Woman charged over WOW love

By Tom Bramwell Published 3 July, 2007

She was 31, he was 17.

An Australian woman who forged a relationship with a younger World of Warcraft player has been arrested in the US as she attempted to meet with the chap and his family.

31-year-old Tamara Broome had met the 17-year-old in Azeroth when he was a year younger, and News.com.au - who we're nicking all this off, obviously - claimed that he had previously attempted to fly over there, and that they aimed to get married.

A week ago Broome left Australia for the US so that, in the words of her housemate, "they could sort it all out" with the parents. She claims that the teenager's folks even arranged the trip.

As it was, she was arrested when she attempted to board a train near their home in North Carolina, and is now being held on a USD 2.35 million bond and could go to jail for more than two years if found guilty of attempting to abduct a child.

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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (60) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • souljacker2000 #1 5 years ago

    is he still classed as a child at 17 in OZ???? or US@?
    Edited by souljacker2000 at 03/07/07 @ 10:25

  • Dreddnaught #2 5 years ago

    Wait a minute, playing videogames GETS you chicks ????

    Must re-evaluate where the F**K I've gone wrong.....

  • urban #3 5 years ago

    in my opinion he's not a child
    soon as he says he wants to get married
    give the fucking guy a mortgage and send him on his way

    @jacker: US.
    Edited by urban at 03/07/07 @ 10:28

  • robg #4 5 years ago

    Aside from the ease with which this relationship can be viewed as being bizarre and unhealthy (desperate woman meets young, naive man? Never heard of anything like this before), this seems a bit harsh, as given the current facts it doesn't sound anything like abduction. Doesn't sound clever, wise or thought-through, but from a legal perspective this sounds like a farce.

    However, if it turns out the parents were unaware/against the meeting then that's much more of a problem.

  • zuljin #5 5 years ago

    @Dreddnaught
    Playing video games gets you this chick:
    [link url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/07/02/1183229010185.html
    ]http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/07/0...[/link]

    Still envious?

  • Dreddnaught #6 5 years ago

    But can she cook ?

    ;)

  • souljacker2000 #7 5 years ago

    Who cares if she can cook... im sure all he thought was any holes a goal

  • AcidSnake #8 5 years ago

    @zuljin:

    Yeah, he can keep her...

    Anyway isn't 2.35 million a bit over the top?

    Sounds to me like the parents set her up...

  • spongebob #9 5 years ago

    A woman who plays WOW at 31 is definitely suitable for a 17 year old guy. And it's not like he was 13 or even 15. He's almost 18. Maybe marrying is pushing it, though.

  • Freelancepolice #10 5 years ago

    LFM 17/m/Orc MC run

  • GiarcYekrub #11 5 years ago

    Besides, any WoW player could tell you in a 18/31 spread, the experience would be lousy anyway.

  • skillian #12 5 years ago

    Teen nerd scores hot older woman/elf.

    Poor boy. Will he ever get over this horrid tale of abuse?

  • jonsaan #13 5 years ago

    Not only that. She will most likely be labelled a paedo in the US from now on.

  • the-fell #14 5 years ago

    Bet she's missing WoW now, no internet connection in the prison I'd wager - oh noes can't log on!!!11oneeleven ;)

  • chicknstu #15 5 years ago

    Wrong, extremely wrong. It shouldn't be illegal to date whoever the hell you want at 16/17, and the boys parents should butt the hell out of his life....

    Sorry, did I go off on one...
    Edited by chicknstu at 03/07/07 @ 10:54

  • jonsaan #16 5 years ago

    Those same parents probably keep guns in the house too..

  • space_ace #17 5 years ago

    wow!

  • Kami #18 5 years ago

    As sad as it sounds, it's the law of the land there. I completely agree it will be a massive farce if this makes it to court, as online love/dating and the like isn't a new thing (the WoW go-between makes no difference really, just added information).

