More than fifty young women fell for a scam that relied on a convincing online persona. The story centers on a fraudster who posed as a boy and carried on long, intimate letter exchanges with victims gathered through a private Telegram channel. The con was simple on the surface: create a believable romantic narrative, gain trust, and then leap to financial asks.
A private investigator, hired by relatives of one of the women, began to uncover the pattern. Subtle red flags emerged when a supposed new boyfriend requested money and other proofs of devotion. Those signals grew louder as the investigator followed the trail across social media and private messages. The scam gained momentum because the predator used timing and emotional leverage to prompt generosity, especially during moments that felt like a crisis or a plea to help a perceived cause.
The ringleader used the name Gore in early communications on Instagram. Gore appeared friendly, flirtatious, and openly affectionate, eventually claiming to have a sister named Anna who could join the girls in person. In reality, Gore never showed up for planned meetings and would vanish as soon as suspicion started to rise. When the women pressed for proofs of legitimacy, Gore’s communications would fade, only to reappear when a new opportunity to extract funds arose.
Behind the romance, the scammer presented himself as the owner of an online clothing business and portrayed a warm, generous motive. He asked for financial help to support the disabled, soldiers, and those in urgent need. Some victims were coaxed into transferring money or providing resources under the guise of charitable support. In a troubling twist, a number of individuals who believed they were helping also found themselves working remotely for the scammer, providing free labor such as taking product photos or designing clothing for the store.
The total impact extended beyond a single case. One Russian participant disclosed a debt of several million rubles tied to the online romance scheme. The pattern included a mix of emotional manipulation, selective storytelling, and a carefully constructed online persona designed to evoke sympathy and a quick, decisive response from victims.
Experts who study online dating scams emphasize caution in distinguishing genuine affection from calculated tactics. They advise users to verify identities, request verifiable contact information, and avoid sending money to people who have not met in person or who press for rapid financial commitments. Personal safety and careful financial decisions should always take priority when navigating digital dating spaces. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the ease with which trust can be exploited in the name of love.