Scammer Gets $100,000 In Romance Scam

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County detachment is urging everyone to familiarize themselves with various scams including the Romance and Dating Scam.

On Monday, May 28, 2018 at approximately 12:01 p.m., police were contacted by a member of the public, reporting that they established an online relationship over the internet with a male after meeting them through a social media website. While corresponding, several emails were exchanged with details of the suspect’s history and employment status.

Through the course of this correspondence, a request for funds was made by the suspect after claiming that several emergencies occurred. Several transactions then took place, where funds were forwarded between the dates of March 2018 to Monday, May 29, 2018 totalling approximately $100,000.

Single or recently unattached people – often females – are among the growing number of vulnerable population to be victimized by criminals through fraudulent means. Usually this occurs through contact online via e-mail blasts, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc…) or singles and dating-related ‘meet’ websites. Among the more prevalent schemes are money transfers via Romance or Dating Scams. In some cases, prolonged interaction with individuals has cost some victims tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars before the relationship ends – usually after the culprit gets what they want.

Knowledge is power. All consumers – regardless of age and gender – can take basic steps to better protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud, such as never giving out personal information over the phone, the internet or through social media/dating websites.

Always get independent advice – from family members, a trusted friend or advisor — if any offers involve money, personal information, time or commitment.

Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of a Romance / Dating Scam

• Check website addresses carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar addresses to legitimate dating websites. Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating websites.

• Never send money, or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country (using Western Union or MoneyGram) to this person you have never personally met should be a red flag.

• Don’t give out any personal information in an email or when you are chatting online. Like any scam, use your computer to your advantage. Educate yourself. Check the person’s name, the company name the addresses used, and ask yourself, Would this be normal?”

• Ask yourself – “Would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or emails?”

“It’s not always easy to spot scams

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