Port Richey - David Cruz, 70, of Pasco County, said what started as a search for companionship online turned into financial and emotional devastation.

Earlier this year, Cruz accepted a Facebook friend request from someone identifying herself as "Bonnie Fleck," an interior decorator from Indianapolis. Their online chats soon evolved into phone calls and even what appeared to be video chats -- later discovered to be AI-generated.

Cruz says "Bonnie" claimed she had been offered work in Australia but needed money for paperwork. Believing her, he dipped into his emergency home equity loan, sending her $5,000 -- then more -- eventually wiring a total of $47,000, including transfers through Bitcoin.

When the requests for money escalated, Cruz reported the situation to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Investigators determined the account was connected to Nigeria, not Indiana.

What he's saying:

"At 70 years old and only having a very low income in Social Security, I felt I was going to lose everything that I have, that I worked my whole life for," Cruz said.

He described the emotional toll as equally painful:

His advice to others: "If you start to feel something is not right, go with your gut. Don't go just with your heart. Because your heart may be lying to you."

Why you should care:

Law enforcement agencies warn romance scams are on the rise, particularly targeting older adults who may be lonely or vulnerable. Victims often lose their life savings, and the money is difficult to recover once it's sent, especially through cryptocurrency.

Authorities recommend a few key steps to avoid falling victim to romance scams: