The scam truck (Photo credit: jepoirrier)

The Business of Romantic Scamming

Online introduction and dating sites commonly present you with a photograph and a profile decorated with buttons to let you decide whether or not you want to contact the person. Usually you have to register and others can then contact you. All you have to go on initially is photographs and words. Who is behind the photographs? You have no way to tell, but a quick sample suggests it is almost certainly a man [3], perhaps a mobster from Mombasa, a pimp from Portugal or a California Conman. The photographs will probably be stolen.

It is not known how much large scale organised crime is involved in romantic scamming but in some countries this form of scam is organised by small scale local entrepreneurs who buy or rent a dozen or so PCs with webcams, hire local people from their neighbourhood, usually women, though straight and gay men and women are all targeted, to sit at these cameras and fish for various marks. The business owner will set these people up with a bank account – often they cannot afford the minimum deposit to set up a bank account but takes all the money paying the workers a commission. When the worker starts to lose their looks or fails to meet the employer’s target they are terminated. It is not clear how to what extent the workers are also victims, or how much tax their country loses or how many business owners are linked to larger scale organised crime. Since being scammed in this way may mean the scammer gets access to your bank account, credit cards, passport, email details and other sensitive data it is best to assume that the local organisers at least have access to other criminal networks.

To the scammer a good mark is over 40, recently divorced, a widow(er), elderly or disabled. In the USA various Christian cults have also been known to target these demographics. If you are vulnerable be especially careful who you deal with online.

The Webcam Beggar

You might think that seeing someone on a webcam makes them somehow more reliable, less likely to be a scammer, but, as stated above, scammers may be employed to sit in front of a web cam with everything they say or do carefully scripted. Eventually they will ask for money or other sensitive data. Straight and gay men have been caught by webcam beggars and can be highly traumatised by this: they are often very embarrassed and ashamed when they learn they have become a victim. This shame helps the scammer to hide and continue operating. One sign of this type of scanner are the same photo with different names, another is the promise that the scammer is about to visit your country.

On some introduction sites the scammer may be flagged by the community but will then close down and continue scamming with other 20+ accounts they have. They may however use the same photograph. Their profile may show inconsistencies and the photographs may be especially revealing.

Self Defence

This is something men especially vulnerable men, for example recently divorced or widowed do not want to hear: Why would a gorgeous 22 year old woman want to have a relationship with an old guy who has grey hair and a stomach large enough to cause a solar eclipse?

Women: why would a hunky 30 year old want to talk to a 45 year old woman who has let herself go and looks 60?

If in doubt avoid the person concerned. Never give information that can be used to extract money from your bank or to blackmail you. If chatting look for inconsistencies in the stories you read and be ready to bail out.

Before starting to look online for a partner set up your defences. If the person you meet is genuine they will never encounter these defences.

Do not keep unencrypted sensitive data on your machine. Remember that while you are chatting a malware program may be scouring your disc.

Ideally you would do all your romantic chatting in a virtual PC on your real PC, but not everyone can afford this option. However setting up a disposable address or an email address solely for online dating is a sensible idea. If you use an Apple computer setting up a password protected and encrypted virtual disk for your sensitive data is simple, less so on Windows. Apple provide File Vault which encrypts and decrypts all your data in the background but has been known to get into a state where the user cannot login because the virtual disc that holds their data has become corrupted. Open Office allows you to encrypt and password protect a file so you can keep your passwords etc easily available (keep the password to this file elsewhere).

And always hold back unless you have met the person in real life. Never let them know address or phone numbers, even if you met them in real life, unless you are sure.

If you have been scammed

You are probably beating up on yourself. Here is a simple procedure that may help. First write down all the details of what happened. You do not need to show it to anyone else but should make sure no one can accidentally read it. Then go out and get drunk, preferably with friends. If there is anyone you can trust to tell about the experience do so.

Then,  wiser and more cautious, go back to the internet and keep trying.

