“Sweetheart Scammer” Cons Elderly Man Out of Thousands of Dollars: BSO

Deputies said Michelle Nicholas pretended to be interested in an elderly man to use him for his money.

A woman who deputies call the "Sweetheart Scammer" has been arrested after she allegedly conned an elderly man out of thousands of dollars during what was supposed to be a romantic getaway.

Broward Sheriff's deputies said 46-year-old Michelle Nicholas pretended to have a romantic interest in 82-year-old John Deam, but she used it against him. Authorities said the victim gets confused easily because of his age.

Nicholas allegedly went on a trip to the Florida Keys on March 24th with Deam while his wife was out of town, according to the deputies. During the three-day trip, Deam bought Nicholas a Rolex watch worth $13,000 and paid for all the expenses, deputies said.

When they returned, deputies said Nicholas used Deam's identity to open a credit card under his name that listed her as an additional card holder.

On March 29, Nicholas allegedly convinced Deam to buy her a 2006 Lexus for $25,877.

Nicholas faces charges of grand theft and exploitation of the elderly. She is being held on $30,000 bond.

Anyone with additional information on Nicholas is urged to contact Detective Mitch Gordon at 954-321-4255 or Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or www.browardcrimestoppers.org.

Contact Us