Editor's note: Lovefraud received this letter from a reader named “Krzyluv” who found herself in a sociopath's twisted web.I would like to start by saying that a concerned friend referred me to this website, and I must say that I never in a million years would think that there was anyone out there who was like me, or would ever believe what has happened to me and my children. The stories and blogs I have read have inspired so much strength and courage inside of this empty shell of a woman that I have become! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having such an inspiring website as this. It makes me think that if all these women can be that brave and do it, so can I.My story starts a lit …
LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: I wanted him to be the guy of my dreams, but he’s nothing but a fraud
Editor's note: Lovefraud received this e-mail from a reader who we'll call Loralei, who wrote about meeting the “guy of her dreams.” At the end of her e-mail, I'll comment on it.When I was young, I was emotionally and physically abused by my mother. She didn't give me any black eyes, but I did get slapped, my hair pulled, and it was clear that the world revolved around my mother. I lived in fear, and when I wasn't the target of her anger, I was ignored.Fast forward 40 years. I am a successful businesswoman, I live in a nice Chicago suburb, I have friends, I like to help people, and I was tired of not having a love life. For some goofy reason, I posted an ad on Craigslist; I met …
LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: I wanted him to be the guy of my dreams, but he’s nothing but a fraudRead More
LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: What Would You Do?
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following letter from the reader who posts as "SocioSibs." She asks, "what would you do?"What if you have reason to believe that someone you know is a serious danger to others? You've known this person almost all your life, grew up together in the same family.Until recently, this person had a huge menagerie of animals housed on an acre of land, including a horse, 13 dogs, 5 cats, turkeys & peacocks and possibly a parrot or 2. Yet when she abandoned the property, all but 2 dogs she took with her disappeared in a span of just weeks. Subsequent to this person's latest move (one of 25 or so over a half-century), you found a couple of canine c …
LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: The long grift
Editor's note: The following story was received from a reader whom we'll call “Violet” about her experience with a long grift, not of money, but of intimacy.I knew L when we worked together at a call centre as customer service representatives. He seemed nice, and he had lovely, expressive brown eyes and a gentle nature. I was losing weight at the time, and he asked for my help, so of course I gave him advice and tips. He began to lose weight, and he invited me over to his and his girlfriend, M's, apartment for dinner and to show him some 'exercise moves' (now I think it was mostly an excuse to ogle me). He looked at me very intently, it wasn't menacing, but I definitely felt like he wanted to …
LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: Lost and really need help
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following e-mail from a reader who posts as BentNotBroken. She is having difficulty breaking off an involvement with a sociopath and really needs help.My head is so full that I don't really know where to start.I dated a man (off and on) for 2-1/2 years, and recently found out that he was having several long-term relationships at the same time. I had never been in an abusive relationship, so I didn't know what the gut-wrenching feeling meant. I didn't know to trust it.My mind is playing tricks on me at this point. Is he or isn't he? The signs are so obvious, but then I think of his face, his touch, his words, and I melt. How can this man — this love of m …
LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: This was all about him and all about what he needed
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader who we'll call “Kay.” She discovered that her magic relationship was all about him.Kay and the Loser in Aluminum FoilHe was prince charming, at least to me he was. We liked the same music, the same food, we spoke about the same topics, liked frequenting the same places, everything was so right.My friends, however, had a complete aversion to his instant overbearing interest in all things Kay. He completely immersed himself in my life and was constantly "making sure" I was okay. He made sure he monopolized all my time. He would call me approximately 20-25 times a day. During working hours he made sure he called me at lea …
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LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: When The Player becomes The Played
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a woman who we'll call Lorraine. She is 51 years old and lives in Australia. The name of the man she was involved with has been changed.I became involved with David, 49, after joining up to the dating site in September last year when I was emotionally down after a divorce and being on my own for awhile. I have heard both good and bad stories about online romances and was fully aware of women being ripped off financially. Well that was never going to happen to me, for I am too smart for that. But quite clearly not too smart for being taken emotionally.Within days of placing my profile complete with photo of myself I had received lots …
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LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: I felt bonded, even though this made me nauseated
Editor's note: Lovefraud received this letter from a reader who we'll call “Abigail.” She relates how she felt bonded to a man, even after he brutally assaulted her.I grew up very sheltered in an ultra-religious family; I had no knowledge whatsoever about deceitful liars. I should have because my also very innocent and trusting mother was misled by one man like that, who deceived her, promising her marriage, just to end up getting her pregnant (with me) and then leave her and us for good. My family, however, preferred to deal with this issue by keeping it as much secret as possible, so unfortunately I couldn't learn from my mother's mistakes.I have been sheltered in a "glass box" all my lif …
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LETTERS TO LOVEFRAUD: He was snatched from me, even though he wasn’t real
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following letter from a reader who we'll call “Janine.” She fell in love with a man that she met online, but he wasn't real.It started back in Dec. 08, I was on an online dating site and came across a profile, his picture was nice, my type, dark hair, nice face, normal handsome looking. Brief description, saying his likes dislikes etc, so I messaged him.From there is went to msn chat and then we exchanged numbers, when he rang me he said sorry if you don't like my voice, I had an operation when I was younger and it has changed it. Didn't think anything of it.We clicked straight away, got on like a house on fire, had the same sense of humour and talked for …
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He stole all the assets, abandoned his child, and kept his parenting rights
Editor’s note: A Lovefraud reader, whom we’ll call Marilyn23, tells how her husband stole all the assets that she’d built up over years and controlled her through his parenting rights.I was unknowingly groomed by my partner for years. I was an independent successful artist and businessperson. I had saved money to start purchasing investment properties. He insinuated himself into my finances, though I did not need his support. He was very pushy and persuasive insisting couples should share financial growth. He always made false promises. That he would help with the work or expenses to renovate but just got overly controlling. I did all the work. Read more: Why psychopathic parents en …
He stole all the assets, abandoned his child, and kept his parenting rightsRead More