A 69-year-old man has been left desperately homeless and broke after losing Ksh. 12 million to an online romance scam involving a woman who never existed who he says was his Kenyan “wife-to-be”
Rodrick Lodge, a former United Nations worker, fell victim to this scheme after losing his wife, Pauline, in 2019.
Rodrick, who was living in Leiston, Suffolk, connected with a woman named Anita through a friend he had met during a visit to Kenya. Feeling lonely and vulnerable, he was drawn into an online relationship with Anita, who convinced him that they could build a life together in Nairobi. Anita claimed to be a successful businesswoman, managing a beauty products company with a staff of 30. This convincing story made Lodge believe she was genuine.
Over time, Lodge agreed to help Anita with renovations to what he thought was her four-bedroom home, believing it was part of the dowry arrangement for their future marriage. He sent her money to fund various upgrades and received pictures of supposed home improvements and intimate photos, further solidifying his belief in the relationship.
Lodge, under the impression that everything was legitimate, planned to relocate to Nairobi to marry Anita. However, when he arrived in Kenya, she was nowhere to be found. Despite his repeated attempts to arrange a meeting, she always had an excuse. The truth finally surfaced: Anita never existed, and the entire scam was orchestrated by Lodge’s own friend, the person who had initially introduced them.
Speaking about his ordeal, Lodge expressed deep regret and sorrow for falling for the deception. “The plan was to meet in Nairobi, but it turned out to be a scam. Anita was never real,” he said.
The aftermath of the scam was brutal. Lodge returned to the UK, but with his finances ruined, he had nowhere to go. He ended up sleeping at Heathrow Airport for three days before finally finding temporary shelter at a homeless refuge in Woking.
“My life is in ruins. I’ve lost everything and have nothing left. I have no family, and the few friends I do have now view me with pity. This has destroyed my life,” Lodge lamented.
Action Fraud, the UK’s center for fraud and cybercrime reporting, has issued advice to help people avoid falling victim to romance scams. They urge people to be cautious about sending money to individuals they’ve met online, especially if they haven’t met them in person. They also warn against sharing bank details, taking out loans for someone else, or handling packages on their behalf.
If you suspect you are being scammed, it’s important to report the incident to authorities immediately.
FOLLOW OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL FOR MORE UPDATES
SHARE THIS POST