B.C. Elder Loses Over $60,000 in Online Romance Scam

Sharon Blakeborough sent a man she believed she loved over $60,000 in an online romance scam that spanned a year and a half. On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, she's sharing her story as a warning to others.

After her separation from her husband, Blakeborough connected with someone online who presented himself as David Thompson, a U.S. Army doctor. He was kind, tender, and told her he had a son.

"Each demand came with a different excuse and a greater sum," Blakeborough said of the requests that followed. "$2000 here, $2000 there, $1500, $3000 – I borrowed $5000 from the bank to send him money. I borrowed from other people."

Familily members warned her, but she refused to believe she was being scammed until he asked for thousands to come visit her in Hope and never showed up. The stress of realizing the deception triggered a heart attack.

"I thought I loved him. I felt like a total idiot," she said. "I cried so hard so many times. So stressed. I could hardly breathe."

Blakeborough is one of thousands of B.C. residents reporting elder abuse. While financial abuse is most common, it can also take the form of physical or psychological mistreatment and neglect, often perpetrated by family members, friends, neighbours, or caregivers.

Seniors First BC reports steady increases in calls to their seniors abuse information line (SAIL). The trend may reflect an aging population and increasingly sophisticated scams.

"It's really that emotional attachment that can be difficult to discuss with other people. There are feelings of shame," said Marie-Noel Campbell, executive director of Seniors First BC. "Early detection, talking to someone they trust is so important."

As Blakeborough recovers from the financial debt, her message is direct: "Block them. Because they're not looking out for your health, they're looking out for our money."