A Fort Lauderdale woman is accused of turning a grieving widower’s search for companionship into a six-figure payday, with prosecutors saying she drained more than $100,000 from the 87-year-old over the course of a year and a half.
Lori Mitchell, 59, was arrested this week on charges of grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person after an arrest warrant described what prosecutors call a romance-style scheme that targeted the man’s loneliness. According to the warrant, the alleged scheme ran from November 2011 through February 2013 and persuaded the victim to take out cash loans and make other payments totaling $108,310.
Investigators say Mitchell convinced the man they were in a romantic relationship, took him out to dinner and shopping, and talked him into helping lease a brand-new vehicle. She was arrested Friday and appeared in bond court, where a judge set her bond at $50,000. Prosecutors said the victim later died in 2023, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida.
A familiar playbook: why seniors are targeted
Law enforcement says schemes built on fake affection and false trust are hitting older Americans especially hard. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) annual report shows confidence and romance scams led to roughly $672 million in reported losses in 2024 and nearly 18,000 complaints nationwide, according to the IC3 annual report. Agents say the scams often rely on emotional pressure and fabricated personas to pry open wallets.
What the arrest warrant alleges
The warrant says Mitchell told the victim she owned a million-dollar home on Long Island that needed repairs, then repeatedly asked for cash "loans" for those fixes and other expenses. According to the warrant, "The defendant made the elderly victim believe that they were in a romantic relationship and preyed upon his loneliness to obtain financial gain."
In the final month of the relationship, the man allegedly refused a fresh $20,000 request. The warrant says that when he said no, Mitchell cut off contact completely, as detailed by NBC 6 South Florida.
Charges, penalties and next steps
Mitchell is charged with grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person. Under Florida law, exploiting an elderly person for $50,000 or more is a first-degree felony, as set out in Florida Statutes §825.103. First-degree felonies may carry prison terms of up to 30 years under §775.082.
How to protect seniors and report scams
Authorities urge families to keep a close eye on older relatives who suddenly have a new "special friend" and unexplained withdrawals. If you suspect an older person is being targeted, officials say to save records of messages, emails, and financial transfers, contact the bank right away, and notify law enforcement.
If money has already been sent, authorities recommend filing a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and contacting local police or the Broward Sheriff's Office to report suspected exploitation.
