Money Crimes with Nicole Lapin - INTERVIEW: Pig Butchering with Jacqueline Crenshaw

Episode Date: August 28, 2025

Jacqueline Crenshaw was looking for companionship when she joined a dating app in 2023. Over the next few months, a man she knew as Brandon showered her with attention, gifts, and promises of a shared future before persuading her to invest her life savings, retirement funds, and even her home equity into a cryptocurrency platform. But the whole relationship was part of a scheme known as “pig butchering,” a method of fraud where scammers build a relationship with victims to gain their trust and then drain them of their assets. And by the time the truth emerged, Jacqueline had lost around a million dollars. Scams, Money, & Murder is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Scams, Money, & Murder! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey there, it's Nicole Labman, host of the Crimehouse Original scams, money, and murder. If you are loving this show, you don't want to miss our fellow crimehouse original podcast, conspiracy theories, cults, and crimes. Every Wednesday, you'll get to explore the true stories behind the world's most shocking crimes, deadly ideologies, and secret plots, from mass suicides and political assassinations to secret government experiments and UFO cults. Follow conspiracy theories, cults, and crimes now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. And for ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. This is Crime House. I guess I felt like he gained my trust and I gained his trust, but why would somebody send you 100,000,

check, right? Their job is to separate people from their money, and that is it. Once it went to that e-wallet, the money was gone. And I'm left holding the bag. As they say, money makes the world go round. What many don't talk about is the time it made people's worlds come to a screeching halt, whether it's greed, desperation, or or a thirst for power, money can make even the most unassuming people do unthinkable things. And sometimes, those acts can be deadly. This is scams, money, and murder, a crimehouse original. I'm your host, Nicole Lapin.

Every Thursday, we alternate between covering infamous money-motivated crimes and gripping interviews with the experts or those who were directly involved themselves. Crimehouse exists because of you. please rate, review, and follow scams, money, and murder wherever you get your podcasts. And for early ad-free access and bonus content, subscribe to Crimehouse Plus on Apple Podcasts. might be in a new town altogether. That's the powerful backing of Amex. Terms and conditions apply.

Learn more at amex.ca.ca slash y-Amex. One and sip, and two and sip, and three and sip. Oh, hey, I'm just sipping Tim's all-new protein ice latte. Starting at 17 grams per medium latte, Tim's new protein lattes, Protein without all the work at participating restaurants in Canada. Pig butchering is a highly sophisticated and devastating scam that combines romance and investment fraud. It's a long con, often lasting months where scammers groom their targets by building emotional and psychological trust.

Once the victim is emotionally invested, the scammer introduces a fake crypto or investment opportunity promising huge returns. The scam gets its unusual name from the way Fronsters fatten up their victims with affection and false hope before, quote-unquote, slaughtering them by taking all their money. Today we're talking to Jacqueline Crenshaw, who lost around a million dollars to a pig-buttering scam after meeting a man on a dating app. Well, Jackie, thank you so much for joining us. Yes. I actually wanted to. I just had a therapy session, so I'm good. Okay. That was quite a sigh. grateful that you're joining us to talk about pig butchering scams because they're particularly devastating, not just for the financial part of it, but glad you just had therapy for the

emotional part of it as well. Also, the romance component, which was your experience. So can we just start at the beginning? Can you talk me through what led you to start thinking about online dating in 2023? So one of my very good friends. had mentioned it to me and I had never been on a dating site. So she talked about another mutual friend that had some success and I was still kind of reluctant and this went on for like two or three weeks. And then she's like, I'm going to help you, you know, make a profile. And this particular dating site was called BLK, which I guess it catered to African-American dating.

