A California widow has lost $425,000, including funds from selling her home, to a romance scammer who posed as a potential husband and promised access to a fabricated fortune. Bonnie Doose, 76, of Riverside, never met the man who identified himself as “Dean Ramirez” but sent him money over two years, believing his claims that he needed funds to resolve a tax lien on his supposed $7 million.
Doose, who became a widow in 2023 after her husband died by suicide, sought companionship on a dating app. Ramirez, who claimed to be a 60-year-old widower working on an oil rig, repeatedly assured her that he would repay her once his money was unfrozen. He even sent her a screenshot that appeared to show a $7 million bank balance as they discussed future plans and browsed homes online.
"You almost feel brainwashed at a point," Doose stated. "And you feel lucky that you found somebody who cares."
Despite having college degrees and a career in child development, Doose, who is living alone and has no children, did not recognize the pattern of the scam, though she mentioned she might be experiencing mild dementia. The requests for money escalated, leading her to sell her Riverside home for $377,000 in December 2025, approximately $90,000 below its market value, according to her attorney, John E. Tiedt. After the sale, Doose continued to wire money to Ramirez, sending an additional $59,000 in smaller installments.
Despite a neighbor’s warnings, Doose continued the payments until she contacted Tiedt and the Riverside police, at which point she stopped. She is currently still residing in her former home due to the buyer's goodwill, but Tiedt indicated that securing her ability to keep the house is unlikely.
Tiedt explained that the scam was successful because the perpetrator cultivated complete trust with Doose.
Riverside police Detective Robert Olsen, who investigated the case, identified romance scams as the most prevalent fraud targeting individuals aged 65 and older. Olsen believes the scammer is likely based in Nigeria and uses intermediaries to evade law enforcement.
"Primarily, when we are dealing with the elderly, it’s not about educating the elderly as much as educating the people around them to notice when these things are occurring," Olsen told The Orange County Register.
Even after Doose ceased sending funds, Ramirez attempted to contact her. During an interview with The Press-Enterprise, he sent a text message that read: "Honey I have been so worried... Please try to reach me. Dean."
Doose now advises others to immediately cease contact with anyone asking for money whom they have never met. "Get rid of them fast," she said.