Rita Fulciniti's cellphone won't stop ringing — and she couldn't be happier.

Torontonians and others from across the country have been reaching out to help the 66-year-old after CBC Toronto published her story Wednesday.

She was forced to live in a homeless shelter after a real estate agent borrowed her life savings and didn't pay her back.

"I feel better than I have the last 14 months," said Fulciniti. "I really appreciate everyone's help. It's going to be a Merry Christmas for me."

CBC Toronto has also received emails from people from Prince Edward Island to Victoria who would like to help Fulciniti in whatever little or big way they can.

One woman from Dundas, Ont., sent a message saying she doesn't have any money to give but would be happy to open her door to give Fulciniti a place to stay.

Chaim Smilovici, who also goes by the name Howard Smilovici, borrowed $95,000 from Rita Fulciniti in June 2015, but he didn't pay her back before she was supposed to close her condo deal, as they had agreed. (Facebook)

In March 2015, Fulciniti approached Chaim Smilovici — who also goes by the name Howard Smilovici, and was a real estate agent with Adenat Realty at the time — to find a tenant who would help cover the costs of the condo she was buying.

Fulciniti had put a down a $42,000 down payment a year earlier.

Smilovici found her a tenant, but he also asked to borrow $95,000 she had earmarked to help close the condo deal when construction of the building was complete.

In June 2015, she signed a loan agreement with Smilovici through his company, Maximum Sports Management Group Inc. The contract stipulated she would be repaid in full with a $5,000 cash bonus and an annual 12 per cent return on the loan.

"I haven't seen a cent from this guy," said Fulciniti.

She has been trying to contact the real estate agent for more than a year, but didn't hear from him until Wednesday after CBC Toronto published the story.

Smilovici calls Fulciniti after story

Fulciniti says she lost the condo she had put a down payment on near Bloor Street and Islington Avenue after Smilovici didn't pay back her $95,000 loan and she no longer had the funds to close the deal. (CBC)

"He said that he wanted to get me out of the shelter, number one, and get me some money," said Fulciniti. "I don't believe him a bit, because up until today I don't know where my money is.

"I would like him to come out straight up and tell me the money's gone and you're not going to see it again."

When contacted by CBC Toronto, Smilovici conceded he borrowed the money, but "the entire situation went backwards and the money is lost." Smilovici says he invested Fulciniti's money in a nightclub.

I would like him to come out, straight up and tell me the money's gone and you're not going to see it again. - Rita Fulciniti about Chaim "Howard" Smilovici

That's not the end of the story for some of the people looking to help Fulciniti.

The senior citizen has been contacted by at least three law firms looking to represent her, and a man who would like to cover her rent for a year.

Also, a couple of fundraisers have popped up on sites like GoFund Me and YouCaring.

'This is about a money trail'

Jack Bensimon and some Toronto lawyers want to help Rita Fulciniti by trying to figure out where the $95,000 she lent to Chaim 'Howard' Smilovici went. (CBC)

Jack Bensimon, a Toronto law expert involved with the YouCaring page started for Fulciniti, is joining forces with a few local lawyers and a forensic accountant to look at Fulciniti's case pro-bono.

"This is about a money trail, where the money went," Bensimon told CBC Toronto. "Rita needs somebody to be an advocate for her, somebody who understands the system."

In the meantime, Fulciniti is overwhelmed by how much people care.

"I thank the people and everybody who's tried to help me. I really appreciate it," said Fulciniti.

"I still have faith in people here in Toronto."