What began as a simple takeout order quickly turned into a financial nightmare for a metro Atlanta mother, highlighting the growing risks of sophisticated online scams.
Nina Lloyd says she lost nearly $10,000 after attempting to place a food order through Bonchon, a popular Korean fried chicken chain. Instead of completing her order, she was unknowingly redirected to a fraudulent verification page that led to a devastating loss.
“I never would have thought that placing an online order would have turned into an absolute nightmare for my family,” Lloyd told 11Alive.
According to her account, the scam unfolded rapidly. While checking out on her phone, she was prompted to verify her bank details on what appeared to be a legitimate third-party page. Within minutes, she received a notification that a $9,900 wire transfer had been initiated from her account—something she insists she never authorized.
“I didn’t believe that it was real at all,” she said. “I was like, this has to be some type of mistake.”
But the transaction was real—and the consequences immediate.
Lloyd explained that the stolen funds were not disposable income, but a crucial safety net. The money had been a gift from a recently deceased relative, intended to support her family during a difficult time. Compounding the situation, her husband had just lost his job days earlier.
“We were actually really relieved that we did have a little bit of cushion and security,” she said. “And now we have literally nothing.”
Since the incident, Lloyd has been working with her bank in an effort to recover the funds, though there is no guarantee the money will be returned. In the meantime, she is speaking out to warn others about how easily scammers can exploit even routine online activities.
“I always thought the safest way to order food was going directly through the website,” she said, noting that she avoided third-party delivery apps to reduce risk and extra fees. “But clearly, that’s not always the case.”
Cybersecurity experts warn that phishing scams and fake verification pages are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking legitimate websites to trick users into revealing sensitive financial information. Once access is gained, fraudsters can initiate transfers within seconds—leaving victims with little time to react.
Lloyd hopes her experience serves as a cautionary tale.
As online ordering continues to grow in popularity, her story underscores a sobering reality: even everyday digital transactions can carry hidden dangers, and a single click can have life-altering consequences.
