TL;DR: Fox News (CyberGuy) reported on September 16, 2026 that a woman identified as Gaby lost close to $1 million over about two years after a March 2019 LinkedIn message. Payments grew from $10,000 to $200,000 for “taxes and customs” and $500,000 for “surgery to prove my love”. The scammer used photos of a real man, Brian Haugen. She broke the spell by demanding proof.
What happened
Fox News (CyberGuy) reports that in March 2019 a woman named Gaby received a LinkedIn message from a stranger who appeared connected to a former colleague, which made the profile look credible. The contact lasted about two years and she lost close to $1 million.
How the payments grew
- She sent about $10,000, which the scammer later returned, building her trust.
- Requests then rose: $10,000, $20,000 and $40,000.
- About $200,000 was requested for taxes and customs, with a promise of repayment.
- Then came $500,000. Gaby said: “Suddenly he told me he needs surgery to prove my love. I sent 500,000.”
The stolen face
The scammer used photos and the likeness of a real man, Brian Haugen, who said his social media photos were taken and reused on fake accounts under other names. Gaby booked an online session connected to the real Haugen and asked the scammer to send a message from the email account tied to a legitimate Zoom invitation. He stalled for about two weeks. She told him she would no longer believe him without proof. He never produced it, and she recognised the deception.
What this teaches
A business network such as LinkedIn feels safer than a dating app, so the guard drops. The scam used a returned first payment, rising small requests and finally a huge emotional test. Our guides on verifying who you are talking to and reverse image search give quick checks; the real Brian Haugen case shows why a photo match is not enough on its own.
Red flags
- A stranger on a professional network who becomes romantic quickly.
- A small test payment that is returned, followed by bigger requests.
- Money for taxes, customs or medical care from someone you have never met.
- Stalling when you ask for a live video or proof from a known account.
See romance scam red flags, next steps after a romance scam and report at IC3. Check how visible your details are with our free digital footprint check.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Gaby lose?
Close to $1 million over roughly two years, including about $200,000 for taxes and customs and $500,000 for “surgery”.
Whose photos did the scammer use?
Photos and likeness of a real man, Brian Haugen, who said his social media photos were taken and reused.
How did she find out?
She asked the scammer to message from the email tied to a real Zoom invitation. He stalled for about two weeks and never produced it.
Can LinkedIn really host romance scams?
Yes. This case began with a LinkedIn message that looked connected to a former colleague.
Sources
- Fox News / CyberGuy: Woman loses nearly $1M in LinkedIn romance scam (Sep 16, 2026)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- FTC ReportFraud