Remember that people smarter than you have been conned. Not just romantically. Do not let this experience put you off, just remember that there are relatively few scammers but more scammer profiles then honest profiles out there and when you get an email address google it with “scam” as an additional term. Remember some people out there are honest. Don’t feel bad about it. People who act always make mistakes – you can only avoid mistakes by doing nothing! A mistake means someone stopped talking long enough to do something.

The Wrap

Researching this was a necessary but not a pleasant experience. Romantic scammers damage more than the wallet. They damage the person they scam. Some of these people will live alone behind a wall of cynicism when they could have found the right person. The risk of being scammed increases the emotional and time costs of online search for a partner. Sensible precautions, like paying attention to the sort of language used, googling the other person’s email address, keeping your confidential data encrypted, separating romantic correspondence from the rest of your lite, holding back until you meet in real life, and even then checking and checking, making sure the other person knows you do not have money… All these help. Be careful but not too cynical.

Romantic scamming is not necessarily involved with large scale organized crime but can be an entrepreneurial response to poverty. Occasionally a romantic scammer falls in love with the mark but this is rare. As in other areas not all is black and white, but you do need to protect yourself.

I strongly recommend checking out the links below.

( trivia note: the word “scammer” seems to come from an 18th century French world “escameur” meaning the confidence tricksters who fleeced fairgoers).

Further Reading

[1] Wikipedia

[2]  Russian, Ukrainian and Black Scammers.

[3]  Real faces of scammers almost all Male.

[4]  Email addreses used by scammers.

[5]  Samples of messages Scammers send and  how they work

[6]  Links to academic articles on romance scams.

[7] Good advice applies to all countries not just Russia

[8] Asian romantic scammers

It is so blatant to recognize these schemes as they start off by telling you how you can get rich and they go on to assure you that they will help you get started, and publish a list of names of people who they claim have gotten rich through their plans, and after you get all excited and you get to the bottom of the document you realize that they want you to pay for their plan.

Now I ask you have you ever gone on an interview where the prospective employee has asked you to pay some money up front. Of course not that’s not how it works.
So be warned don’t get pulled into these scams, keep you hard earned cash in your pocket and if you really want to get rich quick, perhaps you might want to consider opening up a business of your own who knows it might very well be a success. Who knows stranger things have happened to people just like you and me.

Also if any offer sounds to good to be true then you can probably bet that it is, also look out for those high yeild investment scams or also know as a hyip these site are scam from day one and it only time before they pack you and leave with your money.

 In what is a travesty is a canadian email address to a legitimate company caught right in the middle of a scam. The applicant applied for a grant and the actual company exists, or did exist. The company was stating that they were helping people in need. the company email traced back to a company that has been around a little while at least.

 Apparently there is a scam within the chain or apparently the company information has moved or out of business and the scammers has taken over the information. However the situation we will see how this unfolds.

 wells fargo investigators were informed of the entire situation. No money was lost to the victim from Wytheville, VA. The Victim wishes to remain Anonyms. the victim wished to state,” It is a sad day when people are so intuned to money that real has no real value rather than people that should matter more.”

 Money actually has no legitimate value, in 1971 President Richard Nixon took the backing of gold and silver away from the US dollar in order to priont more for the Vietnam war. the Dollar has acrtually had a good faith value since.

These scam artists are not only preying on the common people but they are preying on the elderly as well. Social security now direct deposits funds to a receipients bank account but due to identity theft and victims actually volunteering their information because they think they owe a bill that does not stop the scammers.

Wells fargo will be investigating the validity  of this fraud situation. Remember do not give your personal information out at all. To counter act these people get a green dot debit card and do not activate it get the routing number and the account number for it and send that information that way your real account is safe and the con artisits will never be able to pull one on you.

First there were complaints of it being to hot to handle.

Meaning its temperature can get as high as 116 degrees.

This can be dangerous to bare skin, but other products also get quite warm.

In January several customers reported being scammed in Vancouver Canada.

