The growing threat of romance scams
Romance scam is an online crime that can be committed by anyone. Romance scams occur when a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain the victim’s affection and trust. The fraudster then uses the illusion of a romantic or intimate relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim. Often the scam results in financial loss for the victim. Romance scams are one of the most common types of online fraud. In 2022, nearly 70 000 people reported a romance scam, and reported losses hit a staggering 1.3 billion dollars (Federal Trade Commission) and the numbers have been increasing every year.
The perpetrators of romance scams are experts at what they do and appear genuine, caring, and credible. Indeed, the perpetrators are usually highly skilled both as people experts and as cybercriminals. They ruthlessly exploit people’s natural need to find, for example, companionship or a life partner. It can be very difficult for a victim to tell at first whether it is a simple introduction to someone looking for companionship, or whether they are being scammed by a professional criminal.
Spotting the signs of a scam
So how can you spot a scammer? A scammer can contact a victim with a fake profile on social media. Typical channels include various dating sites, hobby sites, and social media platforms. Scammers are expanding their territory and targeting their victims through many other online channels. If you are not a real social influencer and a stranger asks to be your friend or to follow you, you should be suspicious. The person in the profile will often say that they work in a prestigious profession and, for example, have lived in the same country as the victim and would like to move back. They may also try to make a phone call, but for various reasons the video connection fails. In some cases, the scammer may say that they have received a large inheritance and for some reason they have failed to transfer the money into their own account. They need a temporary loan because of the various transfer and processing fees involved. The request may also relate to an acute emergency or even the purchase of a shared house, which leads to a request to transfer money to a joint account that is not genuine, and the money disappears. The scammer also blames or in some cases blackmails the victim if they refuse or are unable to make the requested transfers.
The money transfers are usually made in a hurry so that the victim panics and acts rashly. Their excuse is often baked right into their fake identity. Claiming to be on a faraway military base is the most popular excuse, but “offshore oil rig worker” is another common and fake occupation. In short, there’s no end to the lies romance scammers will tell to get your money. Their favourite lies by the numbers are “I or some close to me is sick, injured, or in prison, I can teach you how to invest, I’m in the military far away or I need help with an important delivery”.
Why people fall victim to romance scams
People fall for romance scams because it can be difficult to tell whether they are a scam or a simple introduction to someone else looking for companionship. There may be a void in life that is ripe for a new relationship, and a variety of factors contribute to a person’s belief in a scammer. Scammers are skilled at exploiting a victim’s goodwill, loneliness, and longing for love, as well as being skilled cybercriminals. The criminal is an irresistible version of the “dream partner” – wealthy, deserving, beautiful or handsome, considerate, talkative, interested in the same things, caring, intelligent, open, and willing to commit.
Protecting yourself against romance scams
The best way to protect yourself is usually to use common sense. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is. It is worth asking yourself why I am being approached, what is being asked of me, and what are the risks of doing what I am told.