So she helped me set up the profile and just looking to meet someone. And I think it only took like a day or two. There was a couple of people that had responded. And this one particular picture that I saw, I'm like, wow, he has really pretty eyes. And I think later that day he responded back and, you know, we start talking. He talked about how he was. a widower, he had two boys, and this started in late May of 2023. So, you know, we had came out of COVID, and he had been home with the kids for a couple of years. He was just

looking for someone to meet. And when you started talking, obviously it's on BLK, and that's considered talking to somebody on the platform. But your communication then shifted off the platform. Can you tell me more about that? Of course, he's asked for phone number and like email. We can talk off of the platform. And that was probably after about five, six weeks, talked about meeting. He was saying, oh, let's get off the platform because he just only wanted to talk to me and had I talked to other people. And it sort of seemed like it was going in the way of a relationship. But one of the, it's probably a red flag, but I guess it doesn't matter now because of AI, wasn't able to physically see him or he had excuses of why I couldn't see his face.

And that could potentially feel a little suspicious, but you two were still getting to know each other. So when did things change into talking about finances? I think probably six weeks in, he started asking me about crypto. Did I know anything about it? And I started asking around because he was like, oh, you know, it has the potential to make all this money. And again, at first, I was reluctant to be like, no, I don't know anyone who does it or what it does. And he started explaining how while he was home with the kids, he was able to learn about it and really good good with it and how much money he made on it. But in the meantime, before you started to invest, it sounds like he was doing other things to take care of you. It got to the point where if I was hungry, he would have food delivered to my home.

I didn't think I was a lonely person, but it started with all the conversation, everything, like, oh, this person cares about me because they're sending me food and sending trinkets and things like that. So he's spoiling you a bit with gifts, with food, and then the conversations go back to crypto. So right at the time that I was going to get the money for the crypto, he's like, you know what? I'm going to send you a check for our future, and we can invest that. And I was like, well, why can't you do it? And he's like so busy, he wasn't able to do it and all these different things. And when you made the decision to invest, what did that look like? So I did first borrow $40,000 for my 401K.

And at the same time or a week later, I get a check in the mail for $100,000. I didn't believe it was real. and my best friend said, well, you know you have to go to the police. And I'm like, absolutely. So I do go to the police and I have the envelope with the woman's name from Vero Beach, Florida on it. And we tried to like Google and look her up and I couldn't really find anything. So this is moving really, really fast. Jackie, did you have any initial reservations about the intensity or speed of the relationship?

Or did you go all in? Were you just out of a relationship and looking for something serious? So you thought maybe this could be the one? I thought it could be the one. And it didn't seem that fast to me, but again, unbeknownst to me the phrase they use of love bombing, exactly what you want to hear. You're beautiful. I love you. We're going to have a life together.

It was a little fast. But I guess I felt like he gained my trust and I gained his trust. but why would somebody send you a $100,000 check, right? And the purpose of this $100,000 check is to invest it in crypto. So you deposit the check, and then what happened? So I deposited a check, but I still went to the police. And I said, I think that this could be fraud. They basically blow me off.

So then my girlfriend and I, we called the bank that issued the check. And they said, yeah, check was real. So I tried to look up the individual. She was from Vero Beach, Florida. It just had her name and it mentioned construction and he said he was in construction. So I figured, okay, maybe it's legit. But I let the check sit for at least three weeks and it did clear. So this individual wasn't like pressure me like the money back, money back.

It's just like, oh, you know, we'll get crypto and just live happily. after. And what's going on with your relationship with Brandon around this time? Shortly after that, he started sending listings in my area because he was supposedly from New York, but he was in Virginia and then was doing a job where he got a big contract in California. So he's sending a million-dollar homes in Connecticut. Got to have enough room for the boys. And if I question something, I felt like he was always a step ahead. And I did, I'll have to on record, think I was one of the sharper attacks in the box. So I feel like it happened to anyone. So what made you so suspicious if the check cleared? Why did you go to the police? Well, at first, when I went to them,

it hadn't cleared yet. And they, like I said, blew me off. And I was like, once we called the bank that issued the check and they said it was real, and I'm like, okay. And the whole time he's saying and it's real. He didn't know I went to the police, but that's a lot of money. Who just sends $100,000? So you just had a bad feeling about it? Initially, yes. And then when it cleared, did you feel like you could trust him again? Yeah, because I had a blowout with my tire and he's like, oh, just, you know, get a whole set of tires. Then my dryer broke and I got a new dryer. Then it was just slowly coaxing me to like, I think, $25,000. in one time to buy a transfer, buying crypto, and then send into an e-wallet.

