She found love online, then stole everything: How a dating app scam is targeting older men

When you think about romance scams, you might imagine obvious red flags—poor grammar, requests for money, or grainy photos stolen from the internet. But authorities in Los Angeles are warning about a far more sophisticated operation that's been targeting older men across the county.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has issued a special bulletin seeking alleged victims of Adva Lavie, who they say uses dating apps or sites to find her victims and poses “as a girlfriend or companion, and burglarizes their residence.” This isn't your typical online romance scam—it's an elaborate con game that plays out in person.

The suspect and her method

Lavie, a former Penthouse Pet who also goes by the names Mia Ventura, Shoshana, and Shana, has been accused of using her charm and good looks to gain access to victims' homes. The 29-year-old woman would meet older men on dating sites or apps to build trust before burglarizing their homes, according to law enforcement officials.

Authorities say she's known to drive a black Porsche SUV and a white Mercedes-Benz sedan, which would certainly project an image of success and legitimacy to potential victims. At 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 104 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, she cuts an attractive figure that likely helped her gain victims' trust.

A pattern of deception

What makes this case particularly troubling is the scope of the alleged crimes. Investigators believe there could be 10 or more victims out there, and according to Captain Dustin Karr with the sheriff's department, affluent elderly men “seem to be her primary demographic that she targets.”

The case came to light when one brave victim stepped forward to file a report nearly two weeks ago. Since then, “numerous victims have come forward,” according to Captain Karr, suggesting this operation had been running successfully for some time.

But Lavie's alleged criminal behavior wasn't limited to romantic encounters. During a podcast appearance, she allegedly went into the green room and stole cash and credit cards out of the purses of the other guests while cameras were rolling in the next room—a brazen act that shows the lengths she was allegedly willing to go.

The sophistication factor

What sets this case apart from typical romance scams is the level of sophistication involved. This wasn't someone asking for wire transfers or gift cards over the internet. Instead, authorities allege Lavie built genuine relationships with her victims, likely meeting them multiple times and earning their trust before striking.

This personal approach makes the crime both more devastating for victims and harder to detect. Unlike online-only scams, victims here formed what they believed were genuine emotional connections.

Red flags to watch for

While every situation is different, there are warning signs that something might not be right with an online romantic interest:

Watch for these concerning behaviors:

• Someone who seems too good to be true—exceptionally attractive, successful, or interested
  
• Reluctance to meet in public places initially
  
• Pushing to move the relationship to your home quickly
  
• Asking detailed questions about your finances or valuable possessions
  
• Having multiple aliases or conflicting personal information
  
• Owning expensive vehicles or items that don't match their stated profession
  
• Being evasive about their background or family

Also read: He promised love, she lost her home: How a fake romance led to a $1.5M scam targeting seniors across state lines

Protecting yourself while dating online

The reality is that millions of older Americans are finding meaningful relationships through dating apps and websites. You shouldn't let fear prevent you from making genuine connections, but you should take sensible precautions.

Smart dating practices include:

• Meet new people in public places for the first several dates
  
• Tell a trusted friend or family member about your plans
  
• Keep personal information private until you truly know someone
  
• Trust your instincts if something feels off
  
• Verify information they share about themselves
  
• Be cautious about anyone who quickly wants to visit your home

What to do if you're a victim

If you believe you've been victimized by Lavie or someone using similar tactics, law enforcement wants to hear from you. As Captain Karr emphasized, “If there's any victims out there that'd like to come forward, we're respecting your confidentiality. We understand the sensitive nature of what has occurred, and we just want our victims to come forward and feel confident in telling us what happened to them and their story.”

There's no shame in being targeted by a sophisticated criminal operation. These cases often involve people who are skilled manipulators, and falling victim doesn't reflect poorly on your judgment or intelligence.

Also read: Protect your heart and wallet: The truth behind the romance scam claiming countless victims

Moving forward with confidence

This case serves as an important reminder that romance scams are evolving. While people used to focus primarily on online-only cons, criminals are now using more sophisticated, in-person approaches that can be harder to detect.

The good news is that by staying informed and taking reasonable precautions, you can still enjoy the benefits of meeting new people while protecting yourself from those who would take advantage of your openness to connection.

Anyone with information about Adva Lavie or similar experiences is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at (818) 878-1808 or the Los Angeles Police Department at (818) 374-9500.

Read next:

• The new debit card scam that follows you home: Why fraudsters are now stealing from your porch
• She lost $57,000 in one day: How a phone scam targeted a woman in Oregon
• When affection turns to fraud: A retiree’s $47,000 heartbreak

Key Takeaways

• A Los Angeles woman, Adva Lavie (also known as Mia Ventura), is accused of using dating apps to befriend mostly wealthy elderly men before allegedly burglarising their homes.
• The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has received dozens of calls from victims across several demographics since the investigation began, indicating Lavie may have targeted multiple people in various jurisdictions.
• Lavie is suspected of stealing cash, credit cards, and easily concealed valuables, and has prior charges for similar alleged crimes; she is currently out on bond for a separate case.
• Authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim to contact the sheriff’s department, assuring that confidentiality and sensitivity will be maintained for those coming forward.

Have you or someone you know experienced a suspicious encounter while dating online? Or do you have safety tips that have worked well for you? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—your insights could help keep fellow readers safe while they're looking for companionship.