i Met Her Online And She Immediately Told Me She Loves Me

This is the image “Clety” sent me. At least this is who the person I chatted with claims is their image.

My friend, I’ll call him Nick even though it’s not his real name, lives in one of those sprawling retirement villages in southern Florida. He’s often sending me photos of nubile and often scantly clothed women. Excitedly telling me in the message that this one (like the previous three or four) is the woman for him.

I try to explain to him that, not only is the photo not of the person he’s texting with, the person doesn’t live where they say they do.

Notice I say ‘’they” — not because I’m trying to be politically correct. But because, for all “Nick” knows, he may be talking to a man. Man or woman, there’s a good chance the person is in Ghana.

I say that with some degree of certainty because in Ghana there are computer banks where workers reach out to lonely men from developed nations. They send them ‘’their” photo. They profess their love. And then, they ask for money.

In 2013, Vice News visited one of these centers in Ghana and documented the work they do. You can see that story here.

I asked Nick if they ever asked for money. “Not at first,” he replied. “Let me guess,” I said. “It’s usually on the fifth call that…