see him.
537
00:31:45,864 --> 00:31:47,198
PRINCE: Yes.
538
00:31:47,198 --> 00:31:48,158
MARIANA: And what's his name?
539
00:31:48,158 --> 00:31:49,784
PRINCE: His first name is James.
540
00:31:49,784 --> 00:31:51,119
MARIANA: How much
money has James sent?
541
00:31:51,119 --> 00:31:52,704
PRINCE: 100 bucks.
MARIANA: $100, $100?
542
00:31:56,499 --> 00:31:57,834
MARIANA: And what does
James think you look like?
543
00:31:57,834 --> 00:31:59,627
PRINCE: Beautiful woman.
544
00:32:00,461 --> 00:32:02,755
I've been sending
him videos, too.
545
00:32:02,755 --> 00:32:04,674
MARIANA: So, it's not difficult
to find photos and videos of.
546
00:32:12,015 --> 00:32:13,391
MARIANA: Because that
would ruin your business.
547
00:32:13,391 --> 00:32:14,642
PUSSYCAT: That is my strength.
548
00:32:20,106 --> 00:32:22,066
MARIANA: If you could have a job
as an actual graphic designer,
549
00:32:22,066 --> 00:32:24,861
a professional graphic designer,
would you rather do that?
550
00:32:25,195 --> 00:32:26,696
KIRIKU: Yeah, that's
what I wanted to do.
551
00:32:38,291 --> 00:32:41,377
MARIANA:
Volume, expertise, efficiency.
552
00:32:42,003 --> 00:32:43,838
Sure, they make mistakes.
553
00:32:43,838 --> 00:32:45,590
SHADOW (female voice):
Hello baby, can you hear me?
554
00:32:45,590 --> 00:32:47,383
MARIANA: But with
their strength in numbers,
555
00:32:47,383 --> 00:32:51,221
they can regroup, readjust, and
scale up their romantic pursuits
556
00:32:51,221 --> 00:32:54,557
over and over and over again.
557
00:32:56,392 --> 00:32:59,437
DEBBIE: After he confessed,
I felt so stupid.
558
00:33:00,104 --> 00:33:02,607
I had been a former Air
Force Intelligence Officer.
559
00:33:02,607 --> 00:33:04,234
I had been a senior
bank manager.
560
00:33:04,234 --> 00:33:05,777
I'd had legal training.
561
00:33:05,777 --> 00:33:08,321
I was running a company.
562
00:33:08,738 --> 00:33:12,242
MS: People say, "Don't send
money to a stranger."
563
00:33:12,242 --> 00:33:14,953
Well, he wasn't a
stranger by that point.
564
00:33:14,953 --> 00:33:19,916
This guy knew more about me than
probably any man had ever known.
565
00:33:20,708 --> 00:33:23,253
MARGARET: He texted
me back one day and said,
566
00:33:23,253 --> 00:33:25,713
"I'm a poor Black man
from Africa."
567
00:33:27,048 --> 00:33:33,429
My whole world just fell apart,
completely shattered.
568
00:33:37,850 --> 00:33:39,060
MARIANA: Hi, Ben.
SUSAN: Hi, Ben.
569
00:33:39,060 --> 00:33:40,436
BEN (over phone):Hi. How's it going?
570
00:33:40,436 --> 00:33:41,646
SUSAN: It's great, how are you?
571
00:33:41,646 --> 00:33:43,273
BEN (over phone):I'm doing well.
572
00:33:43,523 --> 00:33:44,774
MARIANA: Back in the States,
573
00:33:44,774 --> 00:33:46,359
I again meet up with Susan.
574
00:33:46,359 --> 00:33:49,070
She wants me to witness
something she's been eager to do
575
00:33:49,070 --> 00:33:50,280
for quite some time.
576
00:33:50,738 --> 00:33:53,449
BEN: Sounds like you've run
into to some questionable,
577
00:33:53,449 --> 00:33:55,159
uh, lovers.
578
00:33:55,451 --> 00:33:57,912
MARIANA: She's
enlisted the help of Ben Taylor,
579
00:33:57,912 --> 00:34:01,457
a scam buster who exposes many
of their tricks on his popular
580
00:34:01,457 --> 00:34:02,667
YouTube channel.
