A
Experts Give Advice on Preventing Online Dating Scams Scams & Fraud
visibility
734 views
thumb_up
20 likes
L
That's roughly equal to the population of Santa Fe, New Mexico. AARP The FTC, a consumer-protection agency, says more than $342 million was lost to romance scams between 2015 and 2018, according to spokesman Jay Mayfield. That's more than a dollar for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
thumb_up
25 likes
N
Online daters of all ages have fallen victim to the cruel crooks who break hearts and empty bank accounts. But an FTC review of 2018 cases found that while the overall median loss resulting from a romance scam was $2,600, the median jumped to $10,000 when the victim was age 70 or older. To shed light on why people succumb, a social psychologist, a cybercrimes expert and a Secret Service agent share insights into romance scammers and offer advice on how to protect yourself from these heartless offenders.
thumb_up
4 likes
I
The social psychologist
“A lot of people are just very desperate for an emotional or intimate connection with another person. And they may not have had a lot of success with that in real life, and so any time they start to see that connection develop, they might jump on it because they don’t know when or if that opportunity is going to come back,” says Justin Lehmiller, a social psychologist specializing in sexuality and relationships at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute.
thumb_up
6 likes
L
“When people start to feel some degree of intimacy or connection, sometimes they do irrational things in the pursuit of love.” What makes romance fraud devastating from an emotional standpoint, he says, is that “it plays on very deep feelings of insecurity and anxiety and loss that people may have experienced in their lives.” Those looking for love through dating apps or tend to have a deep need for connections with others, Lehmiller says. But if their online quest doesn’t yield much success, they could become “very vulnerable” to virtual romance fraudsters who try to gain their trust in pursuit of their cash.
thumb_up
46 likes
H
“When people start to feel that connection to someone else, especially if they have these little twangs of passion that go along with it, it can lead people to act in irrational ways where they might ignore warning flags,” explains Lehmiller. His advice? Verify who you’re dealing with online and talk to friends about a potential love interest.
“When people are trying to navigate this on their own, that’s when they might miss the red flags.”
“When people are trying to navigate this on their own, that’s when they might miss the red flags.”
The cybercrimes expert br
Romance fraudsters are adept at “social engineering” and deploy the “art of persuasion” to influence people to act in ways that may not be in their interest, says Aunshul Rege, an associate professor of criminal justice at Temple University, who has researched online dating scams.
thumb_up
29 likes
E
That online love interest who seems charming could in reality be a ruthless criminal who lives overseas and is adept at pulling a victim's strings while eventually taking advantage of a human tendency to help a person in need. Here's how an online romance scam typically unfolds, according to Rege: Fraudsters hide behind , fictitious or pilfered profiles and stolen photos.
thumb_up
37 likes
H
Many lurk on popular dating sites, using stolen credit cards to pay for premium services. Some even create phony dating sites to lure potential victims. All are trolling for their next mark.
thumb_up
27 likes
I
Once a scammer gets their hooks into a target, they might spend weeks or even months “grooming” victims to gain trust and affection. In the early stages of a romance scam, the conversation and correspondence can range from friendly and flirty to heavy and romantic, but there's generally no urgent request for money.
thumb_up
11 likes
E
Be wary of what you say — and send — online, since your sexy photo could wind up in a fake profile in a future scam.
Next, after a firm bond has been established, the fraudster concocts a phony-but-plausible financial need: they want to meet the victim in person but can't afford a plane ticket; they have a fantastic business opportunity but need a short-term loan; or they've been in an accident but can't afford the hospital bill. Inevitably, more requests for money follow.
Next, after a firm bond has been established, the fraudster concocts a phony-but-plausible financial need: they want to meet the victim in person but can't afford a plane ticket; they have a fantastic business opportunity but need a short-term loan; or they've been in an accident but can't afford the hospital bill. Inevitably, more requests for money follow.
thumb_up
9 likes
N
“It's going to be one thing after another after another,” says Rege, as crooks “nickel and dime you” for all you're worth.
A romance scam eventually starts to fall apart once victims realize they've been scammed or they run out of money. And even when the flow of cash gets cut off, the fraudsters don't necessarily disappear.
A romance scam eventually starts to fall apart once victims realize they've been scammed or they run out of money. And even when the flow of cash gets cut off, the fraudsters don't necessarily disappear.
thumb_up
3 likes
E
They may resort to “sextortion” to squeeze more cash from a victim by threatening, say, to post compromising photos or videos on a porn site. Online daters are in search of a combination of “love, compassion, kindness, company,” says Rege, and older people who are divorcing, already divorced or widowed may be especially vulnerable to scams.
thumb_up
26 likes
A
As people age, and see friends grow ill and die, they may feel fear or depression and start thinking: “I want to live my life to the fullest; I don't want to be alone,” she says. Rege's advice? Be patient.
thumb_up
34 likes
A
Turn off your device and meet the object of your budding affection in person in a public place for coffee or dinner. (Fraudsters are known to lie about their unavailability by pretending they are or at work on an oil rig.) If you have grown children, talk to them about your search for love in cyberspace so they may step in, if warranted, before damage is done.
thumb_up
15 likes
E
And don't rely solely on online “friends” for social connections. Join a book club, attend movie nights or sign up for fitness classes to meet people in real life.
