What part of 'hunky' does she think pertains to her. We all know our limitations specially as we get older but at what point do you honestly think someone much younger and goodlooking is actually going after you?
Ava, a 76-year-old grandmother from Harlow, Essex, has spoken of her heartbreak and humiliation after being duped out of £67,000 by romance fraudster who reeled her in with sweet words and fake photos - before bleeding her dry.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, divorcee Ava bravely recounted how she fell victim to an elaborate catfishing plot orchestrated by a scammer in Nigeria, who posed as a charming and hunky American oil-rig worker named 'David West'.
In reality, 'David' was using stolen photos of a real man whose image has often been used by scammers - Dr Mark Smith, a chiropractor in Indiana - while spinning tales of hardship, delayed flights and desperate emergencies that Ava felt compelled to help with.
'He told me he was in an oil rig in the middle of the sea somewhere,' she said. 'I've since learned that's a favourite job for these people to pretend they have.'
What began as a harmless online friendship in 2018 - sparked when he complimented her photos on Facebook - soon turned into a daily lifeline. Ava, a mother of two with three grandchildren, divorced and grieving the loss of her mother, admitted the attention became a comfort.
'I think we'd been talking maybe six months and then he was coming home,' she recalled. 'And he told me he got stopped at the airport – something to do with his drilling equipment - and needed money to sort himself out.'
Desperate to help the man she believed was flying back to start a new life with her, Ava sent her first payment of £250.
'David always asked for the money to go to "other people", depending on what situation he'd made up. One name was Oghogho Igbinuvia.
I feel sorry for her. You would think she has some self awareness and common sense that at her age good looking younger men will not be pursuing romance all too often,I agree with that.
But con men can be extremely plausible. They also pick people they can tell are naive, lonely and therefore will be receptive to their 'charms' She isn't be the first and certainly won't be the last.
Maddog said
Jul 6 7:04 PM, 2025
Digger wrote:
What part of 'hunky' does she think pertains to her. We all know our limitations specially as we get older but at what point do you honestly think someone much younger and goodlooking is actually going after you?
Ava, a 76-year-old grandmother from Harlow, Essex, has spoken of her heartbreak and humiliation after being duped out of £67,000 by romance fraudster who reeled her in with sweet words and fake photos - before bleeding her dry.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, divorcee Ava bravely recounted how she fell victim to an elaborate catfishing plot orchestrated by a scammer in Nigeria, who posed as a charming and hunky American oil-rig worker named 'David West'.
In reality, 'David' was using stolen photos of a real man whose image has often been used by scammers - Dr Mark Smith, a chiropractor in Indiana - while spinning tales of hardship, delayed flights and desperate emergencies that Ava felt compelled to help with.
'He told me he was in an oil rig in the middle of the sea somewhere,' she said. 'I've since learned that's a favourite job for these people to pretend they have.'
What began as a harmless online friendship in 2018 - sparked when he complimented her photos on Facebook - soon turned into a daily lifeline. Ava, a mother of two with three grandchildren, divorced and grieving the loss of her mother, admitted the attention became a comfort.
'I think we'd been talking maybe six months and then he was coming home,' she recalled. 'And he told me he got stopped at the airport – something to do with his drilling equipment - and needed money to sort himself out.'
Desperate to help the man she believed was flying back to start a new life with her, Ava sent her first payment of £250.
'David always asked for the money to go to "other people", depending on what situation he'd made up. One name was Oghogho Igbinuvia.
She should have bought a puppy and taken it for daily walks..
Anonymous said
Jul 6 7:08 PM, 2025
Fluffy wrote:
I feel sorry for her. You would think she has some self awareness and common sense that at her age good looking younger men will not be pursuing romance all too often,I agree with that.
But con men can be extremely plausible. They also pick people they can tell are naive, lonely and therefore will be receptive to their 'charms' She isn't be the first and certainly won't be the last.
I do have some sympathy but when proof of the con is presented and they still refuse to believe it that’s when any sympathy ends.
Red Okktober said
Jul 6 7:15 PM, 2025
That French woman conned out of 700k who thought she was dating a 'sick' Brad Pitt was fucking hilarious!
Anonymous said
Jul 6 7:21 PM, 2025
Red Okktober wrote:
That French woman conned out of 700k who thought she was dating a 'sick' Brad Pitt was fucking hilarious!
