Heartless scammers use Apple gift cards to steal from Australian grandfather
A lonely grandfather was cheated out of his savings by brazen scammers who convinced him to hand over more than $1 million in gift cards just weeks before his death.
Adrian Heartsch, 77, was targeted by fraudsters who convinced him he would make more than $20 million in gold bars or gold bullion in return.
He died a broken man just a month after learning he had been scammed.
“It was like all this was the nail in the coffin, it was devastating for him, he lost his entire life savings,” said his son Simon. A current issue.
Mr. Heartsch, a former truck driver and grandfather of 11 children, had been saving for retirement.
Retired truck driver Adrian Heartsch was targeted by fraudsters who convinced him he would make more than $20 million worth of gold bars or gold bullion in exchange for Apple gift cards
“He went caravanning, he bought a really big GMC truck and a huge caravan, and was checking off some of his bucket lists,” his son Simon added.
Simon claimed that his father was always very sensible with money and did not even use internet banking.
“Unless he knew exactly what he was paying for, he wouldn't pay for it,” Simon said.
But somehow his father started talking online with a woman calling herself Vida.
'He was not alone, but he was lonely. He had no company, he didn't even have his dog to talk to anymore,” Simon said.
“So I think he's vulnerable in that way.”
“Vida” groomed Mr. Heartsch for months, calling him “handsome,” “baby” and “my love,” before convincing him to send her Apple gift cards with the promise of money in return.
She also promised him that she would come to Australia and live with him.
Mr. Heartsch would purchase up to $10,000 worth of Apple gift cards from stores in his area in one day (stock image)
Simon Heartsch said it was the 'final nail in the coffin' for his father, who died a month after learning he had been scammed
Simon discovered the 'baffling' evidence when his father was ill in hospital.
“The story grew from $300,000 to $600,000, to higher and higher… over a million dollars,” Simon added.
His father bought up to $10,000 worth of Apple gift cards in one day at stores in his area.
Simon said his father was 'embarrassed' and 'mortified' when he realized he had been scammed
His savings, his caravan and truck, were gone. All he had left was his house.
Mr. Heartsch's health continued to deteriorate and he died shortly afterwards.
A cybersecurity expert discovered that the scammers were operating from Ghana.
“They're ruining people's lives,” Simon said.
'They accelerate the death of people. They prey on the vulnerable. They're terrible people.'
Adrian was 'embarrassed' and 'mortified' when he learned he had been scammed