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Romance and Dating Fraud
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Scams & Fraud
Romance and Dating Fraud
<font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><div>Learn what are the lastest list of scams and how you can prevent your identity from being stolen. Protect yourself from scams, whether they be phone scams, online scams or in-person. </div></font>
Romance and Dating Scams If you are prone to looking for love online, then you may want to stay informed on the scams you may be exposed to. Here are some websites and pages that I found on this
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Cat:827966ee-6d39-4ef7-98a5-0157a43092f8Forum:b90a5c24-5453-42fa-b1f5-851b8a98e4aaDiscussion:eaef3bc8-2a24-4c22-a3d2-6cafef0a833b
Forums » Money » Scams & Fraud » Romance and Dating Fraud
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Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 7, 2013 10:44 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Romance and Dating Scams If you are prone to looking for love online, then you may want to stay informed on the scams you may be exposed to. Here are some websites and pages that I found on this topic. If anyone finds more websites or links that would help us to appreciate this subject more, then please post them in reply ! R + Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mass-Marketing Fraud: A Threat Assessment [Long Web Page; Also Includes Romance Schemes] http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/mass-marketing-fraud-threat-assessment Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sweetheart Scams http://www.fbi.gov/news/podcasts/inside/sweetheart-scams.mp3/view Federal Trade Commission. OnGuardOnline.Gov. Online Dating Scams. When Love Goes Wrong http://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0004-online-dating-scams Office of the District Attorney. San Joaquin County, California. FRAUD ALERT! Pets, Romance and Adoption http://www.co.san-joaquin.ca.us/da/main.asp?lnk=misc/fa0508 Phoenix Information Security and Privacy Office. Internet Scams and Fraud (Includes Romance Scams) http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/internet/@inter/@ps/@info/@ispo/documents/web_content/d_042362.pdf US Army. American Forces Press Service. Criminals Use Romance, Patriotism to Steal Money http://www.army.mil/article/42718/criminals-use-romance-patriotism-to-steal-money/ US Army Criminal Investigation Command. CID Romance Scam Information http://www.cid.army.mil/romance_scam.html http://www.cid.army.mil/romance_scam_examples.html US Army Criminal Investigation Command. CID warns of Internet romance scams http://www.army.mil/article/36242/cid-warns-of-internet-romance-scams/ US Army Criminal Investigation Command. With National Spotlight on Internet Romance-Type Scams, Army CID Makes Additional Attempts to Warn U http://www.army.mil/article/95075/With_National_Spotlight_on_Internet_Romance_Type_Scams__Army_CID_Makes_Additional_Attempts_to_Warn_U/ US Army News Service. Internet romance scams use Soldiers' identities http://www.army.mil/article/91823/Internet_romance_scams_use_Soldiers__identities/ US Department of Defense. American Forces Press Service. Army Warns of Internet Romance Scams http://afps.dodlive.mil/2010/03/25/army-warns-of-internet-romance-scams/ US Embassy Algiers. Internet Romance and Marriage Fraud http://algiers.usembassy.gov/marriage_fraud.html US Embassy Ghana. Romance Scams http://ghana.usembassy.gov/romance_scam.html US Embassy London. Internet Financial Scams http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/internet_scams.html US Embassy Morocco. Internet Romance and Marriage Fraud http://morocco.usembassy.gov/service/professional-services/marriage-information.html US Embassy Ukraine. Marriage/Dating Scams http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/scams.html US Postal Inspection Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Romance Schemes http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com/fraudtypes/romance.aspx US Department of State. Internet Dating and Romance Scams http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/financial_scams/financial_scams_4554.html US Department of State. Defense Attache Office. U.S. Army CID Warns Unsuspecting Victims of Internet Romance Scams http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/dao/CID_Scam_Warning_12oct2010.pdf US Department of State. Defense Attache Office. U.S. Army CID Pleads With Public, Warns Against Romance Scams Tiny URL due to long original link: http://tinyurl.com/atpvoxg http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/dao/CID_US_Army_Romance Scams_warning_17oct2010.pdf 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 7, 2013 10:49 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
LoveFraud.com Video Presentations http://www.lovefraud.com/blog/lovefraud-videos/ 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 7:06 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Have you ever looked for love, or at least some local pictures, on Internet romance, dating, or adult dating websites? Have you noticed that you are generally required to sign up for a free account in order to access the website? Have you signed up for accounts on multiple Internet dating websites because you notice that the website offers "free" or "no credit card required" access, but then it pesters you for payment in order to release the website content and features to you? Then you may be thinking that the login, password, and personal details you gave to the website are not enough to use this worthless website. You find that there are more hoops to jump through before getting to interact with the website features. What about asking for your credit card details for an "age verification check?" Doesn't that turn you off when you are all in the loving mood and suddenly this non-loving issue stops you in your tracks and you cannot proceed further with the website. You are being asked to give up your presonal financial details and you haven't seen anything yet. Have you received a deluge of enthusiastic emails from other profiles on the dating website while you have not paid any money yet? Of course, you find that you cannot reply to any of those profiles because the website is locking you out of the communication features until you pay first. You get lots of emails from the dating website crowing about how popular you have