On returning home with their new iPad that they paid big bucks for,

they discovered clay molds in the packages instead of the IPad.

Apparently the ingenious thieves had paid cash for their IPad then,

removed the iPad and shrink wrapped the packages with clay inside instead.

Then returned it to the stores where ususpecting employees restocked them on the shelves.

The stores involved were Best Buy,Future Shop and Walmart.

Now this scam has hit Toronto in a Future Shop.

This time a girl paid 700 dollars for a gift of an iPad for her brother.

When she opened the box at home it contained two freezer packs.

Future Shop totally unaware is replacing this item.

Please be sure if you purchase anything this expensive to open the package,

before you leave the store.

Out of curiosity, I clicked on two different highlighted options, but it took me to an error-type screen. I am glad that for this round, Verizon customers will not get scammed. Also, in the address box, it looked like several people were also on this mailing list, and all the names were very similar to my email address. So, someone has a list of emails, and is just taking them in order. 

This specific email will help the scammers perfect their phishing in several ways. They will possibly be able to figure out a way around the error screen block. They will learn to take out the other addresses so it is not so obvious. They will keep the logos and information at the bottom that is taken from a Verizon website, which lends credence to the “bill”. The “bill” itself was like an inlay within the Verizon framework, and altogether was a “patch” job, but not unbelievable by some who don’t know.

As more sophisticated phishers get this idea and start sending out “bills”, it pays to verify any bills you receive online by your account number. Also, if this is not how you typically pay your bills, call the company itself and verify that this bill is legitimate. If you are normally billed by mail, there is no reason for any company to be sending you a bill by email. Most companies do not have your email address anyway.

Some bills will look far more legitimate than the one I received. The amount will be more reasonable, more credible, and when you send your credit card number, it would actually go through to the scammers. With this number they can run your card into the ground with charges, or add it to the information they have already obtained, for identity theft.

I do not do online bill pay, but many people do, so receiving an online bill might not even get noticed by someone who has a suspicious mind. My suggestion is to not trust anything you receive in your email. I have even received emails from entities using friend’s names from my email contact list. Names that almost no one else has. This has happened three times. When I check with the friend or contact, they say they did not send it. It was usually about a product or website, and just a short sentence, “I saw this, and thought you might be interested.” My friends don’t talk like that. How they get people from my contact list, I do not know. These are private emails.

I am forced to conclude that in general, nothing and no one is to be trusted until the information is verified. When we understand that there are many, many people who spend their days and their technical talent perfecting ways to get our money, we will be a bit less likely to give it up for the phishers and scammers who are gaining ground on us each day, in spite of our best efforts.

With sadness I discovered a user on Triond who is a fraud and a scammer.  I have reported him to Triond admin and all they have done is to delete the four articles I showed them that had been published by someone else on the Internet.  I only did research on four of this Trionders articles and all four were plagiarized.  When I flagged these four articles Triond thanked me and deleted them. 

Let us take the very next article and see if it is plagiarized.  It is an article about food preservation.  Yes, it is.  It is from the now defunct Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia.  Just because a book or encyclopedia is defunct does not mean it is not copyrighted.  I venture to say that all of this Trionder’s articles and poems (I checked out one poem too, and it was plagiarized) are plagiarized. 

The author’s user name is eb1be2.  He claims to be from Rivers State, Nigeria.  He still lists me as a friend but I have delisted him long ago.  He has not published an article since Feb. 29, 2012, although I believe some articles that were deleted were more recent.

We all work hard to produce articles that are well written and useful.  His we all well written and useful (albeit somewhat outdated) and written by someone else.  He has made a few easy bucks. 

He appears to be a person named Ebube Miracle Obielechi from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.  He is all over the web pushing all kinds of get rich quick schemes.  He is on Facebook and Blogger.  His latest push is to get a paycheck every month for the rest of his life on Club4Cash.  Does he do it fairly on Club4Cash or by scamming?

