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

After losing her husband of 36 years, Delaware County resident Kate Kleinert was targeted on Facebook by a romance scammer posing as a United Nations doctor working overseas. What began with a simple friend request became months of emotional grooming. The supposed doctor contacted Kate daily, discussed marriage and introduced her to two alleged children who began calling her “Mom.” Then the requests for gift cards and money began. Kate eventually lost nearly $39,000—her life savings—to a man who never existed. In this powerful Dating to Win interview, Kate reveals how the romance scammer studied her life, gained her trust and created an entire fictional future. She also recounts the heartbreaking night she dressed for their first meeting, prepared champagne and waited for a telephone call that never came. 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 endured another unimaginable tragedy. A devastating house fire destroyed her home and killed all six of the hospice dogs she lovingly cared for. Somehow, Kate found the courage to rebuild. Today, she is a nationally recognized romance-scam survivor advocate who works to educate the public and help other victims understand that the shame belongs to the criminal—not the person who was deliberately manipulated. IN THIS EPISODE: • How Kate was targeted after losing her husband • The Facebook friend request that changed her life • The fake doctor claiming to work overseas • How emotional grooming creates trust • Why the scammer’s supposed children called her “Mom” • How gift-card requests escalated into a $39,000 loss • The night Kate waited for the doctor to arrive • Grieving a person who never actually existed • The devastating fire that destroyed Kate’s home • Losing all six of her hospice dogs • How Kate became a romance-scam survivor advocate • The Unbreaking Project—Kate’s Hug • Romance-scam warning signs • How families should support suspected victims SUPPORT THE UNBREAKING PROJECT—KATE’S HUG: https://advocatingforu.com/unbreaking-project/ 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-fraud/helpline/ Report Internet Crime to the FBI: https://www.ic3.gov/ Report Fraud to the Federal Trade Commission: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ WATCH MORE DATING TO WIN ROMANCE-SCAM INTERVIEWS: The Romance Scam That Destroyed Her Life | Jennifer’s Story https://youtu.be/sOrlMvfjBNQ Romance Scam Victim Lost $1.6 Million in Crypto | Lang’s Interview https://youtu.be/xPY\_AIc9cWc I Lost Half a Million to Online Dating—Here’s How It Happened https://youtu.be/3WrZM-U6XVA Romance Scammers and Billion-Dollar Criminal Networks | Erin West https://youtu.be/JgR51ZXBWK8 SUBSCRIBE TO DATING TO WIN ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@DatingtoWin25?sub\_confirmation=1 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, emotional manipulation, recovery and rebuilding your life. Hosted and produced by Matt Russo. Topics covered include romance scams, romance scammers, fake doctor scams, Facebook romance scams, online dating scams, widow romance-scam victims, emotional grooming, catfishing, gift-card scams, elder fraud, scam recovery, Kate Kleinert, Kate’s Hug and the AARP Fraud Watch Network.