become and that you must GO NOW to check and read your messages at the dating website itself. But for your own privacy, the content of the messages will not be revealed in any of the emails to you, except maybe a tidbit about the profile name, a truncated personal name, and the location of that profile. And you should immediately log in to the dating website to access your messages while the mood is still hot. You find that every time you attempt a reply to those profiles who tempt you with their messages, the dating website intervenes and requires you to sign up for a paid account in order to release the communications features and messages to you. The website may also hold hostage other basic features as well, such as the viewing of listed profiles, until you give up your payment information. Did I mention that this is the same Internet dating website that sent you all those emails pleading with you to read all your messages while the opportunity was still hot and you are so popular? Do you wonder how you are so popular and desireable when you are not yet paying a dime to the dating website? And, what is the financial interest of a for-profit website to share your private email and details to other dating website profiles before you pay anything? Could this be a deception intended to part you from your money? Have you paid for access to such websites and then found that all of the profiles who were desperately seeking your attention and response have now disappeared? You may also realize that some such profiles are marked as "online cupid" profiles, which are described in the legalese and terms and conditions on the dating website as false profiles intended for your entertainment only, and that you will have no practical opportunity to ever meet with the false personas represented by them. The legalese also states that such entertainment profiles are used for showing you the features and how the website works. If the website offers you the option of ignoring communications from online cupid and entertainment-only profiles, it may not honor your choice to accept that option and bombard you anyway with such communications. Very frustrating indeed, especially since you must filter out the false profiles from any real ones. Where are the real profiles on the dating website? It is next to impossible to get a communication from a real person if you have not paid the website to include you in its search directory for others to view. You likely cannot search and view profiles until you pay for access to extended features first. So you move on to another website to see if your experience will be better. But you keep encountering the same obstacles which offer to promptly go away once you pay for access and maybe pay a premium price for access to all the features of the website. Do you ever think an Internet dating website is engaging in false, deceptive practices by displaying large banner ads claiming how free it is and how you will not be asked for a credit card? Or failing to tell you that you will be asked for money to achieve your original goal of viewing and communicaiting with real people that you are interested in? If you ever have run into such a situation, do not be embarassed to complain to the Federal Trade Commission or your state attorney general. They may be able to verify your claims and determine if the law is being broken. Enough attention received on this topic may spur these entities to pursue a legal civil claim or criminal claim against such false and deceptive marketing practices. I can think of three websites that are free. Use them at your own risk. Websites like www.pof.com, www.okcupid.com, and www.someonenew.com. While free to use, they may have features that you disagree with or they may not deliver the social network that you are looking for. You may also see extra, paid options that are not required for you to access the communication and people search functions on the website. Generally you have to set up a login and password and give your email information in order to authenticate who you are and access the website. Other requirements may involve a questionnaire or survey to help determine your interests and compatibility with other dating profiles. 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 8:08 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Here are some more authoritative websites that offer advice on Online Dating Scams. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Looking for Love? Beware of Online Dating Scams http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/february/dating-scams_021412/ http://www.fbi.gov/sandiego/press-releases/2013/looking-for-love-beware-of-online-dating-scams Federal Bureau of Investigation. News. Podcasts and Radio. Inside the FBI. Sweetheart Scams http://www.fbi.gov/news/podcasts/inside/sweetheart-scams.mp3/view Federal Bureu of Investigation. News Blog. A Valentine's Day Warning http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/a-valentines-day-warning Federal Bureau of Investigation. Online Dating Extortion and Other Scams http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/online-dating-extortion-and-other-scams Federal Trade Commission. FTC Warns Customers About Online Dating Scams http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/11/onlinedating.shtm Federal Trade Commission. OnGuardOnline.Gov. Online Dating Scams http://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0004-online-dating-scams Federal Trade Commission. OnGuardOnline.Gov. Don't Take it from Us http://www.onguardonline.gov/blog/dont-take-it-us Federal Trade Commission. OnGuardOnline.Gov. Looking Online for your Valentine ? http://www.onguardonline.gov/blog/looking-online-your-valentine Federal Trade Commission. OnGuardOnline.Gov. Money Transfer Scams http://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0007-money-transfer-scams Federal Trade Commission. OnGuardOnline.Gov. Search Terms | Tag | Online Dating http://www.onguardonline.gov/search-terms/online-dating Federal Trade Commission. Consumer Information. Online Dating Scams http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0004-online-dating-scams Federal Trade Commission. Wiring Money and Relationship Scams http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/moneymatters/scam-watch-wiring-money.shtml Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Scam Alerts. DATING EXTORTION SCAM http://www.ic3.gov/media/2012/121023.aspx Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). THE