Romance and Dating Scams are a growing problem in the world we live in. In these situations, the scammer plays on the potential victim's emotions. They know that the potential victim is looking for love or a strong relationship, so they use all of the right words to convince the potential victim that they truly care for them. Many of the scammers will use pictures found on others profiles or even modeling sites as their profile. They will also use a variety of fake names, and some scammers could be operating several "profiles" and names at once.
Many internet scammers will look at the profiles of their potential victims and use the information in their profile to hook them into their scam. For example, if someone was to mention in a profile on a dating website that they are a religious person the scammer will often proclaim that they feel like “God brought them together” which plays into the potential victims faith.
Once they believe that the potential victim is emotionally connected to them, they will tell them that they need money for some reason . . . they were in an accident and have medical and legal fees to pay or simply to pay for a plane ticket so that they finally meet in person. The scammer will ask the potential victim to wire them money, and sometimes will even promise to pay it back as soon as possible. Since the potential victim is emotionally invested in this relationship they want to do whatever they can to help out this person that they love.
If you are using the internet as a tool to find a new relationship, make sure that you learn the warning signs of Romance and Dating Scams such as
• They call you by the wrong name, or only call you “dear” so as to not mistakenly call you the wrong name.
• They claim to be in love with you after just a few emails.
• Conversations quickly go from love and relationships to asking for financial assistance.
• Details that they talk about do not match up with the information in their profile.
• They ignore or do not answer any of your personal questions about their life.
• They ask you for bank account information, or to open a bank account for them.
• They ask you to cash a check for them and wire then the money.
Finally, one of the best defenses that you have against these Internet Scammers is the internet itself. There are many websites where visitors can post information about scammers, and by running such a search on their name, email address or phone number you may find out that your new “love” is a scammer before they have the chance to destroy you both financially and emotionally.
This is a Guest Post by Shawn Mosch.Shawn Mosch is a scam victim turned Victim’s Advocate who, along with her husband Jeff, works to educate people about internet scams. After their personal experience with a counterfeit cashier’s check scam in 2002, Shawn spent countless hours searching for resources and support for victims of these scams. The lack of information and resources available at the time was the motivating factor in launching their website, ScamVictimsUnited.com, in 2003. Over the years Scam Victims United has worked with several media outlets on stories about scams and has been active in working with government agencies to increase awareness about scams, including a petition asking for the creation of scam education and awareness programs. Shawn is able to offer a unique perspective on internet scams because of her experience, and can also relate personally to scam victims. This allows her to offer education, resources and support while giving victims a sense of hope and encouragement that they will make it through their situation, because she is living proof that you can survive being a scam victim.
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