An Italian man has been scammed over €700,000 (RM3 million) over 15 years after he was duped to believe that he has been dating a Brazilian supermodel.

A 15-year long scam

According to a report in LadBible quoting news reports, professional volleyball player from Milan, Roberto Cazzaniga believed that he had been in a long-distance relationship with ‘Maya’ for 15 years.

Maya was introduced to him over the phone by a mutual friend named Manuela.

Manuela used photos of Brazilian supermodel and former Victoria's Secret 'Angel' Alessandra Abrosio to identify Maya.

It's amazing that in that 15 years, he has not come across images of the famous supermodel and seen the scam for what it is.

Falling for the photos, Cazzaniga, who has never met the woman, claimed that they were engaged.

Furthermore, Cazzaniga has sent her luxurious gifts and financial aid for years.The gifts include a brand new Alfa Romeo Mino and financial aid for medical expenses to treat a supposed heart ailment.

Eventually, burdened with debts, he came clean to the authorities and was told that he has been scammed.

Cazzaniga also went public with his revelations on Italian TV.

"I have so many debts, it's not easy 'waking up from a coma,'" he said tearfully.

Image credit: Glamour

Cazzaniga was reportedly so into the woman that his brother saw him crying in his room because “he had fallen in love with a beautiful woman, but she was currently in the ICU being prepped to undergo a cardiac operation."

The report said Manuela helped organise the scam by introducing Cazzaniga to the scammer that goes by the name 'Valeria'.

From what we can gather from a Google-translated version of Cazzaniga's Facebook, an intervention from friends and family was needed for the player to finally accept the truth.

There's also a GoFundMe page to help him collect funds to pay off his debts.

Be careful, people! If someone you've never met asks for money, say no.