A 64-year-old grandmother from Barrie, Ont. has been languishing in a Hong Kong prison for the past seven months, accused of smuggling cocaine inside her luggage. Suzana Thayer's family is fighting to prove her innocence, insisting the 64-year-old was lured overseas by a fake Internet boyfriend who arranged to have the luggage delivered to her as a gift.
Sadly, this was not the first time Thayer had been duped by online love. Years earlier, she gave more than $200,000 to a man she met on the Internet who claimed to be a doctor working for the United Nations.
Thayer actually wrote a book about her ordeal — I've Been Conned: Book for Dummies — to warn others about online romance scams. She is now living through the nightmare a second time.
Angela Thayer, Suzana's daughter, was a recent guest on Village Media's Inside the Village podcast. "If she is found guilty, it is basically a life sentence," Thayer said. "But she is innocent, and I know she is by the evidence that I have found. I am basically just working to get her home."
You can watch the full episode HERE.
Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.
Every episode is available on this news site /insidethevillage. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.
Have a comment or question? You can reach us at [email protected].
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