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Richard Dawson is a notorious romance scammer who targeted vulnerable individuals through online dating platforms and social media. His scams involved creating fake profiles, often posing as a U.S. Army general stationed overseas, to gain the trust of his victims and manipulate them into sending money.
Dawson’s operations were extensive, with victims spanning across various states including Rhode Island, Tennessee, North Carolina, California, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas, Idaho, and South Dakota. The scam often involved Dawson building a romantic connection with the victims, many of whom were elderly and living alone. He would then fabricate urgent financial needs, such as medical emergencies or travel expenses, to persuade these individuals to transfer funds.
The scale of Dawson’s scam was significant. In one case, an Arizona woman lost $334,000, leaving her without sufficient funds for basic needs such as food and bills. Another victim in Rhode Island was on the verge of sending an additional $240,000 after already losing $60,000, but her bank intervened and reported the suspicious activity to the authorities.
Dawson’s fraudulent activities involved not just soliciting funds but also managing the logistics of receiving and laundering the money. His accomplice, Fola Alabi, pleaded guilty to related charges, including conspiracy and money laundering. Alabi controlled bank accounts where the scammed money was deposited and then quickly withdrawn or transferred to avoid detection.
The impact of Dawson’s scams was not only financial but also emotional, leaving victims with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and guilt. The Federal Trade Commission has highlighted the increasing prevalence of romance scams, with reported losses reaching record levels and a significant rise in the use of gift cards and cryptocurrency for payments.