“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 released on bond after she was arrested for allegedly conning 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. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney. Bond was set at $30,000.

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.

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