Newton quickly came into contact with a man named Omega, who wooed her with romantic conversation that wasn’t vulgar or obscene.

She said they spoke by telephone and via Web cam — “My mom even said ‘Hi’ to him” — and in November 2003, Omega sent Newton an elaborate bouquet of flowers on her birthday.

A few weeks later she received another bouquet from him, followed by chocolates and other goodies, plus Christmas gifts for Newton’s daughter.

And then Omega casually mentioned his birthday was approaching.

Newton said she was worried because she had no money to buy him a present, but was afraid to send nothing since he’d been so gracious to her.

So, she took on a debt she couldn’t afford and bought him a camcorder.

“I told him I don’t know how I can send it to you, since I can’t afford the postage,” Newton recalled.

Omega informed her that he had a Federal Express account, provided her the numbers and the camcorder was shipped off to him without cost.

He paid for her Internet connection when the service was threatened to be cut off for nonpayment.

The true nature of the relationship unfolded quickly after that, but Newton claims she was none the wiser.

The setup

One day Omega told her to expect a package delivery at her home that wasn’t for her. Instead, she said, he gave instructions for her to mail the package to him in South Africa.

When she questioned why he didn’t just have the package sent directly to him, Newton said Omega told her that some companies won’t send merchandise internationally.

Newton didn’t question it and did what he asked.

She accepted the delivery of computers from Advantec, a Massachusetts wholesale and distribution firm, allegedly purchased by Omega using the stolen identities and credit-card information of a New Jersey couple, according to Northumberland County District Attorney Anthony Rosini.