Pamela Moore is 66 years old. She is the mother and grandmother of many children, and, aside from one speeding ticket from 2005, has no criminal record. No one would expect to find her name mentioned in a criminal investigation – certainly not a federal one – which made her appearance in a Southern District of Ohio press release even more surprising.
The press release, published on Aug. 27, 2024 announced that Moore had been sentenced to 24 months in prison for laundering money for online romance scammers, who obtained the cash from victims nationwide.
A romance scammer is a person who creates a fake online identity to deceive potential victims into developing romantic feelings, with the intention of exploiting them for money or personal gain.
According to court documents, between 2020 and 2023, Moore’s multiple personal and business bank accounts received more than $8 million in criminally derived funds. Investigators with the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Moore had personally received approximately $1.7 million of the funds, which she “used or converted to Bitcoin at the direction of the scammers.”
But this short press release from last summer tells only part of the story. The crimes of Pamela Moore – and how she came to commit them – illuminate the world of online romance scams, a billion-dollar industry that preys on vulnerable people worldwide.
Who is Pamela Moore?
Pamela Sue Quehl, later known as Pamela Moore, was married to Lawrence E. Moore Jr. for 37 years. They tied the knot on May 23, 1978, and spent some of their life together in a quiet home east of Cincinnati in Clermont County. Their modest house, a 3-bed, 1-bath residence nestled on a half-acre lot, bordered a golf course and a lush county park. Pamela’s life with Lawrence was shaped by love and family, and they raised three children together.
Lawrence, known to many as “Larry,” was a beloved husband and father, known for his giving nature and his infectious warmth. He passed away on Oct. 29, 2015, at the age of 61.
In his obituary, his niece wrote that his “warm hugs, a contagious laugh, and a beautiful singing voice will be missed.”
Though Moore was not yet in her 60s when she lost her husband, she was still close to an age group that often faces heightened vulnerability to such profound losses, as older adults – particularly women – disproportionately experience widowhood.
Moore, like many others, found herself caught in the dangerous web of online scammers. Though the specifics of how they targeted her remain unclear, it is evident that, like many victims, she became vulnerable to their deceptive tactics.
“Moore did not initially intend to engage in criminal activity, but instead was hoping to find companionship online,” the court documents say.
The court records state that Moore herself fell victim to the ploy, initially losing “six figures” to the same unidentified scammers she later abetted, and “deluded herself” into thinking their relationship was genuine.
Moore’s crime
In August 2024, after an 11-month investigation, Moore was sentenced to 24 months in prison for laundering more than $8 million for online romance scammers between 2020 and 2023. She was ordered to begin serving her sentence on Dec. 2, 2024, but in November a judge granted a motion to extend Moore’s surrender date until April 1, 2025.
Though repeatedly emailed by CityBeat to schedule an interview, Lauri Tekulve, Moore’s attorney, said her client “is not interested in speaking” with the press.
Moore’s daughter Kimberly Moore, though initially interested when contacted by CityBeat, eventually stopped responding to our requests to speak on the record.
Records show that Moore set up a fraudulent shell company, PSM Custom Designs and Jewelries, to facilitate the scam. Established on Oct. 20, 2020, the LLC was purportedly created to buy and sell jewelry and custom-designed shirts. The company funneled money to unnamed romance scammers, as indicated in court documents. Through this company, Moore opened business accounts with PNC, JP Morgan Chase and other banks, which were used to move funds.
“Moore used as many as 20 banks and cryptocurrency exchanges,” wrote Kyle Brice, Jeffrey Laber and Chris O’Hagan, special agents with the Cincinnati IRS Criminal Investigation Division, in an emailed response to questions from CityBeat.
“This investigation involved dozens of bank accounts. There were personal checking and savings accounts, as well as business accounts in a shell company that Moore set up, at the direction of the scammers,” the investigators said. “The investigation involved unraveling many transfers among all the accounts. We also interviewed victims whose money Moore had received in these accounts.”
In one instance, according to court records, Moore received half a million dollars from an entity referred to as the “Deborah Bolner Prost Trust.” The money first appeared in the business account of her shell company. It was then transferred to her personal account and eventually wired to the Gemini Trust Company, an online cryptocurrency exchange. The cash was converted to Bitcoin and transferred to virtual wallets controlled overseas.
The role of crypto
Cryptocurrency, or “crypto,” is a digital currency that operates on a public ledger called a blockchain. The currency is decentralized, meaning funds are not controlled or protected by a central bank or government. Crypto has become an essential tool for romance scammers to secure money stolen from their victims.
Nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2022, with $1.3 billion in reported losses. Cryptocurrency and bank wire transfers were the most common methods people used to send money to romance scammers, together accounting for over 60% of those reported losses.
These crypto trading schemes, known as non-compliant bitcoin exchanges, do not adhere to legal regulations and standards, especially those regarding verification of user identities or monitoring suspicious activity. This potentially allows criminals to use the platform for illegal activities they’d rather not have traced, such as money laundering.
“Most of the world’s banks have to comply with U.S. court orders or they’d risk being cut off from doing business with American banks, which is crippling,” the special agents told CityBeat.
While crypto transactions occur outside the traditional banking system, the digital currency is usually ultimately converted back to normal currency by cyber currency exchanges. However, there are many cyber currency exchanges based overseas that do not have to comply with U.S. law enforcement.
“There are a good many of these exchanges that operate in countries that will not readily comply with a United States court order. Once crypto reaches accounts controlled by such an exchange, there is virtually no way for U.S. law enforcement to find out who owns the account and who received the laundered fraud proceeds,” the IRS agents explained.
The victims of the scam
According to court records, individuals from across the country suffered financial losses due to the online romance scammers Moore ultimately assisted. The court ordered Moore to pay $1,680,900 in restitution as part of her sentence.
Of the five victims listed in court documents related to the case, only one responded when contacted by CityBeat, denying a request for an interview.
“I don’t want to relive it,” she said.
One victim, Deborah Bolner Prost of San Antonio, Texas, lost $975,000 to the romance scammers, with her money being laundered through Moore. Prost is the president of Prost Marketing, a marketing and management-consulting company.
Catherine Miller, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, lost $195,000 to the scammers. Miller’s address is associated with the now-dissolved voluntarism and grantmaking foundation Pietrasiuk Foundation Inc., where, in its IRS forms, she is listed as president.
Carol Gingery of San Diego, California, lost $55,900, according to court records. Gingery is a retiree who formerly worked at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
Barbara Sichory, who lives in Chicago, lost $25,000 as part of the scam.
Boston-based sustainable agriculture company Kula Bio is the only corporation listed as a victim in the court records. The business reportedly lost $430,000 to the romance scammers Moore worked with, but it is unclear how the company became associated with Moore.
Understanding romance scams
Romance scams exploit emotions and vulnerability for financial gain. Scammers build relationships with victims under the guise of romantic interest, ultimately manipulating them into sending money or providing personal information. While these scams are often associated with the digital age, their origins trace back to schemes like “mail-order brides,” where fraudsters corresponded by mail, eventually requesting funds for trips that never happened.
The internet, especially social media and dating apps that allow us to connect with others easily across the globe, has amplified the reach and number of these schemes, allowing criminals to target victims worldwide.
“Romance scams and other cyber fraud schemes can take place anywhere there is an internet connection,” the IRS told CityBeat.
As the number of victims continues to rise, fueled in part by the increasing accessibility for communication and companionship online, some individuals are taking action to fight back against these fraudulent schemes. Little do the scammers know, some people dedicate time and effort specifically to mess with scammers, a phenomenon known as “scambaiting.”
One of these people, a YouTuber known by her online alias of “Annie,” has multiple characters lurking in public forums, social media sites and comment sections across the internet, waiting for scammers to reach out and get caught in her trap. On Annie’s YouTube channel, Romance Scammers And Online Scams, she exposes the inner workings of these scams through undercover investigations, recorded conversations with scammers and live interviews with victims and fellow scambaiters.
“I have several girls – characters – that I use for scambaiting: older or middle-aged ladies who talk to these scammers so that you can see how the scams operate,” she explains in her YouTube introduction video. “Real victims have told their own stories to help prevent people just like you from falling victim to these romance scammers.”
For over two decades, Annie has worked in computer education and tech support, which evolved into raising awareness about online safety. This journey led to creating an anti-scam blog, Keep Safe on The Net, and eventually expanding into YouTube and social media to combat scammers directly.
Scammers commonly find victims through dating websites and social media platforms. Annie comments on public posts through profiles made to look like anyone’s grandma, waiting for scammers to reach out to the innocent-looking profile and purposely positioning herself as an ideal target.
Once contact is established with a potential victim, scammers employ a variety of tactics to manipulate their targets, such as love bombing, emotional manipulation and gradually grooming victims. Some scammers build trust over time before requesting financial help. Others may test the waters first with small requests, such as asking for gift cards.