581
00:34:03,042 --> 00:34:04,919
BEN: Today we're going to talk
about a scam that happens to you
582
00:34:04,919 --> 00:34:06,629
when you're online
looking for someone to have a
583
00:34:06,629 --> 00:34:08,006
good time with.
584
00:34:08,006 --> 00:34:09,882
MARIANA: He's part
of a growing number of cyber
585
00:34:09,882 --> 00:34:12,844
vigilantes disrupting
the work of scammers,
586
00:34:14,220 --> 00:34:16,222
some have been able
to freeze assets,
587
00:34:16,222 --> 00:34:19,475
shut down their bank accounts,
even hack into their computers.
588
00:34:20,768 --> 00:34:22,770
BEN: So, tell me a
little bit about these,
589
00:34:22,770 --> 00:34:24,605
these folks that have
reached out to you.
590
00:34:24,605 --> 00:34:25,898
BEN (over phone):How did it begin?
591
00:34:25,898 --> 00:34:28,609
SUSAN: I signed up
on Facebook Dating,
592
00:34:28,609 --> 00:34:30,486
SUSAN (over phone):I met Damian.
593
00:34:30,486 --> 00:34:32,071
And after two weeks of chatting,
594
00:34:32,071 --> 00:34:35,325
he asked for $15,000
to help him get home.
595
00:34:36,242 --> 00:34:37,493
BEN: Wow.
596
00:34:37,744 --> 00:34:39,912
MARIANA: In fact,
when I interviewed Susan before
597
00:34:39,912 --> 00:34:43,374
I left for Ghana, she told me
that nearly every man she met
598
00:34:43,374 --> 00:34:46,085
online after Damian
was also a scammer.
599
00:34:46,586 --> 00:34:48,504
SUSAN: I met Ryan.
600
00:34:48,504 --> 00:34:50,214
And then I met Joe.
601
00:34:50,214 --> 00:34:53,343
And Joe and Kenny played
their game very well.
602
00:34:54,344 --> 00:34:55,887
It's guy after guy,
after guy, after guy.
603
00:34:55,887 --> 00:34:59,849
Probably 90% of them are fake.
604
00:35:00,808 --> 00:35:02,435
MARIANA:
Frustrated and fed up,
605
00:35:02,435 --> 00:35:04,437
she decided to fight back.
606
00:35:04,729 --> 00:35:06,689
BEN: So, you've talked to some
of these gentlemen on the phone,
607
00:35:06,689 --> 00:35:08,149
is that right?
608
00:35:08,149 --> 00:35:10,026
SUSAN: One calls me every
morning and every evening;
609
00:35:10,026 --> 00:35:12,070
he thinks I'm going to go get
610
00:35:12,070 --> 00:35:15,907
$8,000 out of my bank and
take it to the Bitcoin location.
611
00:35:16,449 --> 00:35:18,451
BEN: Well, are you
going to do it?
612
00:35:18,451 --> 00:35:20,161
SUSAN: I'm going to
pretend to do it.
613
00:35:20,161 --> 00:35:21,245
BEN (over phone): Okay.
614
00:35:21,245 --> 00:35:23,081
MARIANA:
The scammer named Paul says
615
00:35:23,081 --> 00:35:25,458
he's working on an oil rig
in the Gulf of Mexico.
616
00:35:26,042 --> 00:35:28,127
BEN: I'm doing some reverse
image searches to see if I
617
00:35:28,127 --> 00:35:29,504
can find this guy anywhere.
618
00:35:29,504 --> 00:35:30,588
SUSAN (over phone): Okay.
619
00:35:30,588 --> 00:35:32,298
BEN: I haven't
found anything yet.
620
00:35:33,383 --> 00:35:34,759
Oh, hold on.
621
00:35:35,551 --> 00:35:37,095
I think I've just
found something.
622
00:35:37,595 --> 00:35:41,015
The first thing that
pops up is a David Hoffman
who's a lifting supervisor.
623
00:35:41,683 --> 00:35:43,643
MARIANA: So, you think the real
guy is called David Hoffman and
624
00:35:43,643 --> 00:35:45,812
that this guy is
using that photo.
