ST. JOHNS, Florida — A woman from St. John’s believed she had discovered love, but soon found herself heartbroken and significantly out of pocket by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The woman remains unnamed and her face undisclosed owing to privacy and harassment concerns. She claims the man she considered her boyfriend allegedly deceived her financially during their 6-month relationship.

“You just never know,” she said. “You can be a victim of a fraud or of this whole manipulation and fake relationship.”

The individual she claims as her boyfriend is 35-year-old Edit Manjic from St. John’s County. St. John’s County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended him in July on charges associated with grand theft and scheming to defraud.

“During our time dating, my family had an odd feeling about him,” the woman stated. “They sensed something was wrong, something seemed off since he always had excuses for not wanting to meet my family.”

She says she met Manjic while shopping at a local car dealership and the two quickly fell into a relationship.

“He started calling me the very same day that he really liked me,” she said. 

But she says it didn’t take long for Manjic to begin asking her for large sums of money for fake financial emergencies and business ventures.

“He asked me for $5,000,” said the woman. “Then it escalated to more, more, and I didn’t even realize how money was just leaving.”

First Coast News contacted Manjic for a response. He denies the accusations but declined further comment due to the impending court proceedings. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 1st.

“Listen to your heart. If something feels off, pause. Ask a family member for advice,” the woman advised. 

SJSO office is still investigating. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, reach out to law enforcement right away.