Michelle Singletary

These are long con games. He was on the phone with her for about three months, twice a day at 9 a.m. in the morning, 6 p.m. at night, talking to her. So initially, there wasn't an ask for money. It was like telling her about the criminal activity, that they were selling drugs to children, that we've been trying to get this drug cartel. And it was a real drug cartel. She looked that up.

These are long con games. He was on the phone with her for about three months, twice a day at 9 a.m. in the morning, 6 p.m. at night, talking to her. So initially, there wasn't an ask for money. It was like telling her about the criminal activity, that they were selling drugs to children, that we've been trying to get this drug cartel. And it was a real drug cartel. She looked that up.

There is a case against them. So they fed her all this information that is real, even though they weren't. That's how they sort of laid the groundwork. So she's telling them about her life. This scam was targeted specifically to her because they had enough information about her that they go, oh, I see that you were a therapist. I see that you worked here. It's all true.

There is a case against them. So they fed her all this information that is real, even though they weren't. That's how they sort of laid the groundwork. So she's telling them about her life. This scam was targeted specifically to her because they had enough information about her that they go, oh, I see that you were a therapist. I see that you worked here. It's all true.

There is a case against them. So they fed her all this information that is real, even though they weren't. That's how they sort of laid the groundwork. So she's telling them about her life. This scam was targeted specifically to her because they had enough information about her that they go, oh, I see that you were a therapist. I see that you worked here. It's all true.

So who would know that but the government? And that's how they pulled down her guard.

So who would know that but the government? And that's how they pulled down her guard.

So who would know that but the government? And that's how they pulled down her guard.

That's exactly right. And that's where I was hoping that this series was different. Instead of just focusing on the amount of money lost or all the red flags she missed, it was saying she is a crime victim. It is one of the few crimes where we feel it's okay to say, well, why didn't you do this? Or didn't you know that?

That's exactly right. And that's where I was hoping that this series was different. Instead of just focusing on the amount of money lost or all the red flags she missed, it was saying she is a crime victim. It is one of the few crimes where we feel it's okay to say, well, why didn't you do this? Or didn't you know that?

That's exactly right. And that's where I was hoping that this series was different. Instead of just focusing on the amount of money lost or all the red flags she missed, it was saying she is a crime victim. It is one of the few crimes where we feel it's okay to say, well, why didn't you do this? Or didn't you know that?

If someone snatches someone's purse and they're showing up to file a complaint, you don't say, well, why would you hang in a bag on your arm? You know, you should have had it tucked in your coat. I mean, we treat these people as if they willingly one day woke up and said, I want to give a scammer all of my life savings. And it puts them on the defense. It makes them go silent.

If someone snatches someone's purse and they're showing up to file a complaint, you don't say, well, why would you hang in a bag on your arm? You know, you should have had it tucked in your coat. I mean, we treat these people as if they willingly one day woke up and said, I want to give a scammer all of my life savings. And it puts them on the defense. It makes them go silent.

If someone snatches someone's purse and they're showing up to file a complaint, you don't say, well, why would you hang in a bag on your arm? You know, you should have had it tucked in your coat. I mean, we treat these people as if they willingly one day woke up and said, I want to give a scammer all of my life savings. And it puts them on the defense. It makes them go silent.

I talked to many victims who have not come forward. They know they're going to face scrutiny. and shame and embarrassment because how we talk to them, how we describe the crime. I just wanted to have empathy for this woman who lost all of her savings because some awful person tricked her, conned her, manipulated her, made her believe something and that she was helping out the government.

I talked to many victims who have not come forward. They know they're going to face scrutiny. and shame and embarrassment because how we talk to them, how we describe the crime. I just wanted to have empathy for this woman who lost all of her savings because some awful person tricked her, conned her, manipulated her, made her believe something and that she was helping out the government.

I talked to many victims who have not come forward. They know they're going to face scrutiny. and shame and embarrassment because how we talk to them, how we describe the crime. I just wanted to have empathy for this woman who lost all of her savings because some awful person tricked her, conned her, manipulated her, made her believe something and that she was helping out the government.

It is clear where her money went up. There were about five banks involved. So all her retirement money was Morgan Stanley. And then when she went to pull it all out, they suspected something was wrong. They eventually, and this is emails that Judith shared with me, not Morgan Stanley, although Morgan Stanley did provide a statement that they tried to warn her.

It is clear where her money went up. There were about five banks involved. So all her retirement money was Morgan Stanley. And then when she went to pull it all out, they suspected something was wrong. They eventually, and this is emails that Judith shared with me, not Morgan Stanley, although Morgan Stanley did provide a statement that they tried to warn her.

It is clear where her money went up. There were about five banks involved. So all her retirement money was Morgan Stanley. And then when she went to pull it all out, they suspected something was wrong. They eventually, and this is emails that Judith shared with me, not Morgan Stanley, although Morgan Stanley did provide a statement that they tried to warn her.