Welcome to Scam Alert!
In previous editions we have covered different scams and the best ways to prevent yourself from being scammed. With so much of our lives being digital, and with more and more of our banking being done electronically it is more important than EVER to make sure you don’t become a victim of fraud. In this month’s letter we are going to learn about a scam that can unfortunately be a challenge to identify. This scam is what we call the “Romance Scam.”
In today’s connected world, online relationships have become increasingly common. While many find love or friendship through digital platforms, others fall victim to a more sinister reality—romance scams. These deceptive schemes prey on people’s emotions, manipulating them into sending money or personal information to scammers posing as romantic partners. With the rise of social media, dating apps, and messaging services, romance scams have become more sophisticated and widespread, often leaving victims heartbroken and financially devastated. In this article, we’ll explore how romance scams work, how to recognize the warning signs, and what steps you can take to protect yourself from falling prey to these dangerous frauds.
A romance scam typically unfolds in several stages, with scammers employing manipulation and deceit to build trust and exploit emotions. The scam starts when the fraudster makes contact, often through social media, dating apps, or online platforms. The scammer creates a fake profile, usually using stolen or stock photos of attractive individuals. They might claim to be living overseas, often in a military or business-related profession.
Once contact is made, the scammer quickly works to establish a deep emotional connection. They may shower the victim with compliments, or attention. The goal is to make the victim feel needed and emotionally invested.
This stage may take weeks or even months, with frequent messaging to maintain the illusion of a genuine relationship. The scammer will slowly begin to share a fabricated story to deepen the emotional connection, often involving an urgent or dire situation that requires financial help. For example, they might claim to be stranded in a foreign country due to an emergency, have an urgent medical issue, or be facing a sudden legal or financial crisis. They exploit the victim’s feelings of sympathy and affection, encouraging them to offer help.
After building trust, the scammer will eventually make a direct request for money. This might start small, with an excuse like needing help with travel expenses, medical bills, or a visa application fee. As the victim continues to send money, the requests will become more frequent and more significant. They may make the victim feel guilty for not sending money, claim their love is real or even threaten to end the relationship if the victim doesn’t comply.
The emotional pressure builds, making it harder for the victim to see the situation clearly. At this point, the scammer might attempt to isolate the victim from family and friends, claiming that they’re the only person who truly understands them. The victim might be discouraged from sharing their concerns or requests for advice with others, as the scammer may assert that anyone else wouldn’t understand the unique bond they share.
In other cases, they may continue the scam indefinitely, constantly coming up with new emergencies to extract money. For many victims, the aftermath is not just emotional but also financial. They may lose large sums of money, sometimes over months or even years. In some cases, the scammer might disappear completely, leaving the victim feeling embarrassed and devastated.
Reporting the scam can be difficult, as scammers often operate from overseas, making legal action nearly impossible. Understanding how romance scams operate can help individuals recognize the signs early on and avoid falling into these traps.
Protecting yourself from a romance scam involves being vigilant and aware of the red flags commonly associated with fraudulent schemes. Here are key steps you can take to protect yourself:
1. Be Cautious of Unsolicited Contact
- If someone contacts you online or through social media platforms and claims to have romantic interest without prior interaction, be cautious. Romance scammers often target people through dating apps, social media, or even email.
- Scammers often use profiles with fake photos and fabricated backstories.
2. Watch for Red Flags in Communication
- Too good to be true: If the person seems perfect, too attractive, or too interested in you too quickly, it’s worth questioning their intentions.
- Fast-moving relationship: Scammers often try to quickly establish a deep emotional connection to manipulate you.
- Requests for money or gifts: One of the most common signs of a romance scam is when the person asks for money, particularly under urgent circumstances like a medical emergency, travel issue, or financial crisis.
3. Verify Their Identity
- Reverse image search: Use a tool like Google’s Reverse Image Search to check if their photos appear elsewhere on the internet, which could indicate they’re using a stolen or fake identity.
- Video calls: If they refuse to have a video call or always have excuses, it’s a red flag. Scammers often avoid face-to-face communication.
4. Consult Trusted Friends or Family
- If you’re unsure about someone you’re interacting with, talk to a friend, family member, or someone you trust about your concerns. They can often help you see things from a different perspective and spot potential scams you may have missed.
By staying alert to these warning signs and exercising caution, you can protect yourself from falling victim to romance scams.
Vincent A Pircio
Branch Manager II
Rockland Trust
2995 Cranberry Highway
East Wareham, MA 02538
Phone (508) 295-6900
Fax (508) 295-7178
Vincent.Pircio@RocklandTrust.com