Once it went to that e-wallet, the money was gone. All of my money, whatever money was gone to them. But I was getting false statements of this coin cluster that was sending the profits. Let's take a step back for a second. At this stage of your relationship, did you find it strange that you hadn't met this Brandon in person? I mean, it was a little strange, but speaking several times a day. And of course, he was plans to come and something would come up. And it was just day and day out working, talking to him.

And I would talk to my friend about it. And they would question it because at one point after the $40,000, I said to him, oh, I want to get my money back. I don't want to do this. there was a second person that was introduced as a broker. Now, this person actually gave me instructions on how to open these accounts and how to do the wire transfer for the crypto and all of that. So he sends me an email that I have to wait like 90 days for the cycle to end to be able to get my money back.

And you guys weren't just talking. You guys were praying together. You had this spiritual connection. Yes. That part, I think to me, was the deceit. I'm a spiritual person. I wouldn't say I'm overly religious. But yes, the praying part, he would pray. And he actually, I'm not going to say taught me how to pray. But from him, I would also pray. We'd pray for the kids, pray for work, pray for everything. And you can understand how if someone is using religion to deceit people. And I know it happens all the time. It would be daily. we started, oh, it's my turn, it's your turn. So it made you trust Brandon and also rely on some of his guidance around finances, it sounds like, especially when the police brushed you off. I'm sure there was some distressed in traditional institutions. Yes. So for the initial investment, you borrowed 40K from your 401k to invest. Yes. He was basically telling you there's a new

crypto thing, we can make a lot of money. I'm going to send you $100,000. It cleared. You trust me. I'm going to replace your washer, dryer. I'm going to send you food. I'm going to do all the things. And so you start investing $40,000 in crypto. It's still not the full amount that he sends you at this point. Correct. And I ended up probably at least $80,000. and sent back crypto, wire transfer to Bitcoin, to it being invested. So walk me through what the financial transactions were. So he says, I'm going to send you 100K. So you put your 40K and you still have 100K in the bank.

He's saying that he's putting more on top of what you put in. You're seeing it grow. Yes. And what happens next? So then I send back probably 80, $85,000 and that's also deposited into this fake account, which, again, he got the money back because I now realize if I hadn't gone to the police, that's like money laundering. And I've seen different instances of people being used, but that was the only time. So the rest of the time was my money. And all the while you're talking to Brandon, getting to know him better, but also his family, right?

He had, supposedly, the little boys were texting me saying, oh, can't wait to meet you, and never talk to them on the phone, but always just, you know, text messages. Not that you're going to be my new mom, but, you know, they were so sad. And they were, he told me three and five at the time. So that's really young, right? And how old did he say he was? 49, because then his birthday was close to mine. I was going to be turning 60 and he was going to be turning 50. By December, we're talking about this birthday party, 80 grand on a yacht. He says, blank check.

And I mean, we would send me a thousand here, but I'm still, you know, investing and sending money's going back and forth. Okay, so then he tells you to put more. more of the money that he sent you into this crypto account? Yes. Why you're transferred by crypto, put it in this e-wallet, which the profits, like every week was at least 10,000. And until now, what was your understanding of how cryptocurrency worked?

It sounds like you asked some friends and family. How did they explain it to you? Well, most of them didn't know how it worked. I had one person that said they just invested like a couple of hundred. And I would watch it. I think when I first started, it was at like $60,000 for one Bitcoin. And of course, now it's like $119. It was believable because I was thinking that mine was truly being invested in

and I was watching it. This episode is brought to you by Square. You're not just running a restaurant. You're building something big. and Square's there for all of it, giving your customers more ways to order, whether that's in-person with Square kiosk or online, instant access to your sales,

plus the funding you need to go even bigger. And real-time insights so you know what's working, what's not, and what's next. Because when you're doing big things, your tools should to. Visit square.ca to get started. Summer's here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats.

