Caught in a Sweetheart Scam? You Could Be Facing Felony Charges in Connecticut

I’ve seen this happen too many times: someone thinks they’ve found love online, only to realize they’ve been tricked into helping a criminal. At first, it appears to be a simple romance — sweet messages and promises of a future together. The scammers spend weeks or months developing what, in the victim's mind, appears to be a genuine relationship. They often have excuses about why they can’t meet in person, often with explanations of being on a drilling project or stuck overseas on a work assignment. The victim feels that they are in a “real” relationship. 

Then the requests start. Perhaps it’s to deposit a check, transfer money within your account, or convert funds into cryptocurrency. The scammer claims that by “helping out” with this transfer, it will remove the obstacle or problem that is preventing the scammer from meeting the victim in person. Of course the victim will never meet the scammer, but if they follow through with transferring funds through their account, it could lead to criminal charges against the victim 

By the time the dust settles, the money is gone overseas, the check turns out to be stolen, and suddenly you are the one being investigated by police for larceny, forgery, or money laundering.

It’s unfair, but it’s real — and it’s happening more often here in Connecticut. The good news is that with the right defense, you can show the truth: you were a victim, not a willing accomplice.

Even if you never kept a single dollar, law enforcement may still investigate you for serious crimes such as:

• Larceny (CGS § 53a-119) – for depositing or transferring stolen funds
• Forgery – if your name appears on the fraudulent check
• Conspiracy (CGS § 53a-48) – if prosecutors argue you “agreed” to help
• Money Laundering / Racketeering – especially when cryptocurrency is involved

The problem is that police and prosecutors often don’t understand how manipulative these scammers are. They only see your name on the account and your role in moving the funds. Without the right defense, you can easily go from victim to defendant.

One client living in Georgia deposited a $30,000 check and, at the insistence of her online “boyfriend,” converted it into cryptocurrency and sent it to Nigeria. The check was stolen from a Stamford resident. Stamford Police began investigating her as if she were the criminal.

She contacted me right away. I compiled her text messages and emails, showing the manipulation, and proved she never kept any of the funds. Because I was able to present the truth early, the case was closed with no charges filed.

Another client, from North Carolina, was contacted by Stamford Police after unknowingly depositing a stolen check. Unlike the first client, she didn’t respond or get help quickly. The police moved forward with an arrest warrant, charging her with Larceny in the First Degree and Forgery. Now she must travel to Connecticut to defend herself.

I fought to prove her innocence, but the process is far harder once an arrest is already on the books.

These two cases show the difference:

• Before arrest: I can often work with investigators directly, present proof, and shut down the case
• After arrest: Clearing your name is still possible, but the stakes are higher and the road is tougher

If you’ve been contacted by detectives or fear you may be under investigation, don’t wait. Get legal help right away.

• Do not ignore it. Silence often leads to warrants
• Do not speak to police on your own. Even innocent words can be twisted
• Save everything. Texts, emails, chats can prove you were manipulated
• Call a lawyer immediately. A proactive offensive is the best defense

• I gather and present evidence showing the manipulation: texts, emails, transaction logs
• I explain the scam dynamics to police and prosecutors, so they see you as the victim
• I fight to stop cases before charges are filed — and if charges already exist, I push for dismissal or reduction
• I provide guidance on how to protect yourself from further contact with scammers

In some cases, prosecutors can be persuaded to drop the charges entirely once they see the full picture. In other cases, however, because the real criminals are often overseas, out of state, or impossible to identify, they may push for restitution to the Connecticut victim as a condition of resolving the case. While it may feel unfair, restitution can sometimes be the compromise that keeps a client out of jail and avoids a permanent record.

As a final fallback, if a prosecutor is not fully convinced of your innocence and insists on pressing charges, I can often seek entry into Connecticut’s Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR) Program. This diversionary program gives first-time offenders a chance to complete a period of supervision and conditions (like community service or restitution) and then have the case dismissed. It’s not the first choice — my goal is always to prove you were a victim, not a criminal — but it is a powerful safety net that can protect your future.

Yes. Prosecutors often charge based on the act of moving funds, not whether you profited. The defense is showing you were misled and didn’t act with criminal intent.

Depending on the amount, you could face a felony conviction, probation, or even prison. But many cases can be reduced or dismissed if handled correctly.

Both are possible. If stolen checks or crypto cross state lines, federal investigators may get involved. Many start at the local level, like Stamford Police.

That’s exactly how these scams work. Emotional manipulation is central to the defense — showing that you acted under false pretenses and pressure.

No. Talking to police without a lawyer often makes things worse. Everything you say can and will be used against you. Never consent to police interrogations without the presence of an attorney to guide you. Let an attorney present your side with context and protection.

I can present evidence directly to detectives, show proof you were manipulated, and often convince them not to pursue charges at all.

Sometimes prosecutors agree to drop charges, but in other cases they may insist you pay restitution to the Connecticut victim since the real scammers are overseas and unreachable. While it may feel unfair, restitution can be a compromise that avoids a conviction and keeps you out of jail.

If prosecutors refuse to drop charges, I can often seek entry into the Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR) Program. This diversionary program allows you to complete a period of supervision or conditions (such as community service or restitution) and then have the case dismissed. It’s not a first choice, but it is an important safety net to protect your record and future.

You’ll need to come to court in Connecticut. The sooner you get representation, the better chance you have of minimizing consequences and proving innocence. If you live out of state, I can often arrange subsequent court dates virtually through Microsoft Teams.

Yes, if funds were moved into cryptocurrency, prosecutors may pursue money laundering statutes. This is where having a lawyer who understands both technology and the law is critical.

Cut off all communication immediately. Block them on every platform. Save the conversations as evidence but do not engage further.

I defend clients in Connecticut state and federal courts. If your case has Connecticut ties (such as a check stolen from a Stamford resident), you may need to fight the charges here — and that’s where I come in.

Being scammed is humiliating enough. Don’t let it spiral into felony charges that could ruin your future. With the right defense, we can prove you were the victim — not the criminal.

📞 Call Allan F. Friedman, Criminal Lawyer at (203) 357-5555 or contact me online for a free consultation.
If you’ve been contacted by police or fear you’re under investigation, call today.