SCOTTSDALE, AZ – A woman from the Valley thought she had found love online, but instead, she became the victim of a romance scam. She met a man named Rob on a dating site, who seemed like the perfect partner at first. Their relationship progressed quickly, and he made her believe they would be together forever. However, her dream turned into a nightmare when she discovered that Rob was not who he claimed to be.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, learned in July that the man she had been dating was actually Robert Juliano, a fugitive wanted in New York for multiple offenses, including forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft. Juliano, known for targeting women in romance scams, was listed on New York’s Most Wanted list, and his mugshot revealed the truth about his identity.
Reflecting on her experience, the woman admitted to ignoring numerous red flags that, in hindsight, seemed obvious. She was swindled out of $30,000, spending the money on various trips that Juliano promised would be repaid. Despite his continuous assurances from July until recently, he never made good on his promises.
The last contact she had with Juliano was last Thursday. The woman expressed a sense of regained power now that he is in custody. Scottsdale Police, acting on a tip from New York investigators, arrested Juliano at a local hotel. He is currently held in Maricopa County Jail, awaiting extradition to New York.
For the woman, this ordeal is about more than just financial loss. It’s about holding Juliano accountable for his actions. She feels empowered now that he is behind bars and is determined to warn others about the dangers of online dating scams. She urges the community to remain vigilant, as there are others like him out there.
The New York Department of Corrections is working on his extradition, but the timeline for his return remains unclear. The woman remains hopeful that justice will eventually prevail.