The Secret Service agent
Chris McMahon, a special agent with the Secret Service, encounters romance fraud on a daily basis.
thumb_up
4 likes
Z
It's part of his job. He has met dozens of romance-scam victims and probed hundreds of such cases during investigations of large-scale, transnational crime groups. One victim, in particular, stands out.
thumb_up
48 likes
A
The woman lost more than $1.5 million in a scam arising in Africa. (Many romance scams originate overseas.) Over the course of a year or so, she sent mostly wire transfers to a man she never once met in person because she “very, very much believed that the relationship was real based on the conversations and felt she was obligated to offer the assistance." The requests for cash started small.
thumb_up
16 likes
T
At first, the perpetrator asked for money so he could travel to visit her in the U.S. Then, he needed more to resolve passport issues, then still more for taxes.
thumb_up
8 likes
M
Next, a coconspirator claimed her love interest had been in a car accident and needed money for medical bills. Then, the man supposedly was being sued because of the crash, necessitating more cash. It spiraled “out of control really quickly,” says McMahon.
thumb_up
32 likes
M
The victim “remortgaged her house twice, cashed out her 401(k), took out personal loans, borrowed money from friends. She took cash advances against her credit cards.
thumb_up
30 likes
J
She sold stuff." Don’t believe anything that sounds too good to be true. Think twice if the other party seeks financial help or is evasive.
thumb_up
23 likes
E
Today, the romance-scam victim is saddled with astronomical monthly expenses — “tens of thousands of dollars to repay this debt.” She struck him as a hardworking, down-to-earth woman looking for a solid relationship. “It's horrible,” he says.
thumb_up
16 likes
C
Fake online romances can proceed “fairly quickly” but usually follow a familiar pattern: profess love early, build trust, then ask for cash. “They're targeting vulnerable people — people they don't have face-to-face contact with,” McMahon says. Some victims are lonely, have had bad relationships in the past or suffered trauma.
thumb_up
2 likes
G
Some state in online profiles that they are widowed, new to dating or never married. "Other times it just becomes a numbers game” with scammers using written scripts as they reach out to multiple targets — a dozen or so at a time — hoping for pay dirt.
thumb_up
4 likes
I
Some people don't take the bait, becoming suspicious when a perpetrator refuses to meet in person or speak on video chat. Yet others believe the fraudsters when they say, “I can't wait to hold you in my arms” or “We'll be married soon.” McMahon’s advice? “Number 1, never send money.” Next, do some sleuthing: Google the person’s name and phone number to check for red flags.
thumb_up
48 likes
C
If you think you're being scammed, keep notes and report your suspicions to the online platform where you met, and to local police, the FBI's or the closest Secret Service office.
Here are the FTC s tips on playing it safe when online dating
Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
thumb_up
45 likes
C
Talk to someone you trust about a new love interest. In the excitement about what feels like a budding relationship, people can be blinded to things that don’t add up.
thumb_up
25 likes
E
Pay attention if your friends or family are concerned. Take it slowly.
thumb_up
17 likes
V
Ask questions and look for inconsistent answers. Try an online reverse-image search of profile pictures. If the images are associated with another person’s name, or details don’t match up, it’s a scam.
thumb_up
25 likes
Z
can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free , review our , or call our toll-free at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.
More on Scams & Fraud
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider.
thumb_up
14 likes
A
The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits.
thumb_up
4 likes
S
Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age.
thumb_up
45 likes
L
You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering.
thumb_up
26 likes
L
Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.
thumb_up
19 likes
Similar Discussions
-
bos
-
Word Puzzle Crossword puzzle APK Download for Android
-
La Nouvelle Aquitaine envisage la mise en concurrence de la SNCF en 2027 Transport Sncf
-
Federal monitor finds NYPD officers are more civil when wearing body cameras at NYCHA complexes Nypd Body Cameras
-
Watch Rescuers free entangled humpback whale in Canada Pets Animals News
-
Netflix will no longer allow you to share passwords for free Netflix
-
GTA Online Judgement Day Halloween Update Patch Notes
-
Drone delivery leader Wing reveals new place for next pilot Digital Trends
-
How to Fix It When a Lenovo s Mic Is Not Working
-
Toyota Yaris GR Sport Warms Up In The City Of Lights CarBuzz
-
Don t Worry Darling Box Office It s a 1 Opening Weekend IndieWire
-
Lincoln Ls Radiator Hose Diagram
-
Nightcove thefox
-
Take pictures of Shaggy sumpter beasts in Genshin Impact Locations and more
-
How Deep Breathing Exercise Helps Reduce Anxiety
-
I m so cheap that s probably one of the reason why I can t keep a woman Chad Johnson claims bizarre McDonald s diet is affecting love life
-
NBA 2K23 locker codes September 2022 Free MyTeam players and packs VGC
-
Outriders dev says Square Enix yet to pay it a royalty fee
-
Luke s Sister on Teen Mom Young and Pregnant Isn t Kayla s Biggest Fan
-
Liz Jones s Diary In which we meet on neutral territory YOU Magazine
-
Adıyaman besni nöbetçi eczane
-
Gta san andreas indir gezginler windows 8
-
Kadıköy akbil başvuru merkezi
-
Türk telekom fatura otomatik ödeme talimatı
-
Gs bjk maçı hakemi
-
Resimli zeka soruları ve cevapları
-
2 sınıf eş anlamlı kelimeler etkinliği
-
Enabling Addictions in Relationships Examples amp How to Find Help
-
Pagos automáticos no deseados en tarjetas de crédito
-
What s Next? Provides Guidance on Midlife Career Reinvention AARP Everywhe