Woman scammed 87-year-old widow out of $100k in romance scam, warrant says

Lori Mitchell, 59, of Fort Lauderdale, is facing charges of grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person 

By NBC6 

A South Florida woman is facing serious charges after she defrauded an 87-year-old widow out of over $100,000 by manipulating him into believing they were in a romantic relationship, authorities said.

Lori Mitchell, 59, of Fort Lauderdale, is facing charges of grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person, according to an arrest report from the Broward Sheriff's Office.

The alleged crimes happened between November 2011 and February 2013, according to an arrest warrant. During that time, Mitchell allegedly befriended the then-87-year-old victim, who was lonely after his wife died, and offered to do some interior decorating in his home.

According to the warrant, Mitchell convinced the victim that they were in a romantic relationship by spending time with him and going on dinner dates.

Mitchell would ask the victim for cash loans to fix a million-dollar home in Long Island that she claimed she owned and needed to sell, and promised she would pay him back, the warrant said.

The victim would take out cash loans from several accounts, and the loans eventually totaled up to $108,310, the warrant said. The victim also allegedly helped Mitchell lease a brand-new vehicle, took her out shopping and out to dinner a few times a week.

In the final month of their relationship, Mitchell asked the victim for another $20,000, and the victim turned her down, saying he was in financial hardship and could no longer support her, the warrant said. Mitchell proceeded to ignore the victim and no longer contacted him.

"The defendant made the elderly victim believe that they were in a romantic relationship and preyed upon his loneliness to obtain financial gain," the warrant concluded.

Mitchell was arrested Friday and appeared in bond court on Saturday, where a judge set her bond to $50,000.

The victim died in 2023, according to a prosecutor. 

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Woman scammed 87-year-old widow out of $100k in romance scam, warrant says