    Everything else sounds like a case set to implode. And my stance? If he wants to go off with this lady, why not? He's gotta learn to survive on his own in a relationship then. Some do choose the hard way to learn...

  • hp_on_toast #19 5 years ago

    And if it were a 31 year old man going halfway across the world to take home a 16 / 17 year old girl?


    Anyway, back to real life. He's young, foolish and following his instincts. She should really know better at almost double his age than to suggest he fly away from home to live with her forever. That's alot different from just dating who you want BUT she doesn't deserve to get arrested like that when she was clearly on a trip to sort things out with his parents.

    Kind of reminds me of the South Park episode in which Ike dates his teacher...

  • zuljin #20 5 years ago

    Whoa to the people that think its ok...

    Put it this way: Would you mind if a 31 year old guy tried to abduct your 17 yr old daughter? Thought so. Granted they are just allegations at the moment, but they should still be taken seriously.

    EDIT: darn you hp
    Edited by zuljin at 03/07/07 @ 11:30

  • vegard #21 5 years ago

    inmates will undoubtedly pee in her butthole.

  • souljacker2000 #22 5 years ago

    @vegard

    I was thinking the same dirty lasses

  • Kami #23 5 years ago

    "And if it were a 31 year old man going halfway across the world to take home a 16 / 17 year old girl?"

    Legal age in the UK is 16. So whilst yes, an eyebrow or two would be raised at a 17 year old girl running off with a 31 year old man, there's nothing much illegal in what they'd be getting up to. She'd just need to wait until 18 to marry without parental consent, is all, plenty of time to live together and see if it works. Moving across the globe is another issue entirely, but seeing as how I was in care I never really had a parental guidance issue. So forgive me if I can't relate to that.

    But as you say, if she was off to discuss with the parents they over-reacted. Badly.

    I know it's the law over there... but I still maintain it's stupid.
    Edited by Kami at 03/07/07 @ 11:36

  • Zuiyo #24 5 years ago

    C'mon. That chick works for Blizzard. This is a PR stunt. Can see that from this far.

  • Nillsens #25 5 years ago

    lol internet

  • The-Bodybuilder #26 5 years ago

    2 years? That's a bit much isn't it?

    Here in the UK, a peado who molests a baby can be out in less than that. And a reckless driver who kills an entire family can get just a few months.

  • SBfistfun #27 5 years ago

    N00b freaks

  • nickthegun #28 5 years ago

    Its like every south park episode combined. Niiiiicccccccccceeee.

    On a different note, i bet shes a looker...

  • SBfistfun #29 5 years ago

    I'd raid her dirty dungeon

  • skillian #30 5 years ago

    Whoa to the people that think its ok...

    Put it this way: Would you mind if a 31 year old guy tried to abduct your 17 yr old daughter?

    Like it or not, it's different when it's a young girl and older man. And really, no one was getting 'abducted' here...

  • WrongShui #31 5 years ago

    LF1M MARRIAGE, GOT DRESS

    She looks like a psycho.

    Score!
    Edited by WrongShui at 03/07/07 @ 12:09

  • psychokitten #32 5 years ago

    Messed up "relationship", but abduction? Riiiight.

  • chrisjm #33 5 years ago

    God bless america, the land of the free.

    OH WAIT...

  • Canyarion #34 5 years ago

    She's not that ugly. Not bad for somebody of 31 who doesn't smile on the photo.

    Anyway, America is weird.

  • MrBiggles #35 5 years ago

    I was seeing a 40 year old horny milf for sexual encounters when I was 28. America is still in the dark ages when it comes to sex. You can get married at 16 over here, yet in America you can't shag until you're 18, can't drink until you're 21. No wonder they go around killing each other and starting wars.

  • Lateralaus #36 5 years ago

    what a joke

  • stormuk #37 5 years ago

    America is funny like this one rule for one and one rule for another

    If the other happens to be a group of religious inbred nutters ie the Southern bit

  • zuljin #38 5 years ago

    @skillian
    "Like it or not, it's different when it's a young girl and older man. And really, no one was getting 'abducted' here..."