That one I did read up on.
Magica said
Jul 6 7:54 PM, 2025
Digger wrote:
Oghogho Igbinuvia???
No fool like an old fool
A fool and their money are soon parted!
How do they really buy into this, it's unbelievable. It happens so.much!
Fluffy said
Jul 6 8:23 PM, 2025
Red Okktober wrote:
That French woman conned out of 700k who thought she was dating a 'sick' Brad Pitt was fucking hilarious!
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
Red Okktober said
Jul 6 9:21 PM, 2025
Fluffy wrote:
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
Syl said
Jul 6 11:31 PM, 2025
I couldn't laugh at these women, or men, because they can be just as gullible, but I do find it hard to feel sorry for them.
I realise they are lonely, but surely somewhere in the back of their mind they must realise a hunky filmstar is not on the Internet sweet talking them, and only them.
A retired head teacher was in the news not long ago...she also fell for some conman.
As for the creeps trawling the Internet looking for sad and lonely elderly folk to con...they are just beneath contempt.
Anonymous said
Jul 7 2:41 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I couldn't laugh at these women, or men, because they can be just as gullible, but I do find it hard to feel sorry for them. I realise they are lonely, but surely somewhere in the back of their mind they must realise a hunky filmstar is not on the Internet sweet talking them, and only them. A retired head teacher was in the news not long ago...she also fell for some conman.
As for the creeps trawling the Internet looking for sad and lonely elderly folk to con...they are just beneath contempt.
This woman was married when she started chatting to “Brad”. Her daughter tried for approx a year telling her to stop. She lost every penny of her divorce settlement to the scammer(s) and now lives in a small room at a friend’s place. She is 53yo so not elderly.
“At one point, "Brad Pitt" said he tried to send her luxury gifts but that he was unable to pay customs on them as his bank accounts were frozen due to his divorce proceedings with actor Angelina Jolie, prompting Anne to transfer €9000 to the scammers.“
I’m sorry but nobody would believe this if it were a sit-com.
Fluffy said
Jul 7 10:17 AM, 2025
Red Okktober wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
What the actual f*ck.. Never have I conned anyone and not would I. I'm certainly not a predator. I'm done with this childish nonsense.The activities you refer to (for no apparent reason..) to were TEN years ago. Nothing in your reply pertains to the thread in any way.
I'm so glad I made up with Vam who is a lovely very funny lady.xx But Sir, you don't deserve my time. If anytime we disagree on a thread you are permitted to throw events from a decade ago at me and make things up...life's too short for this..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:23:19 AM
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:36:07 AM
Syl said
Jul 7 10:45 AM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Syl wrote:
I couldn't laugh at these women, or men, because they can be just as gullible, but I do find it hard to feel sorry for them. I realise they are lonely, but surely somewhere in the back of their mind they must realise a hunky filmstar is not on the Internet sweet talking them, and only them. A retired head teacher was in the news not long ago...she also fell for some conman.
As for the creeps trawling the Internet looking for sad and lonely elderly folk to con...they are just beneath contempt.
This woman was married when she started chatting to “Brad”. Her daughter tried for approx a year telling her to stop. She lost every penny of her divorce settlement to the scammer(s) and now lives in a small room at a friend’s place. She is 53yo so not elderly.
“At one point, "Brad Pitt" said he tried to send her luxury gifts but that he was unable to pay customs on them as his bank accounts were frozen due to his divorce proceedings with actor Angelina Jolie, prompting Anne to transfer €9000 to the scammers.“
I’m sorry but nobody would believe this if it were a sit-com.
I hadn't read the details, and you are right, it would be far-fetched even if it was a piece of fiction.
That's the thing though, why do these intelligent women (like the head teacher) fall for these blatant cons...I dont get it.
Syl said
Jul 7 10:48 AM, 2025
Fluffy wrote:
Red Okktober wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
What the actual f*ck.. Never have I conned anyone and not would I. I'm certainly not a predator. I'm done with this childish nonsense.The activities you refer to (for no apparent reason..) to were TEN years ago. Nothing in your reply pertains to the thread in any way.