What do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well-groom lawn delivered, but you can get a chicken parmesan delivered. A cabana? That's a no. But a banana, that's a yes. A nice tan, sorry, nope. But a box fan, happily yes. A day of sunshine? No.

A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol and select markets. Product availability may vary by Regency app for details. After Jackie's initial investment,

not only could she track a Bitcoin to get a general understanding of how her investments were doing, she also started receiving statements from a company called Coin Clusta, showing her profits. These statements looked legitimate, and Jackie didn't feel like she had any reason to doubt them. So how did seeing those profits influence her?

I don't consider myself a greedy person, and I've worked really hard all my life to save all that money, but a part of their playbook to say, you're seeing all these profits, thousands of dollars, So sure, we can afford a $1.2 million house. At the same time, he's asking me, oh, you know, what are the school systems like and what towns? And then he would send pictures of homes that may have been on the market. So it just kept feeling real.

Like he was texting, calling all the time, saying all the things you wanted to hear about your future, it sounds like. Yes. At the same time, part of your relationship was investing in coin cluster. Yep. You mentioned sending money to an e-wallet. What was your understanding of where exactly the money was going and who was controlling it? So from the e-wallet, which you have to use a authenticator, I thought it was going to coin cluster, which shows all the profit. but it really was going wherever because two state troopers in Connecticut,

they traced one wallet to Singapore and one to Nigeria. So once the money went into the wallet, it was basically gone. But you didn't know this at the time, of course. Correct. And after you started investing the money you took out of your 401k and invested the money that he sent to you, did he pressure you to take out more money? Well, not pressure, but I was 59.5.

And what happens at 59.5? Oh, you could take out your 403B and do anything you want with it. So I had a co-worker that, or her husband, when she turned 59 a half, they took it out and they invested in something else. At this point, how much money had you invested? $400K, which a hundred. 100,000, 113,000 was in taxes. But I have to tell you, I now have a $57,000 IRS bill from taking the distribution. Yes. I thought that that was enough, but my salary is decent. So add to that, and I owe the IRS $57,000. From the 400 that you took out. Yes. They taxed it once. And

then they tax you again. So they add that to your salary. If you have a Roth, you pay tax when you put it in, but if you have a 403B or 401k or traditional IRA, then sometimes people do often forget that you have to pay tax when that money comes out. Right, but I thought it did because of the initial tax that they took out. But nope. So after the initial tax that they took out, How much did you end up putting into the platform? $300,000. And that was the same choreography that you did with the money before. Yes.

Put it in an e-wallet, get statements from Coin Cluster. Gone, yes. Well, at that point, you're still getting statements showing that it was profitable, right? What was your emotional state at the time? Were you hopeful putting in that $300? Yeah, because it looked like I was already from all. August, September of 23 to, I don't know, March of 24 was like a million dollars. You had put in around $340,000 of your own money at this point, and most of it came from your

retirement accounts. But I also want to talk about your condo because at the time you owned your condo and it was fully paid off. How long had it taken you to pay it off? It was less than 30 years, maybe 26, 27. Okay, so some catch-up payments, but a traditional 30-year mortgage, this is where you want to live the rest of your life? I thought. So right now, it's in a short sale. So the HELOC was for 189. Your home equity line of credit. Yes. That is, again, invested. These banks, they allowed these people, whomever they are, to deposit large checks into my HELOC, which were bad checks. I think one was for 50,000, one was for 70,000. And I'm left holding the bag.

So Bank of America said to me owing $189,000. They say I owe them $368,000. So he asks you to tap into your HELOC to invest? Yes. And you do that. Because again, he's shown me his and he's got like $10 million. So you took the money out of your paid off condo. You put it into the platform.

