Greg's Corner

Scam Victim Poisoned Over Fake Inheritance

By Greg Collier

Scams are often associated with financial loss, embarrassment, and frustration, but their impact can sometimes reach far deeper, leading to actions driven by fear, betrayal, and desperation. While most scams don’t end in tragedy, the case of Steven Riley Jr., who was fatally poisoned by his partner after falling for a fake inheritance scheme, highlights the lethal potential of deception.

In this instance, Riley believed he was about to inherit $30 million from a distant relative, an offer presented to him through an email from someone posing as a lawyer. However, this promise of wealth was nothing more than a carefully crafted advance fee scam. Scammers behind such schemes lure victims with the promise of a large inheritance, but the payout never materializes. As the deception unfolds, the supposed lawyer or intermediary typically demands fees, often labeled as taxes, processing charges, or legal expenses, before releasing the funds. Victims who trust the scammer often make payment after payment, believing the reward is just within reach.

Riley was poised to meet the so-called lawyer at an airport to finalize the transfer, convinced the inheritance was real. The scammer likely intended to escalate the scheme by demanding further payments once trust was established. Unfortunately, Riley never got the chance to realize he was being conned.

The fallout from this scam took a disturbing turn when Riley’s girlfriend, Ina Kenoyer, poisoned him, believing he intended to leave her once he secured the inheritance. Their relationship had deteriorated over time, and the promise of sudden wealth acted as a final breaking point. Fueled by a sense of betrayal and entitlement, Kenoyer poisoned Riley with antifreeze, masking it in sweet tea. She delayed his access to medical care, insisting he was suffering from heat stroke, until it was too late. The scam set the stage for a tragic sequence of events that ended with Riley’s death and Kenoyer’s arrest for murder.

Though this case may seem extreme, it serves as a powerful reminder of how scams can push people toward desperate, even deadly, actions. Scams often play on human emotions such as greed, trust, fear, or hope, drawing victims into webs of deceit. In some cases, the psychological strain can drive individuals to actions they never would have considered under normal circumstances. In Riley’s case, the lure of wealth and the belief that it was slipping away resulted in a tragic betrayal.

The tragedy of this case is not just in the loss of life, but in the realization that scams can lead to far more than financial ruin. They can fracture relationships, erode trust, and, in rare but devastating cases, drive people to irreversible decisions. Raising awareness about the tactics used in these scams is essential to preventing future harm. Recognizing the red flags, such as unsolicited emails promising sudden wealth, can help individuals avoid falling into the same traps.

Scams thrive in the shadows of hope, desperation, and greed. This case stands as a stark reminder that falling for them can have consequences far beyond what anyone might expect.