When Trust Becomes a Target: How Scammers Exploit People with Dementia

What happens when a sophisticated scammer targets someone living with dementia? In this eye-opening episode of The Disappearing Mind, host Dawn Platt sits down with Mary, whose mother fell victim to a romance scam that evolved over four years—morphing from a fake military general to an impersonated celebrity. Mary shares the heartbreaking reality of watching her mother get manipulated, buy gift cards, and plan a new life in Italy with someone who never existed. But this isn't just a story about financial loss—it's about the impossible balance between protecting someone you love and preserving their dignity, the warning signs families miss, and why traditional advice often fails when dementia is involved. If you think this could never happen to your family, this episode will change your mind.