How a Christian Nonprofit Helped an 80-year-old Overcome AI Fraud and Find Hope

It was a dark December day when Ralph* walked into the Love In the Name of Christ Montgomery County (Love INC) office. At 80 years old, Ralph had long navigated the darkness of deafness—learning to read lips and leverage technology to connect with a world that often rushes past those who are deaf or hard of hearing. But now, a new darkness threatened to engulf him entirely.

The Pain

A large sum of money had been deposited into Ralph’s account—money he desperately needed. But the bank had frozen his assets. When he sought help at Love INC, the team member he encountered happened to be a lawyer. Prompted by love and the Holy Spirit, this legal advocate suggested they go straight to the bank. Upon arrival, the bank manager explained that increasing deposits—up to $30,000—had triggered a fraud alert in their system.

The Predicament

Dial back two years. Computers can be a tremendous asset to the hearing impaired, offering a clear means of communication via screen. But in Ralph’s case, the very AI technology that often aids those with special needs had been turned against him by wicked hearts seeking to exploit the vulnerable. Using harvested digital data about Ralph, an AI bot—impersonating a friend—offered him a seemingly unique “business opportunity,” enticing him with the promise of fast money. Ralph responded, and over time, was gradually drawn in. As deposits appeared in his account, he began to trust the scammer, unaware he was being lured into a tightening noose.

Receiving what appeared to be genuine profits, Ralph borrowed extensively from friends, trusting in a promised larger payout. Now, at 80, learning that he had been scammed and was $100,000 in debt to various friends overwhelmed him like a flood. The darkness of death seemed the only way out.

The Provision

Love In the Name of Christ Montgomery County mobilized resources, initiating help on three tracks: pastoral care, financial counseling, and free legal support from Good Samaritan Advocates. In addition to contacting the FBI, the Love INC legal advocate stayed in close contact with Ralph, helping him delete messages and block the incessant, ongoing requests from the scammer’s bot.

Fortunately, Ralph’s strong work ethic had secured him meaningful employment—he was known and valued at his workplace. A church financial counselor worked with him to create an 18-month plan to repay his debts.

The Praise

“Ephphatha!” (“Be opened!”)—Jesus spoke these words to the deaf man in Mark chapter 7. Ralph’s story is not primarily one of deliverance from insurmountable debt, but of a lost sheep, wandering in a dark valley, sought and rescued.

Ralph had placed his hope in security, pleasure, and satisfaction through money—until he discovered these could be found in Jesus Christ alone. By trusting in Jesus’ perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Ralph experienced true salvation and freedom.

His soul, once suffocating in darkness, was drawn back into light and life through the many hands extended in the name of Christ. Today, Ralph is the first to arrive for weekly Love INC MoCo prayer meetings each Wednesday morning, staying afterward to encourage others. With irrepressible joy, he freely declares the praises of God and the hope found only in the gospel of Christ.