Not everyone using online dating sites is looking for love. Scammers create fake online profiles using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They profess their love quickly. And they tug at your heartstrings with made-up stories about how they need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Why all of the tricks? They’re looking to steal your money.
As if all that isn’t bad enough, romance scammers are now involving their victims in online bank fraud. Here’s how it works: The scammers set up dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a “relationship,” they come up with reasons to ask their love interest to set up a new bank account. The scammers transfer stolen money into the new account, and then tell their victims to wire the money out of the country. Victims think they’re just helping out their soulmate, never realizing they’re aiding and abetting a crime.
Here are some warning signs that an online love interest might be a fake. They ask you to:
- chat off of the dating site immediately, using personal email, text, or phone
- wire money using Western Union or Money Gram
- set up a new bank account
Did you know you can do an image search of your love interest’s photo in your favorite search engine? If you do an image search and the person’s photo appears under several different names, you’re probably dealing with a scammer. And if the person’s online profile disappears a few days after they meet you, that’s another tip-off.
Here’s the real deal: Don’t send money to someone you met online — for any reason. If your online sweetheart asks for money, you can expect it’s a scam.
Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too common. There may be tens of thousands of victims, and only a small fraction report it to the FTC. If this happens to you, please report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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In reply to Ladies look out for Captain by Stormy
Gun...captain Samson right Had lot of them but I've never fall into there naught traps
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In reply to Wow this all sounds too by Lanise77
Omg....same guy who clamed to be jacob Adams a father of14 yrar old daughter. Wife died in cancer. Daughter in bording school and need ituen cards for some bs subscription and $7000 for his bs project. I have his pics but his englisg acent don't match his personality. Once he called and dogs wore barking in the back ground.
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In reply to Talking to guy in Syria. Says by Sean
Hi I think we might have the same guy. Bc I have a picture with a guy and his son. He said his wife died 3 years ago. He has a 6 year old son. He's a contractor engineer.
In reply to Hi by Margheritaelisha67
Really? WOW Good to know that? Did he tell you what his name was and his son?
In reply to Hi by Margheritaelisha67
Pagination