    No its not different. Both would be a minor in the eyes of the law, and the whole abduction thing is what the parents are alleging, and ultimately it looks like that is what the court will be deciding.

    @ManicMiner
    Why is it a stupid argument? Like someone mentioned before about SouthPark, people seem to think its wrong for an underage girl to be seduced, but a boy? Rock on! The fight for sexual equality continues.

  • Singularity #39 5 years ago

    17 year old bloke + older woman = victimless crime.

  • Psi #40 5 years ago

    I remember when I was 15 and was taken to bed by two 21 year old athletic blonde girls that were bisexual.

    Those sick fucks should be locked up for life, and me with them :)
    Edited by Psi at 03/07/07 @ 13:08

  • agparrot #41 5 years ago

    Peter Stringfellow still at large.

  • skillian #42 5 years ago

    People seem to think its wrong for an underage girl to be seduced, but a boy? Rock on! The fight for sexual equality continues.

    Dude, it's not about sexual equality, it's about the difference in sexual habits betweenn men and women.

    If you had sex with a hot older woman when you were 15 (let alone 17, like this 'kid'), do you really think you'd be emotionally scarred by it now? Be honest here

  • Emth #43 5 years ago

    "Put it this way: Would you mind if a 31 year old guy tried to abduct your 17 yr old daughter?"

    Hey, abduct is a strong word. Read the story, does it really sound anything like an abduction to you? America is such a great place.

  • skillian #44 5 years ago

    I remember when I was 15 and was taken to bed by two 21 year old athletic blonde girls that were bisexual.

    I hope you were able to get over this tragic event. Don't forget counselling can be a great help if you ever need someone, even if it's just to talk.

  • FunkyRenegade #45 5 years ago

    I'd lol if she hadn't logged out in an inn.

  • zuljin #46 5 years ago

    @skillian
    "If you had sex with a hot older woman when you were 15 (let alone 17, like this 'kid'), do you really think you'd be emotionally scarred by it now? Be honest here"
    Oh ffs. Like I said. Its about equality. Your wording already shows flaws in your argument. Let me ask you this:

    Would you be emotionally scarred if you had sex with a fugly woman when you were 17 and she was 31?

    Would you be emotionally scarred if you had sex with a woman when you were 8 and she was 31?

    Would you be emotionally scarred if you had sex with another man when you were 17 and he was 31?

    Be honest here. So if yes, where on earth do you draw the line? The law draws the line when a person becomes an adult. 18 then.

    @Emth
    "Hey, abduct is a strong word."
    I know its a strong word. Its what some of the articles are saying the parents are trying to charge her with. Don't shoot the messenger here... It may turn out that all she tried to do was meet up with him, case closed and done.

    EDIT: Schpelling booboos.
    Edited by zuljin at 03/07/07 @ 14:08

  • promoted2001 #47 5 years ago

    mmmm sticky geek love

  • HelloWorld #48 5 years ago

    She's not that fit, but maybe that's as good as he could get.

  • souljacker2000 #49 5 years ago

    a 17yr old wow player! im surprised he could get a woman, it hink its a man in disguise

  • Daryoon #50 5 years ago

    Hold on, don't men reach the height of their sex drive at 18, while with women it's at 30?

    So, from that point of view, it's exactly what nature intended!

  • AOFanboi #51 5 years ago

    Um, can people read? If she went to the U.S., shagged his balls blue in his room and left, there would not be a problem (unless it was one of four 18-limit states). It is the "marry and taking the boy back to Aus" bit that is illegal - without the parents' consent at any rate.

  • vane101 #52 5 years ago

    Bl**dy hell! If she was that desperate, I'd have banged her!!! :)

  • Dangher #53 5 years ago

    Luverly US! Brilliant! Every day is a bleeping joke in the US of A. The land of the free! Right... The land of the rampant lawyers and money grubbing surgeons. Ordinary people be damned! This is not even funny anymore...

