Spotting Online Romance Scams

Online romance scams are not as common as email scams, but they seem to be increasingly more widespread. They usually target women and men 50 years of age. And just like all other scams, a romance scam ends in loss of valuable possessions, money and dignity.

If you are a woman alone, the romancer may even send you love letters and handsome photos, and even promise to marry you. Even females sometimes pose as males and vice versa try to lure you into the scheme. While this article looks at how men are lured in, the process applies equally to female victims.

The scammers often live in other countries so you can see them only in photos. The people often look very pretty and sexy, though the pictures can be of people who look genuine and wholesome. The pictures are usually that of a model, stolen from a photobucket site (photograph sharing), or blog.
And many men respond so hopefully to the face a beautiful woman announces, just based on a single image.

So here's how the scam can work. First, the scammer approaches the target through some attractive photos that are downloaded more often than not from all across the Internet. Typically, the contacts are made through forums and/or dating sites. And though the victim may be openly guarded at first, the scammers are aware of this and are prepared to "work" the victim over many months if necessary. The operator sends a series of vague-sounding e-mails filled with talk of love or desire. The operator can also send emails filled with details of their home country or the city that do not relate much to you at all if you look below the surface.

The fraudsters usually claim to be U.S. or the United Kingdom (if English) and from other countries in Western Europe for other languages. They claim to be another person, taking on the identity of someone from your country and more likely to use the stolen photo. The fictitious person creates a virtual relationship by exchanging photos and e-mails. The fraudsters can easily register at online dating agencies or chat rooms as well as any other venue. Many online dating sites allow anyone to participate freely, and often do not screen its members. The general caution is that all persons accessing the web assume responsibility for assessing the adequacy and accuracy of its contents.

More likely than not, those who appear in these photos are of innocent men and women, often unaware and uninvolved in the scam. The fraudsters are using their images without their knowledge and permission to deceive their victims and swindling them of money. Some con artists even make an appointment with their victims, with the hope that their target will for give or loan money for the promise of love. The, then simply disappear. However, the operator may have even sent gifts to the victim.

The fraudsters like to seek victims amongst Church related web sites and chat rooms looking for people who make regular donations. The scam can start with an appeal to regarding a specific charity or to fill a need. Overtime, however demands for money start coming in and because the victim has fallen in love with the person-- or the cause-- they pay up.

Things you can do to protect yourself:

Love with your heart, but use your head - ignorance of scammers' motives can land you (and your kids) on the streets. So start with never giving out any personal details (home phone numbers, work address, etc). to your new acquaintance.

Opt for a reputable dating sites and stay away from those who are free, as long as you can. There is no guarantee of safety on these sites or that you will not be scammed there either. So tell someone. Let a friend or friends or relatives about the romance and let them talk to your new-found lover. Never give money or satisfy the only romancer. I know that sounds too much or less. Remember, prevention is better than cure. And if romancer is everything he / she claims to be, they will understand your reasons for caution.