Online dating fraud left 85-year-old bankrupt, cops say
The 85-year-old Century Village man was looking for companionship after his wife died, so he posted a profile on an online dating site — and ended up bankrupt.
The woman John Berman met online in April 2013 was arrested Thursday, accused of defrauding Berman of more than $300,000, police said.
She introduced herself as Anna Miller, but shewas really Nancy Guy, 49, of Pompano Beach. Police say she vanished after Berman’s son filed a police report in November 2015.
Investigators caught up to her Thursday. Police believe Guy may have victimized others and are hoping they will come forward, said Capt. Christopher Sengelmann, of the Pembroke Pines Police Department.
Guy told Berman she needed money for her dressmaking business and promised to pay him back.
But instead, she offered excuses, such as she had been diagnosed with cancer, or her warehouse was flooded and destroyed $400,000 of merchandise, according to a police report.
When Berman ran out of money, he filed for bankruptcy and turned to his son for help, the report said.
“Once the victim’s son was made aware of his father’s pending bankruptcy, the police were alerted and an investigation ensued,” Sengelmann said.
After police figured out Guy’s true identity, they provided Berman with a photo lineup.
Berman identified Guy as the woman he knew as Anna Miller.
There was no evidence that she owned a dress-making business, police said.
Investigators urge anyone who has had contact with Guy to contact Detective Thomas Moran at 954-431-2200.