The $272,000 Heartbreak: Unmasking the Manhattan "Bumble" Serial Scammer

In a case that has shocked the New York legal community, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. recently announced the indictment of Brandon Dae Up Kiehm, 45, for a meticulously orchestrated romance scam that stripped a local woman of $272,000. The victim, who met Kiehm on the dating app Bumble, believed she was building a future and co-purchasing a home in Brooklyn. In reality, she was the target of a serial fraudster with a decade-long history of emotional and financial predation.

This incident serves as a definitive warning: modern romance fraud is not just "catfishing." It is a professionalized financial crime where offenders use manufactured intimacy to bypass a victim's natural defenses.

Conflict International USA specializes in dismantling these sophisticated deceptions. When "love" involves high-value assets or suspicious secrecy, our Digital Forensics, Identity Vetting, and Asset Tracing services provide the objective truth that emotional manipulation seeks to hide.

The Anatomy of the $272k Con: The Kiehm Playbook

Kiehm did not just ask for money; he built a believable life. According to court documents from December 2025, his operation involved multiple layers of fabrication:

1. The Professional Persona: Kiehm introduced himself as "Dae Up Lee Kim," a high-flying finance professional and Stanford graduate. This manufactured authority made his later financial "advice" seem credible.
2. The Real Estate Hook: He convinced the victim to "bid" on a Brooklyn home at auction. By tying the fraud to a legitimate-sounding property investment, he provided a rational justification for large wire transfers.
3. The Collusive "Broker": Kiehm directed the victim to send funds to a "broker," who was actually an associate. This external validation—the presence of a third party—is a hallmark of professionalized fraud.
4. The Rapid Cash-Out: Once the wires (totaling $272,000) hit the associate's account, the funds were withdrawn as cash or moved through joint accounts to break the paper trail.

Conflict International: Strategic Intelligence for Personal Security

When a relationship involves significant financial commitment, "trusting your gut" is rarely enough. Conflict International provides the specialized intelligence required to expose a career conman before the damage is irreparable.

1. Identity Attribution and Forensic Vetting

Kiehm was a repeat offender with a 2017 conviction for similar crimes. A professional vetting process would have identified:

• Previous Litigation & Convictions: We identify hidden aliases and criminal records that basic search engines miss.
• Credential Verification: We verify claims of education (e.g., Stanford) and professional licensure (e.g. FINRA/SEC filings) to ensure the person is who they claim to be.

2. Global Asset Tracing and Recovery

In cases like the Manhattan indictment, the priority is following the money.

• Flow-of-Funds Analysis: We trace transfers from legitimate accounts through "mule" networks and shell companies used by associates.
• Litigation Support: We build the evidentiary packages required by the Manhattan DA or federal authorities like the FBI to support grand larceny and identity theft charges.

Protecting Your Future: The Red Flag Checklist

Romance scammers rely on their victims keeping the relationship "private." Conflict International advises all high-net-worth individuals and families to watch for these "Bumble-specific" red flags:

• The Third-Party Request: If a romantic partner asks you to send money to a "broker," "attorney," or "associate," treat it as a high-risk event.
• Inconsistent Documentation: The victim in the Kiehm case eventually found a real ID card with his actual name. Never ignore discrepancies in mail, IDs, or digital footprints.
• The "Urgent" Opportunity: Whether it's a property auction or a crypto "tip," scammers use urgency to prevent you from conducting due diligence.
• Refusal to Meet in Specific Contexts: Be wary of partners who are "traveling for work" during critical financial moments, such as the property auction in this case.

In a world where deepfakes and professional scripts are the new norm, the truth is your only protection. Don't let a manufactured romance become a life-altering financial loss.

Contact Conflict International USA today for a confidential Relationship Vetting or Fraud Investigation consultation.