This Oklahoma woman — posing as a man — scammed 4 seniors out of a stunning $1,500,000, officials say. Now she faces 62 years in jail. How to protect yourself from a similar scheme

Here's how the scam played out

According to a news release from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Echohawk created multiple online personas — Jason Morris, Edward Lotts and Glenn Goadard among them — to manipulate her victims into believing they were in committed relationships. Each alias came with an elaborate backstory and an urgent financial need.

One woman sold her paid-off home to send more than $600,000 to “Edward Lotts,” who promised to unlock a $2 million payout and move in with her once the funds were released. Another woman sent $250,000 to “Glenn Goadard,” who claimed he needed help managing a financial portfolio from Syria.

All of the money, officials say, ended up in bank accounts controlled by Echohawk. Authorities allege she laundered the funds through multiple accounts, converting some into cryptocurrency and sending it to unidentified recipients. She also received checks, wire transfers and tens of thousands of dollars in Apple gift cards.

The scam fell apart in January 2025 when MidFirst Bank flagged a suspicious $120,000 transaction. The Consumer Protection Unit within Drummond’s office launched an investigation and linked the payment — and several others — to Echohawk.

Echohawk first claimed she was also a victim, reports NBC News. However, when investigators searched her purse, they found multiple bank cards tied to accounts related to the scams, gift cards, and deposit slips for $110,000. Echohawk now faces four counts of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and one count of violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. If convicted, she could spend up to 62 years in prison and face $260,000 in fines.

“I applaud the work of my Consumer Protection Unit to fight for these victims and to hold accountable their alleged perpetrator," Drummond said in the press release.

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How to avoid falling for romance scams

According to the FBI, romance scams — also called confidence scams — often target individuals who believe they’re in a relationship with someone they’ve met online. Scammers use emotion, trust and manipulation to convince their victims to send money, gift cards or personal information.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself or loved ones from romance scams:

• Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. No matter how close the relationship feels, treat financial requests from online-only connections with extreme skepticism.

• Research online friends or partners. Use online searches to verify their image, name or other details, and see if they've been used in other scams

• Be wary of dramatic backstories. Stories involving oil rigs, military deployments or large inheritances are common red flags that you're being scammed.

• Don’t share personal financial information. Scammers may ask for bank details or offer to send you money — don’t fall for it.

• Watch for inconsistencies. Romance scammers often use stolen photos and recycled scripts. If their story seems too good to be true, it probably is.

• Listen to warnings. If your bank or another trusted financial advisor warns you of a scam, take a step back. These scams are often very elaborate — designed to trick you.

• Talk to someone you trust if you're suspicious. If you’re unsure about a relationship, confide in a trusted friend or family member. Outside perspectives can help spot red flags you might miss.

With awareness and the right amount of skepticism, you can help ensure you and your loved ones don’t fall victim to a romance scam.