The FTC found that, across 8,070 romance scam reports, romance scammers most often lied about themselves or a loved one being hurt, sick or imprisoned; claimed they could invest money on the victim’s behalf; pretended to be in the military or working on an oil rig far from the victim; or needed assistance with a delivery.
“They’ll start telling you that they’re going to get paid when the contract finishes, and then that’s when [they say] they can’t access their bank account, because they’re on an oil rig,” Annie said in an interview with CityBeat.
Annie has seen these practices used all the time throughout her experiences scambaiting.
“The scammers use a combination of, obviously, love bombing, telling you how amazingly wonderful you are and they love you, usually immediately after they’ve asked you for money.”
In an episode of one of her video series, where she lures a potential scammer named Luis, Annie reads aloud a “good morning” text sent to her by the scammer.
“Good morning, my love. May God’s grace shine upon you today, guiding every step you take. May you find strength and peace in His presence, and may His blessings fill your day with joy and purpose. Amen,” the text read, followed by 22 heart emojis and four prayer hand emojis.
These techniques ensure the scammer maintains control over the interaction, keeping the victim emotionally dependent and willing to comply.
But once people realize that the person they are speaking with may not be who they say they are, the scammers do not hesitate to verbally abuse, manipulate or draw fake sympathy from the victim.
“As soon as victims start putting up resistance, then they turn on the victims,” Annie noted.
In a video where Annie discusses a viewer’s scambaiting attempts, the texts between the scambaiter and scammer reveal a rapid descent into hostility once the scambaiter called out the scammer for randomly adding them and immediately expressing a desire to get to know the person.
“Say your last word then you will be gone!!!” the scammer said.
The scammer even went as far as to request a photo from the scambaiter, calling the person an “old fool,” a “bastard” and personally attacking the scambaiter’s sick mother.
While these tactics are designed to prey on anyone, certain individuals are more susceptible due to emotional or social vulnerabilities. Annie specifically highlights these demographics, which are also often noted by other federal enforcement agencies:
- Older adults: There are a multitude of scammers that exploit the loneliness and lack of tech fluency in this group. “They’re more likely to be divorced, they’re more likely to have money available because their children have left home, so have their savings readily accessible, and be willing to access them,” Annie explained.
- Abuse survivors: Victims with a history of giving in to bullies or narcissists are especially vulnerable, as scammers use similar manipulative tactics.
- Widowed or divorced individuals: These people often have similar experiences to older adults and abuse survivors.
- People experiencing addiction: Dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to the effects of drugs of abuse and potentially instrumental in triggering the neurobiological changes associated with addiction, is released during social interactions and conversations such as these. Those who may be susceptible to addiction may find themselves experiencing similar positive emotions and associating the scam with high dopamine levels.
These vulnerabilities create the perfect environment for scammers to exploit. For instance, older adults may be particularly susceptible to love bombing, as they may not receive much attention or affection in their daily lives. Similarly, abuse survivors, who have experienced manipulation and control, may find themselves unknowingly falling into the same patterns with a scammer.
“If nobody’s ever said, ‘How are you this morning, honey? Did you have a good night?’ the victims see that as somebody that cares about them, because nobody ever has,” Annie explained.
Moore’s background matches that of other women who were manipulated by online scammers.
“Scammers strategically target recently widowed or divorced seniors due to their vulnerabilities and access to cash,” wrote the Department of Homeland Security in their August report on the rise of romance scams.
Romance scams frequently intersect with financial crimes such as money laundering. Scammers often recruit unsuspecting victims as “money mules” to transfer illicit funds.
The FBI defines a money mule as someone moving money at the direction of another person, often receiving a commission for their service believing they have a trusting and/or romantic relationship with the scammer.
This creates an additional layer of risk, as victims unknowingly facilitate criminal activity.
“The money mules fall into two camps. There are those that are willing accomplices … And then there’s the middle ground, which tends to be either students or people who are newly integrated to the state,” Annie said.
The FBI states that unwitting or unknowing money mules – individuals unaware they are part of a larger scheme – are often targeted through online romance scams or fraudulent job offers. These individuals may be asked to use their personal bank account, or even open a new one in their name, to receive money from someone they’ve never met in person. They may be instructed to keep a portion of the money they transfer, often motivated by trust in the supposed authenticity of their romance or job position.
