I fell for a similar scam about 16-17 years ago, back in the AOL days.
I was a hard-working young sailor, tired of all the little ho-bags running around Norfolk and surrounding areas. There was a magical beep one day, an IM - instant message - that would forever change my life.
Her name was Katelyn and she said she was a teacher. I don't know how she found me, but didn't care. I also didn't care that she was divorced and had a kid. Her pictures were cute. Even had pics of herself in a classroom. At least, she said it was her.
During long hours on duty in the shipyards, we'd talk by online message and occasionally by phone. She mailed gifts and cards to me. She loved hockey and we were fans of rival minor-league teams. One of the places we were to meet up was at a bar in Richmond that was a popular post-game spot for the players and groupies. Of course it never happened.
To make a long story short, after the second meet-up failed, I came to the realization it was a hoax, but continued to milk it for the free presents a bit longer, while I went back to banging the stupid coeds and whores in southeastern VA. The incident was eventually forgotten.
Until now.