I'm so glad I made up with Vam who is a lovely very funny lady.xx But Sir, you don't deserve my time. If anytime we disagree on a thread you are permitted to throw events from a decade ago at me and make things up...life's too short for this..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:23:19 AM
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:36:07 AM
Maybe if Dogs reopens and flourishes, people with a mind to could rejoin there....they are the specialists in reaping up old news.
I thought we had moved on.
Digger said
Jul 7 11:04 AM, 2025
Fluffy wrote:
Red Okktober wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
What the actual f*ck.. Never have I conned anyone and not would I. I'm certainly not a predator. I'm done with this childish nonsense.The activities you refer to (for no apparent reason..) to were TEN years ago. Nothing in your reply pertains to the thread in any way.
I'm so glad I made up with Vam who is a lovely very funny lady.xx But Sir, you don't deserve my time. If anytime we disagree on a thread you are permitted to throw events from a decade ago at me and make things up...life's too short for this..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:23:19 AM
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:36:07 AM
I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
Your words to Red.
When you wind folks up they bite. Some more than others. You know that. You know how forums work. You know that often, historical things get dredged up. If you think this place gives you a hard time go join Mumsnet, then you'll see what real bitchery is.
Syl said
Jul 7 11:07 AM, 2025
Digger wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
Red Okktober wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
What the actual f*ck.. Never have I conned anyone and not would I. I'm certainly not a predator. I'm done with this childish nonsense.The activities you refer to (for no apparent reason..) to were TEN years ago. Nothing in your reply pertains to the thread in any way.
I'm so glad I made up with Vam who is a lovely very funny lady.xx But Sir, you don't deserve my time. If anytime we disagree on a thread you are permitted to throw events from a decade ago at me and make things up...life's too short for this..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:23:19 AM
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:36:07 AM
I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
Your words to Red.
When you wind folks up they bite. Some more than others. You know that. You know how forums work. You know that often, historical things get dredged up. If you think this place gives you a hard time go join Mumsnet, then you'll see what real bitchery is.
You were only there a day before they banned you.
Digger said
Jul 7 11:47 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Digger wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
Red Okktober wrote:
Fluffy wrote:
I doubt it was hilarious for her..Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
What the actual f*ck.. Never have I conned anyone and not would I. I'm certainly not a predator. I'm done with this childish nonsense.The activities you refer to (for no apparent reason..) to were TEN years ago. Nothing in your reply pertains to the thread in any way.
I'm so glad I made up with Vam who is a lovely very funny lady.xx But Sir, you don't deserve my time. If anytime we disagree on a thread you are permitted to throw events from a decade ago at me and make things up...life's too short for this..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:23:19 AM
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:36:07 AM
I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
Your words to Red.
When you wind folks up they bite. Some more than others. You know that. You know how forums work. You know that often, historical things get dredged up. If you think this place gives you a hard time go join Mumsnet, then you'll see what real bitchery is.
You were only there a day before they banned you.
Exactly!!!
Syl said
Jul 7 12:25 PM, 2025
Anons....don't even bother.
Members have a right to free speech on here...you don't.
Vam said
Jul 7 1:10 PM, 2025
Does she not have friends who care enough to gently steer her right?
Or, at the very least, any kids that would be deeply alarmed to see their inheritance being frittered away?
What part of 'hunky' does she think pertains to her. We all know our limitations specially as we get older but at what point do you honestly think someone much younger and goodlooking is actually going after you?
Ava, a 76-year-old grandmother from Harlow, Essex, has spoken of her heartbreak and humiliation after being duped out of £67,000 by romance fraudster who reeled her in with sweet words and fake photos - before bleeding her dry.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, divorcee Ava bravely recounted how she fell victim to an elaborate catfishing plot orchestrated by a scammer in Nigeria, who posed as a charming and hunky American oil-rig worker named 'David West'.
In reality, 'David' was using stolen photos of a real man whose image has often been used by scammers - Dr Mark Smith, a chiropractor in Indiana - while spinning tales of hardship, delayed flights and desperate emergencies that Ava felt compelled to help with.
'He told me he was in an oil rig in the middle of the sea somewhere,' she said. 'I've since learned that's a favourite job for these people to pretend they have.'
What began as a harmless online friendship in 2018 - sparked when he complimented her photos on Facebook - soon turned into a daily lifeline. Ava, a mother of two with three grandchildren, divorced and grieving the loss of her mother, admitted the attention became a comfort.
