A California widow says she misplaced $425,000, together with the proceeds from promoting her dwelling, to a web-based suitor who promised marriage, a dream dwelling and entry to his supposed $7 million fortune.
Bonnie Doose, 76, of Riverside, by no means met the person who referred to as himself “Dean Ramirez,” however over two years she wired him $250,000 from her checking account and one other $175,000 after promoting her home, believing his repeated claims that he solely wanted cash to clear a tax lien that had frozen his tens of millions.
The pair met via a courting app after Doose turned a widow in 2023, when her husband Kirk died by suicide whereas battling a terminal sickness.
Residing alone with no youngsters, she hoped to search out companionship. “I simply put it on the market,” she instructed The Orange County Register. “I’m sincere.”
Ramirez claimed he was a 60-year-old widower engaged on an oil rig and repeatedly assured Doose he would repay her as quickly as his cash was launched.
He even texted her what gave the impression to be a screenshot of a $7 million financial institution stability because the pair browsed houses on-line and deliberate a future collectively.
“You nearly really feel brainwashed at a degree,” Doose mentioned. “And you’re feeling fortunate that you just discovered anyone who cares.”
Regardless of having faculty levels and a profession in little one improvement, Doose mentioned she by no means imagined she would grow to be a sufferer.
“I’m not silly,” she mentioned, including that she believes she could also be experiencing gentle dementia. The requests for cash stored coming.
When Ramirez requested for an additional $116,000 in December 2025, Doose offered her Riverside dwelling for $377,000, about $90,000 beneath market worth, in response to her legal professional, John E. Tiedt.
Even after the sale, she continued sending cash, wiring Ramirez one other $23,000, then $20,000 and eventually $16,000 after he assured her, “We’re nearly there.”
A neighbor repeatedly warned Doose she was being scammed. “I didn’t need to imagine he was that good,” she mentioned.
Solely after contacting Tiedt and Riverside police did she lower off the funds.
She continues to be dwelling in the home for now due to the customer’s goodwill, however Tiedt mentioned a plan to assist her preserve the house is prone to fail.
Tiedt mentioned the rip-off succeeded as a result of the suspect gained Doose’s full belief.
“The hook was in.”
Riverside police Detective Robert Olsen, who investigated the case, mentioned romance scams stay the commonest fraud concentrating on individuals 65 and older.
He believes Doose’s scammer relies in Nigeria and makes use of intermediaries to keep away from arrest.
“Primarily, once we are coping with the aged, it’s not about educating the aged as a lot as educating the individuals round them to note when this stuff are occurring,” Olsen instructed The Orange County Register.
Even after Doose stopped sending cash, Ramirez continued attempting to contact her.
Throughout an interview with The Press-Enterprise, he texted: “Honey I’ve been so nervous,” adopted by a prayer emoji. “Please attempt to attain me. Dean.”
Doose now has easy recommendation for anybody requested to ship cash to somebody they’ve by no means met.
“Do away with them quick,” she mentioned.
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