I wrote a message to Triond telling them about his copyright infringements on Triond, never receiving a reply and he was never banned.  How many people have been banned from Triond for far less than plagiarizing every article?  I hope if any of you have his in your friends list you will defriend him.  

Loan Offers

With the economy being the way it is it is now harder then ever to get a mortgage, car financing and even a credit card. Con artists are targeting those who need a loan but can’t get approved. They reach out to people via phone or email, luring them to fake websites that offer financing. These websites can look trustworthy and very professional. They just ask that you fill out an application with your personal information and often state that no credit check is necessary. Of course the catch is that you will have to pay a fee in order for your loan to be processed. Not only will you lose money but often your identity.  No reputable lender will ever ask for money up front in order to get a loan. A company that offers no credit check loans is highly suspect and avoid revealing any personal or financial information on any of these sites.

Selling Items Online

Be wary of who you sell merchandise online to. The latest scam sees con artists from out of country purchasing things like electronics and paying for them with stolen paypal accounts. When the rightful owner of the account finds out it is impossible to track down the merchandise once it has left the country, and you could be stuck not only without the merchandise but maybe having to pay for it. Phone Paypal before shipping out of the country to make sure that the address matches the Paypal account they are using. In order to be protected by Paypals Seller Protection only ship to a confirmed address and if you have suspicions contact Paypal to make sure the account is legit.

You have Money Coming To You

You receive an email or a phone call saying that you have money coming to you and in order to release it you must provide your name address and financial information. There are various scams of this going, some offer you a free gift card from your credit card company or coupons. The goal is to collect your bank information and personal details to try to embezzle money or steal your identity.  Legitimate offers from companies or banks you deal with don’t need your personal information or your address as they already have it, so protect yourself and keep all your information to yourself. A legitimate inheritance will be done through a lawyer’s office that you can easily check the credentials of. The best way to protect yourself is to never give out any information personally or financially online or over the phone.

What To Do If You Think You Have Been Scammed

If you think you have been scanned report the scam as soon as possible to your local police precinct. Send a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission at ftcomplaintassistant.gov as well and also your state Attorney General. To find out the Attorney General for your state go to naag.org. Never follow unsolicited links that arrive in your email these can often allow scammers to follow your keystrokes catching your passwords and accounts online. Make sure your computer has security software that updates automatically, this helps to ensure that your accounts and passwords stay secure.

These measures address the phishing attacks:

1. For sites such as Facebook, create a bookmark to the login page, or type the URL directly in the browser address bar.
2. Do not click on links in email messages.
3. Only typed confidential data on a secure website.
4. Check your bank accounts regularly and report anything suspicious to the bank You.
5. Find a giveaway sign of a phishing email: if it was not directed personally to you, if You are not the only recipient of the email, if there are errors in spelling, grammar or syntax other bad or stiffness in the use of language.
6. Installing software for internet security and anti-virus still update.
7. Install security patches.
8. Be wary of email and instant messaging are not required.
9. Be careful when requesting login Administrator rights.
10. Back up your data.

Read also:

Facebook Animations Appereance

Tips on How to Temporary Disable Facebook Accounts

Tips How to Activate Your Facebook Account Which is Locked Meanwhile by Facebook Team

Tips on How to Overcome The on Hacking Facebook Account

Tips to Prevent Your Email Flooded by Facebook Notification

How To Hide Post Likes On Facebook

Compliments of the day.

Hope you have not forgotten me, I am Mr. Gracias Dare from Benin who
contacted you some time ago towards assisting me secure the release of my
late client funds to your account but could not finalized the transaction.

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the
transaction, the money has been transferred to Dublin.
I succeeded through the assistant of Mr. Barney Boatman who is a Dublin
base business man, he cleared the fees and the fund was transferred to his
account. Currently I am in Dublin with him and my wife and children.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,
you made me what I am now though you weren’t there to complete this
project with me but I give all the credit and thanks to you for your past
efforts . I know it is not your fault or rather your wish to back out on
me and the transaction. I understand it was your situation then.