625
00:35:45,812 --> 00:35:48,606
BEN: I'm thinking there's
a guy in Northern Ireland who
626
00:35:48,606 --> 00:35:51,067
has no idea that somebody
else is using his picture.
627
00:35:51,567 --> 00:35:52,568
SUSAN: I would agree.
628
00:35:52,568 --> 00:35:53,986
BEN (over phone): Okay,
629
00:35:53,986 --> 00:35:55,446
BEN: So maybe we can try
to find out who this guy is
630
00:35:55,446 --> 00:35:56,823
and where he's from.
631
00:35:56,823 --> 00:35:58,116
SUSAN: Okay.
632
00:35:58,116 --> 00:36:00,576
So, I'm just off work, heading.
633
00:36:00,576 --> 00:36:02,203
MARIANA: Oh, he wants
to talk on the phone.
634
00:36:02,203 --> 00:36:03,204
SUSAN: Yeah.
635
00:36:03,204 --> 00:36:04,914
All right, one second.
636
00:36:05,248 --> 00:36:07,542
MARIANA: I can't wait to
hear this guy's voice.
637
00:36:10,169 --> 00:36:11,212
SUSAN: Okay.
638
00:36:11,212 --> 00:36:13,005
All right, here we go.
639
00:36:13,005 --> 00:36:15,216
Hello, honey.
640
00:36:15,883 --> 00:36:17,093
SUSAN (over phone):Honey, are you there?
641
00:36:22,223 --> 00:36:24,142
SUSAN: Oh, I'm better
now I'm talking to you.
642
00:36:24,142 --> 00:36:29,313
Listen, I'm getting ready
to head to the bank, okay?
643
00:36:32,525 --> 00:36:33,985
SUSAN: I do!
644
00:36:33,985 --> 00:36:36,279
And honey, I forgot, why,
why did you need the money?
645
00:36:36,279 --> 00:36:37,321
I forgot.
646
00:36:47,290 --> 00:36:48,374
SUSAN: Right, right.
647
00:36:51,878 --> 00:36:53,755
SUSAN: Well, my first reaction
would be to run up and give you
648
00:36:53,755 --> 00:36:55,423
a big hug and kiss.
649
00:37:00,052 --> 00:37:01,637
SUSAN: Honey, can you
hold just a second?
650
00:37:04,557 --> 00:37:07,226
BEN: We might be able to
see exactly where he is,
651
00:37:07,226 --> 00:37:09,270
but we need him to
click on a link.
652
00:37:09,270 --> 00:37:12,315
BEN (over phone): Whatif we tell him that you'rewithdrawing the money right now
653
00:37:12,315 --> 00:37:14,358
and you're on your wayto the Bitcoin machine?
654
00:37:14,942 --> 00:37:17,945
We could probably send him
the link to a location,
655
00:37:17,945 --> 00:37:20,448
like a gas station or something,
where the Bitcoin machine is,
656
00:37:20,448 --> 00:37:23,701
and we can say, "Is this
the place I need to go to
657
00:37:23,701 --> 00:37:24,911
deposit the money?"
658
00:37:25,161 --> 00:37:26,370
And if he clicks on it,
659
00:37:26,370 --> 00:37:28,414
then I might have some
information to give you.
660
00:37:28,664 --> 00:37:32,251
SUSAN: Okay. Yeah.
661
00:37:34,670 --> 00:37:36,589
MARIANA: Okay. Okay, sent.
662
00:37:37,423 --> 00:37:39,258
BEN: All right.
663
00:37:39,258 --> 00:37:41,803
Now we all wait and
pray that he's dumb enough
to click on the link.
664
00:37:42,720 --> 00:37:44,514
MARIANA: Oh, my God.
665
00:37:44,514 --> 00:37:46,307
I'm so nervous.
Are you?
666
00:37:46,307 --> 00:37:47,850
SUSAN: Yeah.
667
00:37:47,850 --> 00:37:50,311
I feel like he's going to jump
right out of it and grab us.
668
00:37:52,730 --> 00:37:53,940
BEN (over phone): All right.
