He promised love, she lost her home: How a fake romance led to a $1.5M scam targeting seniors across state lines
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A single online message. A fictional oil rig. A promise of love, partnership—and millions.
But behind the romantic storylines and aliases like Jason Morris and Edward Lotts, investigators say there was only one person pulling the strings: Christine Joan Echohawk.
And now, she's facing the consequences of what authorities describe as one of the most egregious senior-targeted scams in recent Oklahoma history.
A Romance Turned Racket
Echohawk, 53, allegedly posed as multiple men in elaborate romance scams that targeted women aged 64 to 79, according to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
From late September through December 2024, officials say she scammed four elderly women out of a staggering $1.5 million.
Each victim thought they were helping a man they loved.
Instead, they were helping fund what prosecutors describe as a sophisticated money-laundering scheme run through personal accounts, crypto wallets, and even Apple gift cards.
Who Were “Jason Morris” and “Edward Lotts”?
One woman believed she was dating a man named Jason Morris.
He told her he owned an oil rig in Alaska and needed $120,000 to bring it back to shore.
He promised they would move in together once the rig returned. But there was no oil rig. And no Jason Morris.
Officials say it was all Echohawk, directing the woman to lie to her bank to secure the transfer.
Fortunately, the bank flagged the payment. But it was just one of many.
Also read: Scam Alert: The holiday credit card scams you need to watch for immediately!
Another victim, smitten with a man named Edward Lotts, sent over $600,000 to help him clear a fictional debt.
He told her he needed the money released before they could start their new life together.
She sold her paid-off home to help him. And she never saw the money—or him—again.
$250,000 and a Fake Portfolio from Syria
In yet another variation, Echohawk used the alias Glenn Goadard.
The backstory? He was supposedly an old college acquaintance.
The bait? A lucrative financial portfolio stuck in Syria.
To receive it, one woman was told she needed to send $250,000 to cover "expenses." She did.
And like the others, she never heard from Goadard again.
Also read: Watch out! This latest TSA scam targets holiday travelers
All Roads Lead Back to Oklahoma
Despite the national scope of the victims, it was a Stillwater bank branch that ultimately helped connect the dots.
Staff at MidFirst Bank flagged a suspicious $120,000 transaction from one of the women.
That led to a full-scale investigation by the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Unit, which uncovered Echohawk’s alleged use of multiple accounts to launder funds and convert money into cryptocurrency.
She was reportedly the sole signatory on the primary bank account used.
A Search, A Story, and a Twist
When law enforcement interviewed Echohawk in March, she asked if the charges would “all go away” if she repaid the victims.
Then, she shifted her story. She claimed she was also a victim—swept up in an online romance with someone named Maurice Dinero.
Echohawk said she'd sent money and received checks, wire transfers, and cash for him.
But when officers searched her purse, they found a different story.
Multiple bank cards tied to the accounts in question. A deposit slip for $110,000. Apple gift cards with barcodes revealed. And $500 in cash she hadn’t deposited yet.
Facing Decades Behind Bars
Echohawk now faces four felony counts of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and one count of violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.
Combined, the charges could bring up to 62 years in prison and $260,000 in fines.
She is currently being held in the Pawnee County Jail. It’s unclear whether she has legal representation.
Justice for the Victims
“These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious,” said Attorney General Drummond in a statement.
He credited his office’s Consumer Protection Unit for pursuing justice on behalf of the victims.
What You Can Do
At The GrayVine, we know our community values connection—but also safety.
If you or a loved one has been approached by someone online asking for money—especially under romantic pretenses—slow down.
Talk to someone you trust. Do a reverse image search of their profile picture.
And never send money, gift cards, or account details to someone you’ve never met in person.
Read next: Protect your inbox: How to spot and avoid USPS scam texts
Have you or someone you know encountered a romance scam? What steps have you taken to protect yourself online? Let’s talk in the comments—because knowledge, community, and caution can go a long way in keeping each other safe.
But behind the romantic storylines and aliases like Jason Morris and Edward Lotts, investigators say there was only one person pulling the strings: Christine Joan Echohawk.
And now, she's facing the consequences of what authorities describe as one of the most egregious senior-targeted scams in recent Oklahoma history.
A Romance Turned Racket
Echohawk, 53, allegedly posed as multiple men in elaborate romance scams that targeted women aged 64 to 79, according to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
From late September through December 2024, officials say she scammed four elderly women out of a staggering $1.5 million.
Each victim thought they were helping a man they loved.
Instead, they were helping fund what prosecutors describe as a sophisticated money-laundering scheme run through personal accounts, crypto wallets, and even Apple gift cards.
Who Were “Jason Morris” and “Edward Lotts”?
One woman believed she was dating a man named Jason Morris.
He told her he owned an oil rig in Alaska and needed $120,000 to bring it back to shore.
He promised they would move in together once the rig returned. But there was no oil rig. And no Jason Morris.
Officials say it was all Echohawk, directing the woman to lie to her bank to secure the transfer.
Fortunately, the bank flagged the payment. But it was just one of many.
Also read: Scam Alert: The holiday credit card scams you need to watch for immediately!
Another victim, smitten with a man named Edward Lotts, sent over $600,000 to help him clear a fictional debt.
He told her he needed the money released before they could start their new life together.
She sold her paid-off home to help him. And she never saw the money—or him—again.
$250,000 and a Fake Portfolio from Syria
In yet another variation, Echohawk used the alias Glenn Goadard.
The backstory? He was supposedly an old college acquaintance.
The bait? A lucrative financial portfolio stuck in Syria.
To receive it, one woman was told she needed to send $250,000 to cover "expenses." She did.
And like the others, she never heard from Goadard again.
Also read: Watch out! This latest TSA scam targets holiday travelers
All Roads Lead Back to Oklahoma
Despite the national scope of the victims, it was a Stillwater bank branch that ultimately helped connect the dots.
Staff at MidFirst Bank flagged a suspicious $120,000 transaction from one of the women.
That led to a full-scale investigation by the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Unit, which uncovered Echohawk’s alleged use of multiple accounts to launder funds and convert money into cryptocurrency.
She was reportedly the sole signatory on the primary bank account used.
A Search, A Story, and a Twist
When law enforcement interviewed Echohawk in March, she asked if the charges would “all go away” if she repaid the victims.
Then, she shifted her story. She claimed she was also a victim—swept up in an online romance with someone named Maurice Dinero.
Echohawk said she'd sent money and received checks, wire transfers, and cash for him.
But when officers searched her purse, they found a different story.
Multiple bank cards tied to the accounts in question. A deposit slip for $110,000. Apple gift cards with barcodes revealed. And $500 in cash she hadn’t deposited yet.
Facing Decades Behind Bars
Echohawk now faces four felony counts of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and one count of violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.
Combined, the charges could bring up to 62 years in prison and $260,000 in fines.
She is currently being held in the Pawnee County Jail. It’s unclear whether she has legal representation.
Justice for the Victims
“These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious,” said Attorney General Drummond in a statement.
He credited his office’s Consumer Protection Unit for pursuing justice on behalf of the victims.
What You Can Do
At The GrayVine, we know our community values connection—but also safety.
If you or a loved one has been approached by someone online asking for money—especially under romantic pretenses—slow down.
Talk to someone you trust. Do a reverse image search of their profile picture.
And never send money, gift cards, or account details to someone you’ve never met in person.
Read next: Protect your inbox: How to spot and avoid USPS scam texts
