As Scam Alert previously reported, Lund was approached in a fast-food restaurant in late August by Kisie Peaches Tina John, 25, who flirted with him.Now, his money is gone -- a total of more than $300,000 -- and so is the lady who promised to marry him, the Citrus Heights man said.
"Everything she said is a lie," Tim wailed, accusing the woman of breaking his heart and his bank account.
Tim, a computer engineer who asked that his last name be withheld, said he was hustled by the woman for 3 1/2 years, until this spring.
Citrus Heights police said they are investigating the case as a possible sweetheart swindle -- a scam in which con artists pretend to fall in love with lonely people to gain their trust and money.
While most "sweetheart" victims are elderly gentlemen, Tim's case is unusual. He's only 34 and the woman he wants arrested is thought to be slightly older.
"Not only is he heartbroken because of feeling deceived ... but his finances are also ruined," said Brian Elmore, the Citrus Heights detective on the case.
Tim's trusting nature cost him dearly, Elmore suggested.
Sweetheart scams "are far more common" than people think, said Detective Jan Cater, a fraud expert with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
Only one in 10 victims of such scams reports the crime, Cater said. The rest are so humiliated, they remain silent.
"It's difficult to tell people you've been a victim because it's such a personal attack," she said.
And some victims are reluctant to prosecute. That seemed to be the case with Bob Lund, 73, of West Sacramento, who was bilked out of $136,000 after meeting a female scam artist last year.
As Scam Alert previously reported, Lund was approached in a fast-food restaurant in late August by Kisie Peaches Tina John, 25, who flirted with him.
The retired state worker fell in love with her and sought to please her, Yolo County authorities said.
At John's request, Lund withdrew $100,000 in cash from his bank and gave it to Steve John, a self-described auto broker, and to a second man.
Lund also bought a new, $36,000 pickup on credit for Kisie John and other members of her circle.
He then tried to buy a $65,000 Corvette for her, but at the last moment didn't. A salesman became suspicious and notified the California Highway Patrol.
Kisie John was arrested on Sept. 13, while visiting Lund.
Unable to post $100,000 bail, she stayed in the Yolo County jail until Oct. 8, when she pleaded no contest to abetting the swindle.
Lund requested mercy for Kisie John, describing her as a pawn. She was released without bail and then failed to appear for her November sentencing.
A no-bail warrant was issued for her arrest. Warrants also have been issued for Steve John and another alleged accomplice. All three remain at large.
Lund said he won't be in Kisie's corner any more.
"She's no good," he said Monday, adding he wants her prosecuted to the fullest extent.
First she must be caught.
A fast-food restaurant also was the setting for the initial encounter between Tim and the woman he said targeted him.
He met her Oct. 3, 1999, at a KFC restaurant in Citrus Heights, he said.
She and Tim exchanged phone numbers.
Soon, they began dating.
"I felt like God had put this woman in my path," said Tim, a devout Christian.
The woman claimed that she had lost her house to a fire, forcing her to live with her brother until she received an insurance settlement, he said.
In November 1999, she persuaded Tim to buy her a used 1997 Ford Explorer for $15,000, he said.
The following month, the woman had horrible news: A doctor had found a cancerous cyst that had to be removed.
"She said she had no medical insurance and needed $35,000 to pay for the surgery," Tim said. "She said she wanted to pay cash so she could get a discount."
She wouldn't reveal the name of her doctor or hospital, Tim said.
Tim sold $35,000 worth of his company's stocks, had the proceeds wired to his bank and then withdrew that amount.
The woman later said the operation failed. As a result, Tim said, he later withdrew $5,000 at a time to pay for more than a dozen radiation treatments that cost $5,000 each.
Before he wised up, he also bought her everything from a $7,500 engagement ring (which she later "lost") to another car.
Now, Tim is so broke, he no longer visits his bank. He withdraws $20 to $60 at a time from his ATM to pay for groceries.
Remember:
* Never provide private information to a stranger.
* Beware of new "girl friends" or "boy friends" who refuse to give you a photo of themselves.
Source: Sacramento County Sheriff's Department