However, if a money mule ignores obvious red flags or acts willfully blind to their involvement, or if they are aware of their role and actively participate regardless, they are considered “witting” and “complicit,” respectively. Given Moore’s advancement from victim to fellow perpetrator, she could potentially be considered unwitting or complicit, but her level of awareness of the scam is unknown at this time.
IRS agents have confirmed that perpetrators range from large, organized networks to small, independent operators. Offshore groups in countries such as Nigeria and other parts of West Africa have been documented as being involved in these schemes.
“Almost all the scammers that I personally deal with [are] romance scams based in Nigeria. I think that the scammers are doing a huge disservice to their country and to the citizens of Nigeria,” Annie said.
Legal landscape and consequences
Online romance scams and associated money laundering crimes carry severe legal consequences under U.S. federal law and state statutes.
Individuals who knowingly engage in fraud or facilitate the movement of illicit funds can face charges such as wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. Federal penalties for these offenses often include extensive prison sentences – up to 20 years for wire fraud and money laundering – along with substantial fines.
In Moore’s case, her role as a money mule involved transferring stolen funds through those various accounts, allowing scammers to obscure their trail and position Moore as their scapegoat.
Federal law does not always distinguish between intentional accessorizing actions and actions of those coerced into participation, complicating the legal proceedings.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Justice, have intensified efforts to prosecute individuals involved in romance scams, with international cooperation being a key component. Due to many of these schemes’ overseas origins, collaboration with organizations like the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is crucial for tracking and dismantling global networks.
However, the complexity and variability of these scams require tailored enforcement solutions.
“There are large, well-organized criminal networks who engage in online fraud schemes. There are also smaller, less sophisticated schemes that may be one-person operations,” the IRS explained to CityBeat.
For victims of romance scams, the repercussions can extend far beyond financial loss. Those unknowingly drawn into schemes as facilitators or money mules may also face criminal charges, despite being manipulated. Victims who act as intermediaries to transfer funds, even under false pretenses, can be prosecuted for aiding and abetting money laundering, just like Moore.
Moore’s case is one that falls in this legal gray area. Court records indicate that she believed her actions were helping someone she trusted, a common tactic used by scammers to exploit their victims’ emotional vulnerabilities. Despite being a victim herself – losing significant sums of her own money – Moore’s involvement in laundering for the scammers resulted in federal charges.
Politics and prevention efforts
While law enforcement focuses on prosecuting offenders and dismantling criminal networks, the fight against romance scams also extends to the political and preventative arenas. Politicians and elected officials have both attempted to address the growing issue of romance scams in their communities.
California Congressman David Valadao introduced the Online Dating Safety Act on Oct. 30, 2023, which mandates online dating service providers to notify users of potential fraud if they’ve received messages from banned users on the platform. As of Sept. 24, 2024, the Senate has received the bill from the House, read it twice and referred it to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for further review.
On Feb. 14, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched an awareness campaign to educate the public about digital romance scams. At the same time, the Department of Justice established the Money Mule Initiative, which aims to raise awareness about money mules, how they receive money from fraud victims and how to prevent people from falling victim to such schemes.
Locally, former Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers established the Elder Justice Unit in 2023, aimed specifically at addressing crimes targeting elderly residents of Cincinnati.
“All of us have aging parents, we all want them to be safe, and there’s nothing worse than being taken advantage of when you know that they’re vulnerable,” said Powers in the promotional video for the unit.
Newly-elected Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich, who made history as the first Democratic prosecutor in Hamilton County in 92 years and succeeded Powers, was asked by CityBeat about her plans for continuing the Elder Justice Unit and her perspective on the growing issue of romance scams.
According to Pillich, the unit visited places where senior citizens would congregate, such as retirement homes, senior citizen centers and community buildings, to give presentations about what the scams could look like and general tips regarding keeping personal information safe online. However, Pillich says that further details about the unit were not provided in her transition paperwork.
“As a prosecutor, I do want to be very involved in our community, in terms of crime prevention, and certainly protecting our seniors – and frankly, everyone else – against these scams is going to be part of that. So, I look forward to being able to either continue or expand upon what was started in 2023,” she told CityBeat.
For Pillich, the issue of scams that target elderly people hits close to home.
Pillich shared that she personally knows someone who fell victim to a scam while in a vulnerable situation. The person, dealing with a very ill family member, received a call about a computer issue, which she misunderstood. In her distress, she unknowingly gave out her bank account number to the scammer.
“People have different vulnerabilities at different times in their life, particularly for our seniors when technology is changing for them. They are not keeping up with all the new technologies. It’s easy for them to get trapped,” Pillich added.
