That is a chilling realization to have, especially after such a romantic start. What you experienced is a classic example of “romance scamming” or financial grooming, where a partner builds emotional intimacy specifically to exploit their partner’s bank account.
The receptionist was your “Guardian Angel” that day, but it’s completely human to have ignored her. When we are in the “honeymoon phase,” our brains are flooded with dopamine and oxytocin, which can effectively blind us to red flags.
