Written By Lisa Murimi
Rodrick Lodge, a 69-year-old widower from Leiston, Suffolk, has been left penniless after falling victim to a romance scam orchestrated by a Kenyan woman who never existed.
Lodge, seeking companionship after the death of his wife in 2019, was introduced to “Anita” through a mutual friend in Kenya.
Their online relationship grew, leading him to send Ksh 14.35 million for her home improvements, believing they would marry.
Lodge, convinced by intimate photos and convincing updates of the house renovations, was devastated to discover upon arriving in Nairobi that Anita was a phantom.
His attempts to meet her were met with excuses, and it was soon revealed that the entire relationship was a scam. His friend, who introduced him to Anita, was part of the deception.
“I feel like a fool. I was deceived into believing in something that wasn’t real,” Lodge told the BBC. After losing his life savings, Lodge returned to the UK, homeless and destitute.
This case highlights the growing danger of online romance scams.
It also coincides with reports of increased global scamming, with authorities warning of syndicates forcing people into fraudulent schemes.
Lodge now faces an uncertain future, left to rebuild from the devastating scam.
