There is a growing amount of people who are looking for
romantic partners via the many dating websites, social media or apps available
today. There are others who take advantage of the emotional triggers of such
romance seekers and the anonymity of the internet and resort to dating scams.
Their objective is to extract money by adopting tricky and trapping techniques.
- THE MODUS OPERANDI
The dating scams are also known as catfishing. As first
introduction, the scammers make tele-calls to their prospective victim. They
also create emotionally enticing profiles by using fictional names or by
impersonating the identities of persons serving aboard, military personnel or
aid workers. After a short period of introduction and very little
communication, they suggest to move from the website to other means of
communication such as phone, private channel instant messaging or email. They
say they come from Australia or any other Western country or are working
overseas,
- Gaining Trust
Operators of dating scams take every possible measure to gain
your trust and interest and shower you with sweet romantic words. They don’t
hesitate to share with you, fabricated personal details and even offer you
gifts. They give you an impression that it is going to be a life-time affair. They
show their great desire to visit you by air flight but postpone the same on
some or other ground. Sometimes, they will ask to pay you for the air flight
ticket.
- Asking Money
When they feel that they have gained your trust and control
over your emotional trigger, they ask you, either directly or subtly details
about your credit card. They may ask you to send intimate things such as videos
or your pictures. The following are the likely reasons for asking money to meet
personal emergency
● Expensive operation of a close
relative
● Supporting a failed business
● Air ticket and other expenses for
travelling to meet you
● Buy goods yourself and send to
specified person
● Accept money to your bank and
transfer the same to someone
● They trigger your interest by
requesting to move a large amount of money or gold that is required to be
transferred out of their country and offer you a share in return for your help.
Then, they will ask you certain amount of money to meet the administrative
expenses and taxes.
- Risk Factors
Those operators of dating scams are accomplices of an international criminal network. They may be a risk
to your personal safety. They may even entice their victims to go overseas and
put them in hazardous environments that may bring you tragic consequences. You
can never recover your money from them
- PROTECTION
The following are the protection measures against dating
scams
● Think twice before parting with any
photo or video. They may blackmail you by using compromising materials
● If at all you decide to meet a prospective
partner, inform your friends and family, the location you are visiting. Never
travel overseas with an unknown person. Go through the advice given in www.smarttraveller.gov.au
● Never yield to their request for
money
● Never transfer money for someone else.
● Take precaution while sharing on
social network site.
Dating scam is injurious to your social and financial status.
Keep yourself away from it.
