ROMANCE SCAMS! WARNING FROM THE FBI

Intelligence Note

 Prepared by the Internet Crime
Complaint Center (IC3)


April 29, 2011

 


The Dangerous Side of Online Romance Scams



 The IC3 is warning the public to be wary of romance scams
in which scammers target individuals who search for companionship or romance online.
Someone you know may be "dating" someone online who may appear to be decent and
honest. However, be forewarned: the online contact could be a criminal
sitting in a cyber café with a well-rehearsed script that scammers have used
repeatedly and successfully. Scammers search chat rooms, dating sites, and social
networking sites looking for victims. The principal group of victims is over 40
years old and divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled, but all demographics are
at risk.



Scammers use poetry, flowers, and other gifts to reel in victims, the entire time
declaring their "undying love." These criminals also use stories of severe life
circumstances, tragedies, deaths in the family, injuries to themselves, or other
hardships to keep their victims concerned and involved in their schemes. Scammers
also ask victims to send money to help overcome a financial situation they claim
to be experiencing. These are all lies intended to take money from unsuspecting
victims.



In another scheme, scammers ask victims to receive funds in the form of a cashier's
check, money order, or wire transfer, claiming they are out of the country and unable
to cash the instruments or receive the funds directly. The scammers ask victims
to redirect the funds to them or to an associate to whom they purportedly owe money.
In a similar scheme, scammers ask victims to reship packages instead of redirecting
funds. In these examples, victims risk losing money and may incur other expenses,
such as bank fees and penalties, and in some instances face prosecution.



Victims who have agreed to meet in person with an online love interest have been
reported missing, or injured, or in one instance, deceased. IC3 complainants most
often report the countries of Nigeria, Ghana, England, and Canada as the location
of the scammers. If you are planning to meet someone in person that you have met
online, the IC3 recommends using caution, especially if you plan to travel to a
foreign country, and, at the very least:


    *  Do not travel alone.
    *  Read all travel advisories associated with the countries you will visit. Travel
      advisories are available at http://travel.state.gov/.
    *  Contact the United States Embassy in the country you plan to visit.
      




Even though it seems to be contrary to the thought of starting a new romance, do
not be afraid to check a new acquaintance's story online. Remember, like most fraudulent
schemes, scammers use whatever personal information you provide to quickly paint
themselves as your perfect match. If your new friend’s story is repeated through
numerous complaints and articles on the Internet, it is time to apply common sense
over your feelings. To obtain more information on romance scams and other types
of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this type of scam should promptly
report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov.

UPDATE!
The local news covered this story as well. See the link below.

WOWT News Video