Consumer complaint received 2023-12-18
Company: REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: FL
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I am writing to report a distressing incident involving a romance scam that I fell victim to, perpetrated by an individual named XXXX XXXX XXXX. The details of the situation are as follows : I initially encountered XXXX XXXX on XXXX in XXXX XXXX XXXX and over the course of XXXX months, she systematically manipulated me into providing her with over {$10000.00} under false pretenses. Her requests started with a seemingly innocuous {$600.00} in the first week and escalated to substantial amounts each subsequent week. 

XXXX XXXX exploited fabricated health issues, including a purported XXXX and lupus diagnosis, to elicit financial assistance. Additionally, she used her children 's health as emotional leverage in her attempts to deceive me. Despite promises of repayment, she failed to return any borrowed funds, including a specific loan of {$780.00} in XXXX. 

In XXXX, I traveled from XXXX to XXXX with the intention of proposing to XXXX XXXX, spending {$500.00} on an engagement ring and {$720.00} on congratulatory gifts. Despite her initial agreement to marry me, she later disappeared, having obtained sensitive information such as my social security number and address. After I purchased an engagement ring, gifts, and various items, spending a significant amount of money under the false assumption that our relationship was genuine. XXXX XXXX XXXX continued to exploit my generosity, having me cover her car note, rent, and provide gifts. A total of {$940.00} in collectable shoes. {$1800.00} in rent {$600.00} in car note and XXXX in borrowed money. Along with multiple trips back and forth to and from XXXX. 

Despite her engagement to me in XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX failed to fulfill any promises of marriage and eventually cut off communication after obtaining sensitive information such as my social security number and address. 

XXXX XXXX obtained my personal information, including my social security number and address, for what turned out to be fraudulent purposes. Furthermore, she received funds from my business account, contributing to the extent of the financial losses incurred. 

I have diligently reached out to XXXX XXXX for repayment and the return of the engagement ring, but she has consistently evaded these requests. Her actions have caused significant financial hardship and emotional distress. She's now calling my phone and laughing and making jokes that it's funny she used me and I was in a romance scam with a XXXX XXXX XXXX woman at the age of XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received contact from XXXX XXXX ' mother, who confirmed her daughter 's deceitful actions and expressed awareness of the scam. This revelation underscores the deliberate and premeditated nature of XXXX XXXX ' activities. 

I kindly request the assistance in investigating this matter and taking appropriate action against XXXX XXXX XXXX to prevent further harm to others. Enclosed with this letter are supporting documents, including transaction records and communication logs. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I trust that the consumer finance team will work diligently to address and rectify this situation.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation