Online Dating Scams

If you have used the internet for meeting someone, you should be alert to online dating scams.

Scammers can be male or female, and post a false profile, usually with a false photo stolen from another internet site - particularly modeling sites. They can also be found lurking in chat rooms.

They usually approach other people on dating sites but also post profiles that have a photo of a pretty young woman that is guaranteed to get a lot of responses from men based on the photo alone!

Their goal is to steal your money by pretending to fall in love with you, and then once they have you hooked, they have a financial situation that they need your help.

Once the relationship has progressed a few weeks [usually 2-6 weeks] the scammer will 'fall in love' with the victim and the communication will become very passionate and seductive.

The scammer will then ask for money for a variety of reasons:

• Passport, visa, air tickets or travel insurance

• Emergency medical expenses for her or her family due to illness or accidents

• Internet cafe expenses, cell phone

No matter what the reason is, there WILL be a money request.

They almost always ask you to send money using an untraceable source such as telegraphic money transfer.

What to do for Online Dating Scams

• Once the scammer has asked for money, stop further communications with them

• Report them to the dating site

• No matter how trustworthy they may seem, DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY

• If you have sent them money, your chances of getting it back are really zero, but you should report it to the Police, Western Union [if it was used] or Moneygram [if it was used]

• If you are from the US, you can also visit the Internet Fraud Complaint Center hosted by the FBI at http://www.ic3.gov in order to file a complaint.

• See advice for the most popular online dating scams

Advice for Online Dating Scams

• Enjoy the relationship, but DON'T SEND THEM MONEY OR CREDIT CARD OR BANK DETAILS!!! and then all you will lose is your heart!

• If you are a US citizen, the Fraud Prevention Unit can verify the authenticity of any U.S. visa via e-mail at FPMM@state.gov. In addition, complete and authoritative information on applying for a U.S. visa is available on the Department of State’s webpage on Visa Information for Temporary Visitors.

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