DANGEROUS SIDE OF ONLINE ROMANCE SCAMS http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110429.aspx Looks Too Good To Be True http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com/fraudtypes/romance.aspx USA.Gov Blog. Don't Be a Victim of Internet Dating Scams http://blog.usa.gov/post/41370163441/dont-be-a-victim-of-internet-dating-scams US Embassy Moscow. Internet Dating Scams http://moscow.usembassy.gov/dating-scams.html 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 8:18 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Intelligence Note Prepared by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) April 29, 2011 The Dangerous Side of Online Romance Scams http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110429.aspx The IC3 is warning the public to be wary of romance scams in which scammers target individuals who search for companionship or romance online. Someone you know may be "dating" someone online who may appear to be decent and honest. However, be forewarned: the online contact could be a criminal sitting in a cyber café with a well-rehearsed script that scammers have used repeatedly and successfully. Scammers search chat rooms, dating sites, and social networking sites looking for victims. The principal group of victims is over 40 years old and divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled, but all demographics are at risk. Scammers use poetry, flowers, and other gifts to reel in victims, the entire time declaring their "undying love." These criminals also use stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, deaths in the family, injuries to themselves, or other hardships to keep their victims concerned and involved in their schemes. Scammers also ask victims to send money to help overcome a financial situation they claim to be experiencing. These are all lies intended to take money from unsuspecting victims. In another scheme, scammers ask victims to receive funds in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or wire transfer, claiming they are out of the country and unable to cash the instruments or receive the funds directly. The scammers ask victims to redirect the funds to them or to an associate to whom they purportedly owe money. In a similar scheme, scammers ask victims to reship packages instead of redirecting funds. In these examples, victims risk losing money and may incur other expenses, such as bank fees and penalties, and in some instances face prosecution. Victims who have agreed to meet in person with an online love interest have been reported missing, or injured, or in one instance, deceased. IC3 complainants most often report the countries of Nigeria, Ghana, England, and Canada as the location of the scammers. If you are planning to meet someone in person that you have met online, the IC3 recommends using caution, especially if you plan to travel to a foreign country, and, at the very least: Do not travel alone. Read all travel advisories associated with the countries you will visit. Travel advisories are available at http://travel.state.gov/. Contact the United States Embassy in the country you plan to visit. Even though it seems to be contrary to the thought of starting a new romance, do not be afraid to check a new acquaintance's story online. Remember, like most fraudulent schemes, scammers use whatever personal information you provide to quickly paint themselves as your perfect match. If your new friend’s story is repeated through numerous complaints and articles on the Internet, it is time to apply common sense over your feelings. To obtain more information on romance scams and other types of online schemes, visit http://www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com/. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this type of scam should promptly report it to the IC3's website at http://www.IC3.gov/. 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 10:02 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Better Business Bureau 2/11/2013 It's Valentine's Day - Don't Be a Catfish Valentine’s Day is a day for romance, but it can also be an opportune time for scammers to take advantage of those looking for love online. Better Business Bureau is urging consumers to proceed with caution before letting their hearts – and their money – get stolen. Read the entire story here: http://www.bbb.org/us/article/its-valentines-day--dont-be-a-catfish-40141 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 10:07 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Doctor Phil gives advice on Online Dating and Catfish ScamsRelationships/SexOnline Dating Red Flags: Warning Signs of a CatfishRead the item here: http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/720 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 10:11 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Doctor Phil gives advice again ... To Catch a Catfish: An Online Dating Predator Exposed http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1925/ Falling in Love Online http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/136 The Dos and Don'ts of Dating Online http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/524 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 10:39 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
The Manti Te'o Hoax Exposes "Catfish" Internet Scams By ANTHONY CASTELLANO | Good Morning America – Thu, Jan 17, 2013 http://news.yahoo.com/manti-teo-hoax-exposes-catfish-internet-scams-080258159--abc-news-topstories.html 000. |
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Re: Romance and Dating Fraud
posted at March 8, 2013 10:47 AM EST
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Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013 Last: April 23, 2013 |
Slate BlogsNotre Dame Says Manti Te'o Fell For a "Catfish" Scam. What's That?
| Posted Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at 11:25 AM With everyone still trying to make heads (he was the victim) or tails (he was in on it) out of the bizarre story of Notre Dame football star Manti Te'o's dead girlfriend that was neither dead nor his girlfriend—nor even an actual real-life person in the first place—lots of people are throwing around the term "catfish." Read the entire article here: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/01/17/manti_te_o_lennay_kekua_what_s_a_catfish_scam.html 000. |
Forums » Money » Scams & Fraud » Romance and Dating Fraud
