Airport staff in Canada are warning of a disturbing new scam trend that's playing out in heartbreaking scenes at arrivals as elderly and vulnerable victims show up to meet online 'soulmates' who don't exist.
Gander International Airport in Newfoundland says at least six people in the past month alone have arrived with flowers, fresh outfits, and fake flight itineraries only to slowly realize they've been 'catfished' - taken in by a fake online profile.
Officials say the victims are often seniors and being lured into online relationships by scammers who eventually promise to visit in person.
But when the day comes, the supposed lover never arrives and the travel documents presented to airline staff turn out to be completely fake.
The airport has now gone public with its warning, calling the trend 'an epidemic' and urges families to check in on loved ones before their hearts and bank accounts are shattered.
'You have to watch this woman come in and then go to the airline staff with her ticket and say, 'Look, he's supposed to be here, but he's not,' said Reg Wright, CEO of Gander International Airport Authority to CBC.
'And it's evident to staff right away - the ticket is not real. It's not an itinerary. Gander is spelled wrong. The flight number doesn't exist.'
The scam is not just being played out digitally anymore but in-person, in real time in airport terminals as victims realize too late they've been lured by a lie.
Gander Airport in Newfoundland says at least six people in the past month alone have arrived with flowers, fresh outfits, and fake flight itineraries only to realize they've been catfished.
'We've had people show up ready to meet someone they've been speaking to for months - only to find they don't exist,' said Gander Airport CEO Reg Wright. 'It's absolutely crushing'
Gander International Airport became famous on September 11, 2001 when US airspace was closed and in just a matter of hours a total of 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were diverted to the small, remote Newfoundland town.
The story inspired the Broadway musical Come From Away which told of the town's hospitality following the arrival of thousands of international visitors who were stranded for five days.
But now the airport appears to be at the center of a cruel scam. In a heartbreaking social media post, the airport warns travelers to stay alert and compassionate, noting the victims are often elderly, widowed, or isolated.
'We've had people show up dressed sharply, with gifts and big smiles, ready to meet someone they’ve been speaking to for months - only to find that person doesn’t exist,' said Wright. 'It’s absolutely crushing.'
'It’s called catfishing - when someone pretends to be someone they’re not, often to exploit others,' the airport's post reads.
'And before you dismiss it as gullibility, remember this: loneliness is powerful, and the search for connection is one of our most basic human needs.'
The airport ended the public service message with a playful payoff.
'Honestly, we haven't had this many broken hearts around YQX since the Leafs' last playoff run. Or when Clooney finally got married.'
The scam is not just being played out digitally anymore but in-person, playing out in real time in airport terminals as victims realize too late they've been lured by a lie.
Gander is a remote Canadian town with a population of 12,000 in northeastern Newfoundland.
Staff appear to be well aware what is going on.
'I worked at the airport in St. Johns - this man was there to meet a woman well... 10 hours later he gave up and left defeated. It was actually sad to see first hand,' wrote Kevin Sweeney online.
The scam usually follows a familiar pattern: a stranger reaches out online, often on Facebook, dating apps, or messaging platforms and begins building trust, posing as a romantic partner overseas.
Weeks or months later, the scammer claims to be flying in to meet the victim – and provides a fake flight itinerary but the victim realize until they’ve spent hours standing in the arrivals hall before slowly realizing they’ve been tricked.
'It preys on that most human of vulnerabilities, which is the need for love and connection,' Wright said. 'And even more worrisome, there's almost always a financial transaction at play.
'We're talking about people who waited for hours before they come to terms with the fact that no one is coming. That the love of their life was never real.
'One woman waited for hours at the gate and still asked if maybe he'd missed the flight. She wanted us to check another flight,' Wright said. 'That's how deep these scams go.'
One incident last week saw a woman arrived alone, dressed impeccably waiting for their love interest to arrive, but they never did (file photo)
One incident last week saw a woman arrive alone, dressed impeccably waiting for their love interest to arrive, but they never did.
The damage wasn't just emotional. The woman had already wired thousands of dollars to the scammer under the illusion it was to help them travel to Canada.
Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey with the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP said the scam is part of a growing epidemic.
'It's happening more often than people realize,' he said to the Epoch Times. 'Some victims are so ashamed, they won't even tell their family - even if they've lost everything.'
Wright and other officials are urging the public, particularly families with aging parents or loved ones who live alone to step in.
'If there's someone in your family who's engaged deeply in an online relationship, you probably need to nose yourself into the frame and ask a few questions,' Wright said.
Cpl. O'Donaghey echoed the plea for vigilance, warning that romance scammers are skilled manipulators.
'They do extensive research on their victims. They know how to build trust. They make excuses to never meet in person, and then - a crisis. A visa issue. A medical emergency. That's when they ask for money.'
'There's a lot to it,' he said. 'It's so convoluted. That's why it works.'
Authorities stress that victims should never be blamed or ridiculed and that compassion is critical.
'It's easy to roll your eyes,' the airport's post read,'but remember:this isn't about foolishness or naivety.It's about people looking for love -and being met with deception.'
'I'm always talking about flying local.Maybe...date local,'Wright quipped.