669
00:37:54,273 --> 00:37:55,983
SUSAN: Yeah.
BEN: I just got a click.
670
00:38:02,448 --> 00:38:05,243
BEN: Let's go ahead and
tell him that you are getting
671
00:38:05,243 --> 00:38:06,285
the money now.
672
00:38:07,203 --> 00:38:08,621
MARIANA: Okay, sent.
673
00:38:08,621 --> 00:38:10,081
BEN: All right.
674
00:38:10,081 --> 00:38:12,291
Now we all wait and pray
that he's dumb enough to click
675
00:38:12,291 --> 00:38:13,918
on the link.
676
00:38:19,340 --> 00:38:20,716
MARIANA: I'm so nervous.
Are you?
677
00:38:20,716 --> 00:38:22,385
SUSAN: Yeah.
MARIANA: Right?
678
00:38:23,845 --> 00:38:25,888
BEN (over phone): All right.
679
00:38:25,888 --> 00:38:27,265
BEN: I just got a click.
680
00:38:27,265 --> 00:38:28,850
BEN (over phone): He clicked it
681
00:38:29,267 --> 00:38:31,519
MARIANA: Both the
FBI and the Secret Service can
682
00:38:31,519 --> 00:38:35,481
take on investigations, but
rarely can they bring justice to
683
00:38:35,481 --> 00:38:36,774
American victims.
684
00:38:37,733 --> 00:38:39,861
MARIANA: That's
why so many are turning to
685
00:38:39,861 --> 00:38:43,281
people like Ben not only
to search for their money,
686
00:38:43,281 --> 00:38:46,075
but with a craving to give
these scammers a dose of their
687
00:38:46,075 --> 00:38:47,493
own medicine.
688
00:38:48,786 --> 00:38:50,830
BEN: I've got all the
information right here.
689
00:38:50,830 --> 00:38:52,623
BEN (over phone): Are you ready
690
00:38:52,623 --> 00:38:53,958
SUSAN: Yes.
691
00:38:54,208 --> 00:38:55,835
MARIANA:
The scammer, named Paul,
692
00:38:55,835 --> 00:38:58,963
says he's working on an oil
rig in the Gulf of Mexico.
693
00:38:58,963 --> 00:39:00,298
BEN (over phone):The time zone...
694
00:39:00,298 --> 00:39:03,843
BEN: In his phone
is putting him in Accra, Ghana.
695
00:39:05,011 --> 00:39:06,178
MARIANA: Wow.
696
00:39:06,178 --> 00:39:07,638
SUSAN: Accra, Ghana.
Where the heck is that?
697
00:39:07,638 --> 00:39:08,723
MARIANA: In West Africa.
698
00:39:08,723 --> 00:39:10,016
In Ghana.
699
00:39:10,016 --> 00:39:12,643
According to a 2018
research paper,
700
00:39:12,643 --> 00:39:16,439
only Nigeria tops Ghana in
housing the IP addresses of
701
00:39:16,439 --> 00:39:18,107
romance scammers.
702
00:39:18,858 --> 00:39:21,986
But since Ghana is only a
seventh of Nigeria's population,
703
00:39:22,528 --> 00:39:25,531
one country is clearly
punching above its weight.
704
00:39:26,198 --> 00:39:27,700
SUSAN: All right.
705
00:39:27,700 --> 00:39:29,952
So, I'm getting ready now to
block him because we're done
706
00:39:29,952 --> 00:39:31,203
with him, right?
707
00:39:31,203 --> 00:39:33,789
MARIANA: All
we had was Paul's city,
708
00:39:33,789 --> 00:39:36,751
not his real name or address,
or anything that might lead
709
00:39:36,751 --> 00:39:38,377
to an actual bust.
710
00:39:38,377 --> 00:39:42,173
But still, Susan is clearly
enjoying Ben's help.
711
00:39:43,007 --> 00:39:44,216
SUSAN: Oh, it's Lucas.
712
00:39:44,216 --> 00:39:45,968
Oh, it's Lucas.
Okay, we'll talk to Lucas.
713
00:39:45,968 --> 00:39:47,178
Hi, Honey.
714
00:39:49,347 --> 00:39:50,306
SUSAN: How are you?
