BRADENTON, FL – In a tale that underscores the vulnerabilities of online romance, a 77-year-old widower from Bradenton found himself ensnared in a web of deceit that cost him more than $100,000. The man, seeking companionship after the loss of his spouse, turned to Facebook to connect with others. It was there that he met someone he believed to be a young woman named Julia, supposedly from the United Kingdom.
For eight months, the two exchanged heartfelt messages daily, forging what he thought was a genuine relationship. The man, captivated by the prospect of new love, even invited Julia to join him in the United States. However, the dream quickly unraveled when Julia claimed she needed financial assistance to settle a debt with someone in Minnesota.
Believing he was helping the woman he loved, the man began wiring funds. The transactions continued until his family intervened during a refinancing of his home, suspecting something was amiss. Their concerns prompted them to contact local authorities, setting in motion an investigation by the Bradenton Police Department’s elder fraud unit.
Detective Kula spearheaded the five-month inquiry, which eventually led him to Minnesota. There, he uncovered the truth: Julia was a fabrication, an identity assumed by 26-year-old Benjamin Yaka. The photos used by Yaka were stolen from an unsuspecting woman in West Virginia, and his bank account was traced as the recipient of the funds.
“This is a sophisticated operation. These scammers are like actors, crafting personas that can emotionally manipulate their victims,” Detective Kula explained. He noted that this case is just one of many, with seniors in Bradenton alone losing over $3 million to similar schemes this year.
The investigation also led to the arrest of Yaka’s brother, who was implicated in a separate scam involving another victim. Both men are set to be extradited to Manatee County to face charges related to their fraudulent activities.
As authorities work to combat such crimes, they urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious online interactions. The Bradenton Police Department continues to prioritize these cases, determined to bring perpetrators to justice.