So now we're up to more than 500,000. Oh, yeah. When did things start to shift? In other words, how did you start to figure out that you were being scammed by this person you trusted? I get a call from my local police station that I visited a year before and they say to me, we received an anonymous call from a gentleman with a thick Indian accent stating that he feels sorry for you because you're being scammed. And he says, are you being scammed? And of course, it's like the world ended. I mean, everything just stopped. First, I said no. So I hang up and I'm just, I mean, beyond devastated because

everything blew up. But I didn't let the scammer know at first. So the very next day, I go to the police station. And, you know, I said, I got a call yesterday and it was a detective train. And, or whomever. But they, again, not knowing, he's like, oh, I need you to categorize all these e-wallets and do all these things. And it was so overwhelming. I'm like, I'm not going to be able to do this.

And then they're like, oh, you know, contact IC3, which is the FBI. So I submitted three separate. It's like an email. You fill out things to the FBI. Never heard back. So I think this is like, August, 24, I call the state police and I leave a long message. And these two detectives,

I feel like they're like God's sins, Detective Matt Hogan and Mike Grabowski. They are, you know, investigating scam cases for the whole state of Connecticut, just these two state trooper detectives that taught themselves what to do. So he had me, come to the state police barracks. It seems like at this point you started to understand and accept that this was a scam, but you didn't tell Brandon about your suspicions. Is that because you wanted to see how far this thing could go, or is that something detective suggested?

Yes, who, you know, don't say anything, just kind of go along so we can, you know, I gave him phone numbers. But eventually you did confront him. How did he react? He denied it to the very end. But I just couldn't continue. I was too angry. And then part of the butchering is when I started getting through the mail.

I'm, like, traumatized to go to the mailbox because I'm getting rejection letters from credit unions and banks. I guess he knew, maybe he knew the gig was up. So that's with the butchering. They just, you know, have your information and try to apply for anything. kind of credit. He had done some cash advance with the city bank. My limit was 50,000. How do I owe Bank of America 100,000? And it just goes on. Navy federal is 30,000. I tried to file for bankruptcy, but if you make 79,000 or less, you can file for Chapter 7, which it goes away in 90 days. But if you make over $80,000, chapter 13 is dollar for dollar. You're basically just trying to make

arrangements to pay these debtors, which is crazy. So you can't file for bankruptcy because you make more than $80,000 a year. And at this point, it sounds like including the loans and the cash advances, you've lost somewhere close to a million dollars. Yes. And the $50,000 tax just brought it over to a million 50 because I owed the state 2000. I was able to pay that. And did you learn who these scammers are? Well, the state troopers, the two of them, this past fall, because I call, you know, and check in every now and then, because he told me about the two wallets that they trace, one to Singapore, one to Nigeria. So I guess the state troopers contacted maybe the Varyl Beach, Florida police. And that's how they found out that this woman was told.

told that I was an investor and she sent money to me and to another person, another $100,000. So you learned that the check you originally got was from another victim. Yes. He said it was she owed him for work that he had done. But I found out, yes, from the state police that she was being scammed at the same time. I guess they do a couple of people at a time because that's all they do. Did you ever talk to her? No. I wasn't. able to get her phone number. So I don't know what they told her to do. But yeah, and she was like 72. And when the truth started to unravel, how difficult was it for you to break that emotional bond that you had formed with Brandon? Oh, I was angry. And like I said, he denied it. I know other

victims and I've read where the families couldn't get them to stop. I was beyond, like I probably could committed a crime if I was able to see him. That's how angry I was. So what did you say to this Brandon crime? I said, I can't believe I trusted you. You've ruined my life. He said, oh, what are you talking about? No, I didn't. And I said, I'm going to be out on the street. And he said, no, no. He even tried at that time to say he's going to send me some more money, but can he trust me? And I was like, I don't think that's happening.

I worked hard for my money. I would never want to take anyone's money. But for one second, he was like, oh, I'm going to send you some money. And at that time, I knew you scammed it. So it's probably somebody else's hard-earned money. And one thing I'm not is a thief. And then you just stopped talking to him altogether.

He tried to re-reached out, you know, probably another two weeks. And then I just blocked him because, you know, having spoken with the officer and they're like, they don't get caught. And they have computers and they generate numbers. Because even like six months in, he's like, hey, I got a new number. And it had my area code. Like he was ready, getting ready to move here and everything. So twisted. What did you end up finding out about who he really is. I still don't know who it really is. That picture, this poor guy, whoever in Australia, probably used hundreds of times. They get an attractive person. And I think they

stole his whole Facebook account because I have tons of pictures of him and the kids. He sent videos of the kids. And then you turn all of this information over to the detectives. Yes. What are they able to find out? It's an ongoing investigation, but they don't know who's doing it, but they were able to sort of trace the e-wallets and not a whole lot. And that part is just not knowing who these people are. I never heard of the Yahoo Boys and these Nigerians that just, and it's everywhere. I think it's in Laos. It's in Thailand. It's in Myanmar. because I've even heard stories of the actual scammers who are forced to scam and do all these other things. But that just wasn't on my radar on the beginning.

Bank more oncores when you switch to a Scotia Bank banking package. Learn more at scotiabank.com slash banking packages. Conditions apply. Scotia Bank, you're richer than you think. Stellist lenses do more than just correct your child's vision. They slow down the progression of myopia. So your child can continue to discover all the world has to offer through their own eyes. Light the path to a brighter future with stellar lenses for myopia control.

Learn more at SLR.com. And ask your family eye care professional for SLR Stellist lenses at your child's next visit. You've probably heard the stories, ghost in the water, hands grabbing swimmers, and boats malfunctioning out of nowhere. But did you know Lake Lanier in Georgia was built over an entire community, including cemeteries that were never moved? This week on Moms and Mysteries, we're diving into the murky history of Lake Lanier, from racial violence that erased a thriving town to decades of freak accidents, drownings, and the legend of the Lady of the Lake. It's haunting, it's heartbreaking, and it's one of the most chilling stories we've ever told.

So listen now to the Mystery of Lake Lanier on the Moms and Mysteries podcast, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. But instead of allowing the anger and the devastation to take hold, Jacqueline decided to turn her pain into something that could help others. I'm a fighter. I refuse to be in the shadows. I wanted everyone to know what happened. I know most people are so fearful and so embarrassed in their shame that they will not speak up. And I think that's part of why it continues to happen.

At what point after this is all going on, can you even have the energy, despite this immense trauma that you've experienced, to become the AARP fraud fighter that you are to be the advocate for other scam victims? I think it was maybe October when the president reached out to me and she says, oh, do you think you want to help other people? people. And I said, absolutely. She said, well, what do you think about doing an interview? I said, and show my face. I was like, I don't know. So I thought about it. And I said, in all of the things that I've seen, all the documentaries, all the stories, I've never seen an African-American woman. So I said,

you know what? You're going to have to take one for the team. I'm in breast imaging. So October is a very busy month for me. We have a mobile unit. And there was a report. reporter, and I said to her, can I ask you a personal question? And I was looking for help. She's like, she happened to be, had been an intern for one of the news reporters, and she hooked him up with me. And he came to my home and interviewed me. And that just started the ball rolling as to coming out of the shadows. And most people would say, oh, my God, I can't believe that happened to you. You never missed a beat because I had to go on. I had to go on. I had. had to put a smile on my face and go to work.

Did you want to retire? I had set it up that it would be like 62, maybe 64, but knowing that, you know, with, I don't know anymore, my company, you'd have to get Medicare, and that would be the most important part for me, knowing that I had medical coverage. So it would have had to been at 65. all the money I've lost, I would have been able to retire comfortably. So paint the picture of what you wanted your life to look like now before you met this guy. What is the reality? I'm the outreach educator for breast cancer survivor group.

And I go and I teach people how to examine their breasts in all ages. So I'm like a pillar in my community because I've been in radiology for 40 plus years now. and I'm synonymous with mammography. I figured once I retire, I will continue to teach, at first I said minority, but anyone about how important breast health is and how to examine your breasts and all these different things. So I figured while my condo be paid for, I just have to pay HOA's and taxes and be able to travel and do it basically what I want.

But now I had to almost start all over. again. So you're going to be working for... I don't know when. I can't see myself at 70, but on the bright side and I don't know where this optimism comes from. I do look at the glass half full. I just say, God didn't bring me this far to end it like this. So I'm not going to get that money back, but there has to be something somewhere along the line to be just a Blessing. I don't know. And otherwise, I'll just keep working. Because I've also read where people have taken their lives and all kinds of things because of the loss of so much. I love my life. I want to live. I want to help people. But that doesn't mean I can't be angry. We're all human.

And I feel back, you know, the layers were pulled back to my heart and taken advantage of. And that's, their job is to separate people from their money, and that is it. Looking back now, what do you think are the biggest red flags that you recognize that you wish you'd seen earlier? One of the things that I talk about is I wrote to the BLK. They never wrote back to me, but Pina, who's on WOBC 7, they seem to have got more information than I could ever get. And I want there to be like a warning.

Be careful when you go off the platform. it's that important that you really, really have to be careful because you don't know who you're talking to. And I try not to beat myself up, but I'm like, damn it, I never had social media. You mean, if you had social media, you would have potentially found something out about? Well, no, a little more versed about it. I just feel like if I had known about the getting off the platform and how it could be. I think that these scammers are on all the social media and dating platforms, just, you know,

waiting for someone to take the bait. What's the most important advice that you would give someone who might be in the early stages? Never, ever give your personal information, no matter what. And they may try to trick you, just super careful. Do you think there's a target on older women? Well, I think it's happening to both men and women, because these scammers can pose as women and men. I mean, I think there's a special place in hell for scammers who target the elderly. Yep.

What message would you have for the perpetrator of these scams if they were listening? I don't know where these people are from, but they have families, they have mothers, they had sisters. But they really want this to happen to their family members. I don't think they would. For your family members or friends or anyone out there who might suspect that a loved one is the victim of a scam or in the early stages of getting romance or investments scammed or both, what advice would you offer them on how to approach the situation and help their loved one? I would tell them to run. And it's hard to say do your due diligence, but just really go with your gun. Because there was a couple of times, like it was, you know, a gut, but then they just coaxed it away.

But what about a family or a friend who's seeing their loved one talking to somebody online and they never met him or her? And it feels a little suspicious. Yeah, I would definitely say, no, just try to end it if you can or more proof. And it's hard. how do you, if that person is making excuses of why they can't show their face or why they can't be where they say they're going to be, then I would say, please don't do it. That's why I want to just have anyone or everyone that hears this and here's anything that no matter what, anyone can be fooled, included myself. What do you hope will be the lasting impact of sharing your story

and your advocacy work. I hope that people will see this and take heed and believe me that I do not want this to happen to another single person. It's a nightmare. You know, you can't know how your story is going to end. The only thing, like I say, I'm thankful for a great job that I have and my health. otherwise every day is a new day and all you can do is pray for the best because it's awful. I'm so sorry. I cannot imagine Jackie, but thank you so much for the courage to speak up and to

help others. We really appreciate you taking the time to be here and sharing your story. Oh, sure. is hosted by me, Nicole Lapin, and is a Crimehouse original powered by Pave Studios. My guest today was Jackie Crenshaw. Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support. If you like what you heard here today, reach out on all social media at Crime House. And don't forget to rate, review, and follow Scams, money, and murder wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly makes a difference.

And for ad-free listening plus early access and bonus content, subscribe to Crimehouse Plus on Apple Podcasts. This episode was brought to life by the Scams Money and Murder team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benadon, Stacey Warnker, Sarah Camp, and Paul Lebeskin. If you love Scams, Money, and Murder, check out our Crimehouse Original, Conspiracy Theory, Cults, and Crimes for the world's darkest truths. Follow Conspiracy Theory, Colts, and Crimes Now, wherever you get your podcasts. listening and early access to episodes. Subscribe to Crimehouse Plus on Apple Podcasts.