715
00:39:54,644 --> 00:39:56,020
SUSAN: Aw.
716
00:39:56,020 --> 00:39:58,522
MARIANA: Lots of
criminals lie and steal but a
717
00:39:58,522 --> 00:40:01,192
romance scammer's
con is more intimate.
718
00:40:01,692 --> 00:40:02,693
SUSAN: I love you, honey.
719
00:40:05,488 --> 00:40:07,114
MARIANA: Their
payday depends on gaining the
720
00:40:07,114 --> 00:40:09,492
trust and affection of
another human being.
721
00:40:09,909 --> 00:40:11,619
SHADOW (female voice):
I'll be waiting for you online.
722
00:40:11,619 --> 00:40:13,996
MARIANA:
I wonder if that leaves
them more conflicted.
723
00:40:14,455 --> 00:40:16,165
THE PUNISHER: I, I love Michael.
724
00:40:16,165 --> 00:40:19,377
He's been so kind to me,
you know, since I met him.
725
00:40:20,127 --> 00:40:22,338
MARIANA: I did
believe The Punisher when he
726
00:40:22,338 --> 00:40:24,632
told me he'd fallen in
love with his victim.
727
00:40:24,966 --> 00:40:27,051
Do you think he'd be so
sad if he'd found out that
728
00:40:27,051 --> 00:40:28,552
you were a man?
729
00:40:28,886 --> 00:40:30,096
THE PUNISHER: Yeah.
730
00:40:36,852 --> 00:40:37,895
THE PUNISHER: You know?
731
00:40:40,731 --> 00:40:41,941
MARIANA: Uh‐hmm.
732
00:40:41,941 --> 00:40:44,193
He didn't receive
20,000 from Michael,
733
00:40:44,193 --> 00:40:46,570
but they are still in
an online relationship.
734
00:40:58,791 --> 00:41:01,002
MARIANA: For Odo,
seeing one of his victims
735
00:41:01,002 --> 00:41:03,796
evicted from her home actually
made him leave the game.
736
00:41:14,640 --> 00:41:16,225
MARIANA: You have glasses on,
and we can't see very well,
737
00:41:16,225 --> 00:41:17,268
but I can, um...
738
00:41:17,268 --> 00:41:18,728
ODO: Yeah.
739
00:41:18,728 --> 00:41:19,478
MARIANA: You're getting
emotional talking about this?
740
00:41:19,478 --> 00:41:20,354
ODO: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
741
00:41:26,152 --> 00:41:27,987
MARIANA:
But Miami Queen sees no reason
742
00:41:27,987 --> 00:41:29,238
to feel remorse.
743
00:41:39,331 --> 00:41:41,125
MARIANA: It's a
justification I've heard before.
744
00:41:44,628 --> 00:41:46,380
MARIANA:
Scams as reparations.
745
00:41:46,380 --> 00:41:47,798
THE PUNISHER:
We need to survive.
746
00:41:47,798 --> 00:41:49,884
Africa needs to survive.
747
00:41:49,884 --> 00:41:51,385
MARIANA: At the expense of
other peoples' suffering?
748
00:41:51,385 --> 00:41:53,846
MIAMI QUEEN: Yes.
THE PUNISHER: Yes.
749
00:41:54,263 --> 00:41:56,891
MARIANA: I wonder if you know
how much harm you're actually
750
00:41:56,891 --> 00:41:58,350
inflicting on some people.
751
00:41:58,350 --> 00:41:59,810
THE PUNISHER: Yeah. Yeah.
752
00:41:59,810 --> 00:42:00,686
MARIANA: In our case, we've
interviewed mostly women.
753
00:42:00,686 --> 00:42:02,730
THE PUNISHER: Yeah.
754
00:42:02,730 --> 00:42:04,523
MARIANA: And now it's difficult
for them to find other people,
to trust other people.
755
00:42:04,523 --> 00:42:06,275
Some of the people
who lost millions of dollars.
756
00:42:15,284 --> 00:42:17,161
MARIANA: So, it's easier to
sleep with a guilty conscience
757
00:42:17,161 --> 00:42:19,080
than it is with
an empty stomach?
