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Love Is Blind - So You Better Wear Glasses: Romance Scams

Evelyn fell victim to a romance scam after meeting a man on Match.com who quickly professed his love and asked her for money. She sent him $22,000 before realizing he was a scammer. Romance scams often involve creating fake online profiles to lure victims, then asking for money under false pretenses. The document provides tips for spotting romance scams, such as being asked for money or personal details very quickly. It encourages anyone who believes they have been scammed to report it and stop contact with the scammer.

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Renier Caneo
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173 views4 pages

Love Is Blind - So You Better Wear Glasses: Romance Scams

Evelyn fell victim to a romance scam after meeting a man on Match.com who quickly professed his love and asked her for money. She sent him $22,000 before realizing he was a scammer. Romance scams often involve creating fake online profiles to lure victims, then asking for money under false pretenses. The document provides tips for spotting romance scams, such as being asked for money or personal details very quickly. It encourages anyone who believes they have been scammed to report it and stop contact with the scammer.

Uploaded by

Renier Caneo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Love is Blind---So You Better Wear Glasses

"Evelyn" was looking for


love.
She thought she found it on
Match.com, which quickly
moved to Instant
Messenger. "He said he was
an engineer living in
Florida, with his own
business and the father of a
son. He wrote perfectly -
no 'scammer grammar.' He seemed ideal."
Within two weeks, Mr. True Love had hooked Evelyn. With declarations of love,
promises of a life together and, oops, a request for money to help secure a job
contract in Cairo. After sending $22,000 in three wires, Evelyn not only lost
her heart and money but also her identity. Her sensitive information was sold
to other scammers, including identity thieves and other Romeo rip-off artists.

Romance Scams
Conning thousands of men and women each year, romance swindlers
consistently make the top scammer lists. These criminals aren't looking for a
soulmate, they are looking for victims who are 'love blind'.
Here is how the scam works: Scammers scroll dating websites, chat rooms and
Facebook inventing fake identities, using fake photos of themselves and
tailoring their profiles to the target's interests. First there's the wooing, then
the undoing. After romancing the victim with quick promises of love, these
con artists spring the trap. In some fashion and some way, the paramore
begins asking for money or your personal information. Mr. Wonderful may ask
for money to be wired for a plane ticket or help with some debt run up by the
evil ex-girlfriend.

So how can you spot a romance scam and avoid falling victim? Here are red
flags that the person you're dealing with is after your cash, instead of your
heart.

 You are asked to wire money or cash a certified check or money order.
The check will be for more than what was discussed, but you'll deposit
it into your account and send him the cash. Guess what, the check is
bogus and you are on the hook for the funds.
 The relationship becomes romantic extremely quickly, with quick
pronouncements of love or close friendship.
 He quickly asks you to communicate via email, phone or text, some
way other than through the dating site.
 Claims to be a U.S. citizen who is abroad, very wealthy, or a person of
important status.
 Claims of being a contractor and needs your help with a business deal.
 She makes excuses about not being able to speak by phone or meet in
person.
 Claims to be an American, but makes frequent spelling or grammar
mistakes that a native English speaker wouldn't.
 Unrealistic photos. Sorry 'Lonely in Portland', if your catch is "too cute,"
determine if the person used a stolen photo by running a Google Image
search to check the authenticity of any photos.
 Inconsistent communication. Vague or repetitive email responses could
indicate you've been hooked by an organized crime ring, and one
scammer picked up where his buddy scammer left off.
 Requests to provide your financial details or send funds.
 Requests to share intimate photos or use webcams in an intimate
setting which may leave you open to blackmail.
Check These Out For More Love Scams
Valentines Day Phishing Attacks

Love is a powerful emotion. If you've been approached by someone you think could
be a romance scammer or, if you have already fallen victim:

 Don't keep speaking with the person


 Ignore their emails and phone calls or other communications. (think about
blocking their number)
 Use the dating web site's abuse flagging system
 Report it to AARP or call our Fraud Line 720-913-9179

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.


And hey, being single isn't so bad...At least for now.

THINK YOU'VE BEEN SCAMMED?


If you suspect you've been scammed or exploited, report
it to our Fraud Hot Line.
720-913-9179
SCHEDULE A SPEAKER
Interested in learning more about scams happening in Denver? Do
you want to know how to protect yourself from identity theft? Maro
Casparian is available for speaking engagements to any group or
organization. Contact her by email: [email protected] or via phone:
720.913.9036.

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