In appreciation towards your assistance, I have mapped out as a
compensation and wrote on your favor a certified bank cheque worth of
usd$1,200,000.00, ( One million two hundred thousand,usd ) I left the
cheque with my account office Mr. Dodson Ayessi on my departure to Dublin.
I would like you therefore, to contact him on the below info. so that he
can mail the cheque to you without any delays. Please kindly be informed
that it is cash-able within 28 days so make sure you receive and cash it
before then.

CONTACT INFO. OF MY ACCOUNT OFFICER;

Mr. Ayessi Dodson
Email: ayessidodson@yahoo.com.hk

Contact my account officer in Republic of Benin so that he can release
your bank cheque to you. I will stop here.
Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed with your family.

Best Regards,
Mr. Gracias Dare.

The Hilton Urgent Job Vacancy Scam Email

HILTON GARDEN RESORTS LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.
225 EDGWARE ROAD, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM W2 1JU.
TEL :+44 871 9153 423
TEL :+44 703 1839 617
FAX:+44(0)7014234308
EMAIL: hiltonhotelplc@hotmail.com
WEBSITE:www.hiltongardenresorts.co.uk
OUR REF: HHI/JB/VOL/0864/10

ATTENTION:DEAR APPLICANT.

Hilton Garden Resorts is a five star hotel based in London and other part of the world after recommendation from labor consultant, we seek to write to your response on a Job opportunity.

The hotel need about 200 workers to sum up the already registered one,whom because many workers will be leaving the hotel,at the end of this year December because of the expiration of their contract with the company.

The hotel have the following vacancies and monthly salary:

(a) STEWARDS:£3,000 (b) WEB DESIGNERS:£4,000 (c) HOTEL SECURITY:£3,500 ( d)
CLEANERS:£3,000 ( e) LABORERS:£3,000, ( f) GARDENERS:£3,000 ( g)
DRIVERS:£3,500 (h) COOKS:£3,500 ( i) P.R.MANAGERS:£ 6,000 (j)
PLUMBERS:£4,000 (k) COMPUTER ADMINISTRATION:£5,000 (L)TECHNICIANS:£5,000,
(M) RECEPTIONIST:£4,000. (N)ACCOUNTANTS:£5,000 (O) BAR ATTENDANTS:£4,000
etc.

You are hereby, advised to contact the company through e-mail using the e-mail below: Kindly send your detailed Resume via EMAIL:hiltonhotelplc@hotmail.com

along with Scan Copies of your International passport copies, your passport number and two size photograph by email attachment for our review. Go to our website for more details: www.hiltongardenresorts.co.uk

Regards,
Sir. Anderson Scott
Manager Hilton Resorts.
+44 871 9153 423

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Scam Emails

When you check and read your emails you should be wary of scams that ask for private information, some emails trick you in to giving away personal information so that the scammers can then steal your identity (identity theft), or your money, these scams are commonly known as “phishing scams” because they “fish” for your information, the scam email above asks for a copy of your detailed resume, which may include a lot of personal information including contact details plus a copy of a passport, the details obtained could be enough for someone to steal your identity, this scam has been set up very well with a website that you could visit making it look very authentic however this page has since been removed, although time has been taken to make this look real the biggest fail that gives this away is the bad grammar and misspellings, at a time when many people are thinking of a change of career it is easy to see how some people could be fooled

How to recognize scams

Scams appear every day, so be very careful when replying with any details, if a email is from a genuine source then the personal details they are asking for would not normally be asked for by email, you can learn how to recognize these scams by familiarizing yourself with some of the tell tale signs like the one listed below.

Alarmist messages and threats that your account  will be closed

Deals that sound too good to be true.

Promises of large amounts of money for very little or no effort.

Requests to donate to a charitable organizations after a disaster that has been in the news.

Poor grammar and misspellings.

Please feel free to leave any stories or copies of scams in the comments section below