over months or in map tie tieio's case, years. >> -- manti te'o's case, years. >> a thought, fantasy in his head. >> reporter: private investigator says tieio is like many clients, the target of a cruel hoax. >> it's very hard for people to accept the fact that this pen doesn't exist. nothing is going to match up. you can send me to an address, it's not going to be the person. >> a person who wants something more than romance in return. >> there is money. they will always ask for money. >> she had clients send thousands of dollars to pay bills or buy gifts, tieio told espn said he never gave money to his so called girlfriend, she wanted to send him money. in most cases richie says once the money dries up, the scammer disappears and tieio's case, his girlfriend faked her death and broke his heart. >> they are truly embarrassed, they don't want to talk to friends and family, depleted the bank account and feel humiliated. >> joce sterman, abc2 news. >>> we want to bring lynette here, the weather is the big story today as people head out the door, they should be wanted. >>> the wintery m