- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Minnesota Man Convicted in $31K Romance Scam on Elderly Florida Widower
Bradenton police say Benjamin Yakah must pay $31,000 in restitution to his 79-year-old victim.
Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:27pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A harsh, gritty close-up of the financial aftermath of a romance scam, exposing the human cost of these predatory schemes.Bradenton TodayThe Bradenton Police Department announced that Benjamin Yakah, a Minnesota man, has been convicted of grand theft for scamming a 79-year-old Bradenton widower out of $31,000 through a romance scheme. Yakah must now pay the full $31,000 in restitution to his elderly victim.
Why it matters
Romance scams often target vulnerable, elderly individuals, causing significant financial and emotional harm. This conviction highlights the importance of protecting senior citizens from these predatory schemes and holding perpetrators accountable.
The details
According to the Bradenton Police Department, Yakah was accused of developing an online romantic relationship with the 79-year-old Bradenton widower and then convincing the victim to send him $31,000 under the guise of various false pretenses. The police investigation led to Yakah's conviction on charges of grand theft.
- Yakah was convicted on April 15, 2026.
The players
Benjamin Yakah
A Minnesota man who was convicted of grand theft for scamming a 79-year-old Florida widower out of $31,000 through a romance scheme.
Bradenton Police Department
The law enforcement agency that investigated the case and announced Yakah's conviction.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to take advantage of our most vulnerable citizens.”
— Chief Samuel Speciale, Bradenton Police Department
What’s next
Yakah must pay the full $31,000 in restitution to his elderly victim.
The takeaway
This case highlights the need for increased awareness and protection against romance scams targeting senior citizens, as well as the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
