TL;DR: Northeast Times reported on September 8, 2026 that a 63-year-old Lebanon County, Pennsylvania woman lost more than $384,000 to online romance fraudsters and also handed over hundreds of Apple gift cards. Pennsylvania State Police from Jonestown are tracing the accounts and people involved. No arrests have been announced.
What happened
Northeast Times reports that Pennsylvania State Police in Jonestown are investigating after a 63-year-old Lebanon County woman lost more than $384,000 to online romance fraud. The article says the figure may change as authorities review transactions, and that she also gave over hundreds of Apple gift cards, though no exact count is given. CBS Philadelphia first reported the case.
How these frauds work
According to the report, the scammer built an online relationship over weeks or months, then asked for money using fake identities with stolen photos and social media profiles. Victims were told to pay through hard-to-recover methods such as gift card codes and wire transfers.
Where the case stands
Investigators are reviewing financial records and tracing the accounts and people involved. The article says no arrests have been announced.
Why gift cards matter
Gift cards are the scammer's cash. Once a code is read out or photographed, the money is spent in minutes and cannot be easily traced or reversed. If you or a parent has bought cards at a store for someone you met online, stop and read what to do after a gift card scam and our gift card scam statistics.
Red flags
- An online partner who asks for gift cards, wire transfers or crypto.
- Someone who cannot meet in person or video call properly.
- Requests that grow over weeks, with a new emergency each time.
- A request to keep the relationship or payments secret from family.
Report at IC3 and ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and read how to report a scam to IC3. Try our free email exposure check for yourself or a parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the woman lose?
More than $384,000, according to the report, and the figure may change as investigators review transactions.
Who is investigating?
Pennsylvania State Police in Jonestown.
How were victims asked to pay?
Through hard-to-recover methods such as gift card codes and wire transfers.
Has anyone been arrested?
No arrests have been announced.
Sources
- Northeast Times: Lebanon County woman lost $384,000 to online romance fraudsters, state police say (Sep 8, 2026)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- FTC ReportFraud