"She said he used the phrase, 'I love you,' basically swept her off her feet, and for someone who hadn't dated in quite some time, it was very emotional for her and she gave into it," said Huntington Beach police officer Jennifer Marlatt.
Police say the couple texted and talked by phone, but never met in person. He convinced her to use prepaid Green Dot cards, which she loaded with cash. Once she gave him the serial number off the back, her money was in his hands, about $64,000 in just three months.
"Initially, she drained her savings account and then she took out a loan on her credit card," Marlatt said. "And after that was maxed out, she applied for a loan. She went back and applied for a second loan and that was denied."
Police are now trying to track down the suspect who used a fake name and address. Police are urging people to follow the warnings on Match.com, which include do not give money to anybody.
"I feel she's been bamboozled and I really want to caution people to be a lot more careful, especially in the areas of the heart. You just get sucked in, it's a shame," said Sali Edwards of Westminster.
The woman notified the Huntington Beach Police Department to spread the word and provide information on how to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
For more information on scam alerts, visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts and www.match.com/help/safetytips.aspx?lid=4.