'I think we'd been talking maybe six months and then he was coming home,' she recalled. 'And he told me he got stopped at the airport – something to do with his drilling equipment - and needed money to sort himself out.'
Desperate to help the man she believed was flying back to start a new life with her, Ava sent her first payment of £250.
'David always asked for the money to go to "other people", depending on what situation he'd made up. One name was Oghogho Igbinuvia.
Oghogho Igbinuvia???
No fool like an old fool
I feel sorry for her. You would think she has some self awareness and common sense that at her age good looking younger men will not be pursuing romance all too often,I agree with that.
But con men can be extremely plausible. They also pick people they can tell are naive, lonely and therefore will be receptive to their 'charms' She isn't be the first and certainly won't be the last.
She should have bought a puppy and taken it for daily walks..
I do have some sympathy but when proof of the con is presented and they still refuse to believe it that’s when any sympathy ends.
That French woman conned out of 700k who thought she was dating a 'sick' Brad Pitt was fucking hilarious!
That one I did read up on.
A fool and their money are soon parted!
How do they really buy into this, it's unbelievable. It happens so.much!
I doubt it was hilarious for her..
Anyone who believed this transparent ruse was real and lost such a vast sum of money obviously deserves pity, not mockery.
These predators seek out women they know are lonely ,vulnerable ,older or not mentally sound. I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
She was an interior designer, and that she had 700k to be conned out of shows she was not vulnerable, just completely fucking stupid, so yes, it was hilarious that she fell for it.
In any case, aren't you a predator yourself? Preying on vulnerable, lonely, not mentally sound men, in order to get cash out of them in your role as a cheap whore, selling trashy pics and vids, or maybe being a man pretending to be a cheap whore?
Either way, you are hardly in a position to be taking the moral high ground about anything at all.
From what I can remember of your pics, I find it highly unlikely that you conned these vulnerable men out of anything remotely resembling 700k though.
I realise they are lonely, but surely somewhere in the back of their mind they must realise a hunky filmstar is not on the Internet sweet talking them, and only them.
A retired head teacher was in the news not long ago...she also fell for some conman.
As for the creeps trawling the Internet looking for sad and lonely elderly folk to con...they are just beneath contempt.
This woman was married when she started chatting to “Brad”. Her daughter tried for approx a year telling her to stop. She lost every penny of her divorce settlement to the scammer(s) and now lives in a small room at a friend’s place. She is 53yo so not elderly.
“At one point, "Brad Pitt" said he tried to send her luxury gifts but that he was unable to pay customs on them as his bank accounts were frozen due to his divorce proceedings with actor Angelina Jolie, prompting Anne to transfer €9000 to the scammers.“
I’m sorry but nobody would believe this if it were a sit-com.
What the actual f*ck.. Never have I conned anyone and not would I. I'm certainly not a predator. I'm done with this childish nonsense.The activities you refer to (for no apparent reason..) to were TEN years ago. Nothing in your reply pertains to the thread in any way.
I'm so glad I made up with Vam who is a lovely very funny lady.xx But Sir, you don't deserve my time. If anytime we disagree on a thread you are permitted to throw events from a decade ago at me and make things up...life's too short for this..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:23:19 AM
-- Edited by Fluffy on Monday 7th of July 2025 10:36:07 AM
I hadn't read the details, and you are right, it would be far-fetched even if it was a piece of fiction.
That's the thing though, why do these intelligent women (like the head teacher) fall for these blatant cons...I dont get it.
Maybe if Dogs reopens and flourishes, people with a mind to could rejoin there....they are the specialists in reaping up old news.
I thought we had moved on.
I don't think laughing at their extreme naivety is a natural human reaction but I suppose it takes all sorts..knock yourself out.
Your words to Red.
When you wind folks up they bite. Some more than others. You know that. You know how forums work. You know that often, historical things get dredged up. If you think this place gives you a hard time go join Mumsnet, then you'll see what real bitchery is.
You were only there a day before they banned you.
Exactly!!!
Anons....don't even bother.
Members have a right to free speech on here...you don't.
Does she not have friends who care enough to gently steer her right?
Or, at the very least, any kids that would be deeply alarmed to see their inheritance being frittered away?