Larry Sorenson lost over $1 million to a scam that began with a wrong number text in July 2025. He was a recently widowed 71-year-old who spent months building what he believed was a genuine relationship before investing. What does Larry's story most clearly show about who these scams target?

Larry was a retired business owner, not someone unfamiliar with the world or with financial decisions. His vulnerability came from grief and isolation, not from a lack of intelligence or care. These scams are specifically designed to exploit the human need for connection. They work on careful, experienced people because they operate over a long time and build genuine emotional attachment before any financial request is made. Grief and loneliness do not make someone less capable. They make someone more receptive to connection, which is exactly what scammers look for.