Targets: Ladies
The Story:
Surfing the web, and out of nowhere, a guy start chatting up with you, through a forum or social networking website, like Facebook. The two of you hit off really well, and soon you two "fell in love" with each other, even though there had been no real life interaction at all.
Conversations continued for a while, and he suggested and promised to buy you an expensive item that you really like. That blew you off and you waited happily for the gift to arrive.
But one day, upset and desperate, he informed you that the gift he sent had been seized at Customs, and he needed some money to release them, and he is currently broke after buying you the gift but will think of a way to get some money for the Customs.
Touched by his actions, you volunteered to send him some money to pay off the Customs.
The Catch:
After sending him the money, you never hear from him again and the gift he promised never arrived. Only then you realised that you had been scammed, both financially and emotionally.
The Shield:
Looking for a partner online has been an increasingly common thing. Even in legitimate online dating website, these scammers exist. So, be cautious of the following:
1) The male in question is younger than you. Love scammers usually targets ladies in their 50s, who are more affluent, and more vulnerable, in need for love and attentions.
2) Rapid escalation. Expressions of love and passion and within a matter of a short period of time is also a tell-tale sign.
3) Raising the topic of money. It can comes in any form, and does not even be asking for money directly as illustrated above.
In a love scam, love is simply a tool used by the scammers to gain trust. Without trust or blinded by love, there is no way a rational person will obliged to the request of the scammer. Be careful and prevent yourself being hurt, both financially and emotionally.
Additional Information:
A recent article of an online love scam syndicate arrested in Malaysia: http://goo.gl/9wTEH
Also Read:
- http://scambustersmalaysia.blogspot.com/2013/07/online-love-scam-free-meals.html
- http://scambustersmalaysia.blogspot.com/2013/07/online-love-scam-true-love.html
- http://scambustersmalaysia.blogspot.com/2013/07/online-love-scam-meet-up-rape.html
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