Protecting yourself and loved ones
Romance scams, as they shift with technological advancements and ongoing digital education, still cause emotional and financial devastation for thousands of individuals every year. The path to recovery for the victims of these scams can be convoluted or ultimately fruitless, further adding to the ongoing damage.
Annie and the IRS agents, as well as other resources such as the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, all recommend familiarizing yourself with the red flags of scammers early – knowing how to respond can make all the difference in preventing these scams from spiraling out of control.
- Across the internet, be wary of anyone who asks for sensitive personal details like your Social Security number, bank account or credit card information – especially if you are not completely certain of their legitimacy. A reputable person or institution would never need that level of information right away.
- Always double-check website URLs and verify the identity of the person you are speaking with. A good way to verify someone’s digital identity is to perform a reverse image search to check if the person’s photo is being used elsewhere. Scammers often use stolen photos to create fake profiles.
- When talking to someone, if a conversation with someone seems too perfect or quickly rushes to move conversations off dating platforms, social media or call center lines, that’s a major red flag. Scammers often try to establish a private line of communication to avoid detection by platform securities, which makes it harder to track communication logs later on.
- Take your time to get to know the person and ask plenty of questions. If they evade certain topics or become defensive, it’s time to be suspicious.
- Love bombing is a tactic used to manipulate victims emotionally. If someone quickly starts showering you with compliments or professing love, but only after a brief interaction, be cautious.
- If someone promises to meet in person but constantly comes up with excuses to delay, even after months of communication, you have cause for concern. A legitimate person would eventually make plans to meet if they were truly interested.
Annie recommends an easy way to check if someone you’re speaking to online is genuinely listening or if they’re just following a scam script: flip the script yourself.
“If you’re not sure about the person that you’re talking to online, say something ridiculous to them and see if they notice or not,” she said. “If they don’t notice, it means they’re not really reading what you’re saying – they’re just working their way down the list with standard questions and answers. You might say something like, ‘Oh, I just jumped off the curtain rod and broke my ankles,’ and they’ll respond with something like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s amazing,’ because that’s what’s next in the script.”
If you suspect you are being targeted by a scammer, the FBI and DHS recommends immediately taking these steps:
- Stop communication immediately with the suspected scammer. Do not respond to their messages or calls. If the individual tries to keep you away from friends or family, or asks for money while also urging you not to tell anyone, that’s a clear sign of manipulation. If possible, screenshot message logs and save them to keep for evidence.
- Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement right away. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is a good starting point for filing a report.
- If you suspect that you or someone you know has already fallen victim to a scam, contact your local law enforcement or the IRS Criminal Investigation Field Office.
- If you’ve been asked to send money or personal details to someone you’ve met only online, do not do it. No legitimate person would ask for money this way. If you’ve already shared any sensitive information, monitor your bank accounts, credit cards and other financial records for any unauthorized transactions.
- If you are unsure whether you are dealing with a scam, talk to trusted friends or family members for a second opinion.
Public education is critical. Stay informed about current online scams and share that knowledge with others. Educational resources outlining steps to protect oneself and others from fraud and scams can be found through the Ohio Attorney General. They also offer specific advice for caregivers of elderly individuals. Local community centers and senior living facilities often host presentations about online scams.
If you are the child, friend, or neighbor of an elderly person who may be at risk, check in on them regularly to ensure they are aware of these scams. Be aware about the information they share online and take steps to make they understand the importance of protecting their personal details.
Necessary ongoing vigilance
The August press release on Moore’s indictment could lead some to believe the 66-year-old Cincinnatian is a criminal mastermind, but her story is just one among the tens of thousands of individuals who fall victim to digital scams specifically designed to prey on vulnerable populations.
While prevention efforts have increased from law enforcement, politicians and even vigilantes, the constant evolution of technology and security concerns leaves many scrambling to protect themselves and their loved ones – not only from blindsiding financial losses, but also serious legal consequences.
Annie warns vulnerable targets that online romance scams are more sophisticated than ever, but scammers’ core tactic gets at the heart of an age-old natural desire. One that predates technology.
“It doesn’t take long for most scammers to start telling you how much they love you,” Annie cautions on her YouTube channel, showing screenshots of messages she’s received from a romance scammer:
“If I were with you tonight, I’d hold you close, take in your beauty, and surround you with sweet love. Goodnight my cupcake.”
This story is featured in CityBeat’s Jan. 22 print edition.
This article appears in Jan 22 – Feb 4, 2025.