758
00:42:19,538 --> 00:42:21,123
THE PUNISHER: Uh, yeah.
759
00:42:21,123 --> 00:42:23,918
But, you know, you know,
everybody is finding
a way to survive.
760
00:42:37,932 --> 00:42:39,433
MARIANA: Before I left Ghana,
761
00:42:39,433 --> 00:42:42,186
Pussycat wanted to show me a
fishing village not far from
762
00:42:42,186 --> 00:42:44,563
where he grew up.
763
00:42:44,897 --> 00:42:47,191
So, what's the percentage of
people if they're born in a
764
00:42:47,191 --> 00:42:48,651
community like this, that they
are able to get out of poverty?
765
00:42:48,651 --> 00:42:49,860
PUSSYCAT: Here.
766
00:43:13,092 --> 00:43:14,635
MARIANA: Ahh.
767
00:43:18,389 --> 00:43:19,306
Yes!
768
00:43:19,306 --> 00:43:21,142
PUSSYCAT: Oh.
769
00:43:21,142 --> 00:43:22,393
PUSSYCAT: Ahh.
770
00:43:25,062 --> 00:43:26,188
MARIANA: A footballer?
771
00:43:26,188 --> 00:43:28,107
(speaking in native language).
772
00:43:30,025 --> 00:43:32,069
PUSSYCAT: Cristiano Ronaldo.
MARIANA: Cristiano Ronaldo.
773
00:43:32,069 --> 00:43:33,529
That's a good choice.
Portuguese.
774
00:43:33,529 --> 00:43:35,030
PUSSYCAT:
He wants to be a banker.
775
00:43:35,030 --> 00:43:36,198
MARIANA: He wants
to be a banker?
776
00:43:36,198 --> 00:43:37,950
PUSSYCAT: Yes, he
wants to do a banker.
777
00:43:37,950 --> 00:43:40,661
MARIANA:
No one grows up wanting
to become a romance scammer.
778
00:43:40,661 --> 00:43:43,455
It's a decision made
out of desperation.
779
00:43:44,123 --> 00:43:45,833
PUSSYCAT: Okay,
mechanical engineer.
780
00:43:45,833 --> 00:43:47,084
MARIANA: Mechanical engineer?
781
00:43:47,084 --> 00:43:48,586
PUSSYCAT: Yeah, so you
see, they have dreams.
782
00:43:48,586 --> 00:43:50,713
MARIANA: But I also
understand that people do what
783
00:43:50,713 --> 00:43:54,383
they have to do to survive and
to provide for their families.
784
00:43:56,927 --> 00:43:59,889
That urge is universal.
785
00:44:00,723 --> 00:44:05,394
Maybe as universal as the
search for love itself.
786
00:44:06,937 --> 00:44:08,689
Captioned by
Cotter Media Group.
61308
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.
Afrikaans
Akan
Albanian
Amharic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Basque
Belarusian
Bemba
Bengali
Bihari
Bosnian
Breton
Bulgarian
Cambodian
Catalan
Cebuano
Cherokee
Chichewa
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Corsican
Croatian
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English
Esperanto
Estonian
Faroese
Finnish
Galician
Georgian
German
Greek
Guarani
Haitian Creole
Hausa
Hawaiian
Hebrew
Hmong
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Kazakh
Kinyarwanda
Kirundi
Kongo
Korean
Krio (Sierra Leone)
Kurdish
Kyrgyz
Laothian
Latin
Latvian
Lithuanian
Luganda
Luo
Luxembourgish
Macedonian
Malagasy
Malay
Maltese
Maori
Mauritian Creole
Moldavian
Mongolian
Myanmar (Burmese)
Montenegrin
Nepali
Norwegian
Pashto
Persian
Polish
Portuguese (Brazil)
Portuguese (Portugal)
Quechua
Romanian
Romansh
Russian
Samoan
Scots Gaelic
Serbian
Sesotho
Setswana
Seychellois Creole
Shona
Sindhi
Sinhalese
Slovak
Slovenian
Somali
Spanish
Swedish
Tajik
Thai
Tigrinya
Tonga
Turkish
Turkmen
Ukrainian
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Welsh
Wolof