Elderly manipulation

Question

My father has an elderly friend that we believe is being manipulated by foreigners for money in a promise for a relationship. He might have spent tens of thousands if not hundreds to help a female make it to America for a relationship. This female seems to have multiple medical or other problems that makes it so she is unable to meet him. He has never been able to meet her face-to-face, it is always conversations on the phone.

Vincent J. Bernabei · Answer

This is a common scam and is considered elder financial abuse, most likely.  You may call local law enforcement or  adult protective services to report your concerns.  You can also alert your father's friend's bank to be on the lookout for suspicious, large transactions.  If your father's friend is not able to handle his financial affairs, the court may appoint a conservator to protect him from further financial abuse.

Joanne Reisman · Answer

The best thing you can do is cut this off now by alerting authorities.   I agree with Mr. Bernabei as to his excellent suggestions concerning alerting authorities and notifying this man's bank.  Someone in this man's family needs to be alerted so they can take steps to open a conservatorship.  These scams usually involve someone in a foreign country using fake phone numbers that look like US numbers so that once the money is gone it is very hard to secure a prosecution much less get any money back.  But sometimes the scams are run from the US and people can be apprehended and prosecuted.

Q: Elderly manipulation