The Widder Curry at SeaWorld earlier this year.
Yup, that’s right. The OB Rag’s own columnist, the Widder Curry, has made the news. Judi Curry – who lives in southern OB – was interviewed by Channel 10 News after she called them to recount her story of being victimized by a “Catfish” scheme. She went to the local TV station in order to warn other women about the risks of “online dating”.
Here’s part of the story by Jennifer Jensen, with links to the full article.
Local woman duped by love in ‘catfish’ scam – She warns women to be leery on free dating sites
At 74 years old, she thought she had found love again, but instead a local woman may have been part of an elaborate scam. Judi Curry contacted 10News after being “catfished” or duped into believing she was chatting online with someone pretending to be someone else. She says her story should send a message for women who are looking for love on free online dating sites.
From her living room in Sunset Cliffs, Curry told 10News that she felt as if she had found love again. “I love you more with each passing day. Hugs and kisses,” she read from an online letter written to her. She thought she had been chatting online and on the phone with a man from Imperial Beach named Thomas Radcliff. She had never met him in person, but through their conversations, he had swept her off her feet.
“The love letters he sent me were absolutely beautiful,” she said. “They had said everything that any woman would want to hear. He said it very convincingly.”
Curry lost her husband, Bob, to lung cancer four years ago. She still wears his wedding ring around on a gold chain around her neck. They had been married for 46 years, so understandably, hearing such kind words and feeling wanted felt good. “I just felt wanted,” she said. “I felt like he really cared, and I was had.”
She quickly realized she was part of what is known as a “catfish” scam, where someone who pretends to be someone they are not uses social media to pursue deceptive online romances. Curry became suspicious when Radcliff called her by the wrong name. “‘Hugs and kisses, I love you more Paula,'” she said. But her name is not Paula, it is Judi.
Radcliff’s and Curry’s conversations abruptly ended not long after.
For the full story, go here.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh no, Judi, I am so sorry this happened to you. I love your articles and reviews,I am a faithful reader. I wish you hope and happiness for the holiday season.
I still think you should try taking up golf, Judi.
There comes a time in a woman’s life, when she sometimes realizes the love game has run it’s course and it might be time to pursue hobbies, traveling, volunteering for charities, or writing restaurant reviews for the OB Rag, in lieu of chatting online with various men who might be playing games. Especially since lovely Judi Curry has wonderful memories of a long and happy marriage. Do you realize how many females would long to have enjoyed a loving husband for so many years? It is sad that she is now a widow but Judi Curry is too precious a person to waste her loving heart on a catfishing scammer. Take a cruise with a girlfriend, Judi, & have Frank Gormlie pay for it as you plan to review the cruise ship fare for the OB Rag!
Thanks Gail and Debra and “another Gail”. I have two broken shoulders – plus shingles, so I can’t golf. I can only cook so much – my hobby; after all, if I cook something I have to eat it since there is no one else around to do so. Volunteering was ok – once. Didn’t get much satisfaction out of it. I got sea sick on the Star of India and the old Reuben E Lee, so even if I could get Frank to pay my way, it wouldn’t end up as much of a review. Travel – don’t like to do it alone, although with 399 students that I have hosted since 1992 I probably could have individual tour guides in almost every country. Yes, my marriage – the 2nd – was wonderful. That is why I would like to have a companion again. I don’t think love has run its course – yet – close, but give me a few more years. Thanks for your advice.
And Jim – ya know that what everyone talked about on 20/20, Dateline, etc. wasn’t going to happen to me. I’m too cynical; Yeah, Right! I have had the rule – “never date anyone younger than my youngest child” ; now I will have to add another one.
Happy Holidays to all of you.
Hmmm. Have you consulted Edward Ayub about the rehab benefits of playing golf? If he says “no,” okay. (For the Shingles, I suggest using Colloidal Silver). Otherwise, I think there are probably a bunch of unattached men, your age bracket, who would probably love to have a nice, intelligent, lady companion, that happens to be a good cook to boot! (Please, just give it a serious thought…)
Funny, Debra. I am on my way to the Ayub’s for dinner. Just thought I’d check my emails before I leave. I will ask him. (BTW – he is my physical therapist.) Will check out the Colloidal Silver tomorrow!) I am thinking about it….. Judi
(Also, for the Shingles try Extra Virgin Coconut Oil–sold on Amazon for about $7-8, or a lg tub at Costco is about $20. It’s very buttery tasting, you can eat a couple of teaspoons a day and apply it topically. Coconut Oil has anti-viral properties, as does the Colloidal Silver).
Thank you….
These warnings about on-line dating have circulated online , in print, on TV shows like 20/20, Dateline , 60 Minutes , GMA , Dr. Phil, Oprah, and a load of other outlets and forms for 10 years…..To get sucked into something like this is inexcusable.
The basic rule of thumb is if you cant meet the person after a week or so of correspondence dump the turd.