A Mesa woman has lost her home and life savings after falling victim to an online romance scam involving a scammer posing as a U.S. Naval officer.

The victim, a 69-year-old retiree named Susan, met the individual (who called himself Stephen) online. He claimed to be a military officer stationed on a base in Iraq. The two never spoke on the phone, as he said he lacked access to one due to his deployment.

Over time, the scammer built trust and convinced Susan to send money repeatedly under various pretenses related to their supposed future together. The requests escalated to the point where she was persuaded to sell her house to fund the relationship and related needs.

Susan only realized she had been scammed when she discussed the ongoing money requests with her financial advisor while attempting to secure a car loan. By then, it was too late—she had lost her home, her entire life savings, and now lives in a small apartment, struggling to cover basic bills.

Phoenix real estate agent Doug Hopkins noted in the report that romance scams targeting seniors and leading to home sales are becoming increasingly common.

Authorities recommend that family members keep a close eye on loved ones who are making major financial decisions, especially if they involve online relationships. Anyone who suspects they or someone they know is being targeted should report it immediately to the Arizona Attorney General’s office.
Susan decided to share her story publicly in hopes of warning others and preventing them from experiencing similar devastating losses.

Original reporting by azfamily.com (3TV/CBS 5), published January 14, 2026.