    Edit: And after all this the Americans are making big eyes, wondering 'why are we not welcome in (insert country name here)'. Idiots. First elect a president that does not become a target for bird droppings.
    Edited by Dangher at 04/07/07 @ 00:15

  • QotSAfan #54 5 years ago

    She really needs to get out more, like a lot.

  • Krun #55 5 years ago

    @zuljin
    FYI
    In Australia the age of consent is 16 same as it is in the UK.

    I doubt he would be emotionally scared, seeing as he wanted to do this.

    And since when is visiting someone who wants to see you illegal?

    And what's up with thinking its ok to arrest people BEFORE they commit crimes? What is she a terrorist now?
    Edited by Krun at 04/07/07 @ 03:33

  • Sl1pstream #56 5 years ago

    Legally, this is just as bad as a 31-year old man trying to "abduct" a 17-year old girl, sexual maturity and all those things don't really matter. The problem is that, if she knew his age, she pretty much knew she could get arrested. While it might seem stupid to arrest her for this, this is perfectly legal and would've been the same in many other countries, not just the US.

    I really hope she doesn't get convicted though, as she really shouldn't. Like the article said, it's most likely a set-up by the parents, which makes it even worse.
    Also, she really doesn't look all that bad.
    Edited by Sl1pstream at 04/07/07 @ 07:12

  • masterson #57 5 years ago

    Gotta love a country where you can go and shoot arabs for their oil at 17, but are still considered a child at that age when it comes to affairs of the heart.
    Bless 'em - I actually think it's kinda sweet. One of the interesting aspects for me of an MMO "community" is the irrelevance of age/gender/nationality/sexuality when building friendships. It's obviously a bit unusual, but I fail to see how it is "wrong" or even illegal (given that she was on her way there, not running off after corrupting his innocence). As many have said, I'd have leapt at the chance at his age.
    Would I feel different if it was my child? Probably. But a protective twinge of hypocrisy is quite natural when it comes to one's own offspring. Good luck to 'em both, and a hearty "fuck you" to some of the mean spirited and/or alarmist nutters posting here.

  • Meho #58 5 years ago

    Um... abduction????

    From the article:

    "A week ago Broome left Australia for the US so that, in the words of her housemate, "they could sort it all out" with the parents. She claims that the teenager's folks even arranged the trip."

    Where exactly does abduction fit in here???

    Now this is from the original Australian news site:

    "It is believed Tamara Broome, 31, might have been set up by the boy's parents.

    Ms Broome told her housemate they paid for her to travel to the US this week so "they could sort it all out".

    Instead, Ms Broome was met by three detectives as she tried to board a train near the teenager's home town in North Carolina.

    She was charged with attempting to abduct a child after a 17-year-old boy was caught trying to board a flight to Australia. "

    Which is, admittedly more confusing. When was he caught trying to board a flight to Aussie???

    Anyway, pretty weird altogether...

  • zuljin #59 5 years ago

    @Krun
    "In Australia the age of consent is 16 same as it is in the UK."
    What does that have to do with anything? He is a minor in the US and all this took place in the US.

    "And since when is visiting someone who wants to see you illegal?"
    Visiting isn't. Abducting is. Again though, these are allegations. I was reading various other news sites on this that give a different perspective, just follow some of the links posted on this comments thread. My earlier link started with "Accused Australian child abductor Tamara Broome...".

    I agree however that yes all of this does sound in some way like a setup on the parents part, and of course, if that is all that happened I hope she does go free.

  • Psi #60 5 years ago

    end of the day she's clearly fucking barking.

    she looks worse than nick noltie in her police photo.

    if nick noltie was to fly half way across the world to touch the swim suit areas of your 17 year old child you'd want them locked up too.

    Chris Even's banged doctor who's mate for years and they never locked him up