Winnipeg woman speaking out after alleged romance scam

A Winnipeg woman has come forward after alleging she was the victim of a romance scam. According to the woman, she engaged in daily conversations with a man for six weeks before becoming convinced they had formed a romantic connection. At the six-week mark, the man reportedly asked for exclusivity in their relationship, and the woman believed he was genuine.

The man claimed to own a cybersecurity company and had recently relocated to Winnipeg, although he was allegedly on a business trip in Edmonton at the time. The woman decided to meet him in Toronto and later return to Winnipeg with him.

Upon meeting, the woman says she was impressed by the man's demeanor, describing him as loving, generous, and protective. He even shared photos of a broken gym locker he claimed had been stolen. The woman later claims he asked to use her credit card to rent a vehicle in Toronto. After returning to Winnipeg, the woman says his behavior changed dramatically, becoming aggressive and volatile.

She alleges he continued to request money from her, ultimately transferring nearly $2,700 to him. She also claims he attempted to charge nearly $15,000 to her credit card, which she managed to reverse.

The woman reported the incident to the Winnipeg Police Service, though a spokesperson for the force declined to provide specific details, stating the investigation is ongoing. She has shared her story publicly in an attempt to warn others about romance scams. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that romance scams often target dating apps, social media, and online gaming chatrooms.

Jeff Horncastle, a client and communications outreach officer for the centre, states that scammers invest significant time in building trust before requesting money or personal information. He warns that such scams can have severe financial and emotional consequences. In the first six months of 2026, $23 million in losses were reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre due to romance and relationship scams, compared to $63 million in all of 2025.