Düsseldorf – Police warn of further perfidious “love scamming” scams. Be careful about cheating on love!
The Düsseldorf police warn urgently about another perfidious scam known as “romance” or “love scamming”. In the past few days, our prevention commissioner has received a lot of calls telling our colleagues about this modern marriage scam.
What's behind it?
The so-called scammers are looking for potential victims on online dating sites or social networks. Once the perpetrators have made contact, the victims are showered with expressions of love and attention - with the sole aim of getting their money. The virtual partners pretend, for example, to have run into financial difficulties during a business trip.
In other cases, they need money for an important operation for their child or a relative. Stolen suitcases and passports, unpaid wages or an unpaid hotel bill are also used to persuade the unsuspecting victim to transfer money via Western Union or MoneyGram.
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And many do, after all, at this point they are already emotionally dependent on their Internet partner. There is always a promise to pay the money back. Fraudsters use fake profiles and pictures to contact their victims on social networks or dating portals.
It is not uncommon for identities of soldiers, successful businessmen or extremely attractive women to be used. The stories are diverse and serve to shamelessly exploit the willingness to help and the resulting emotional dependency of their victims. Third people are often used under legends to support the story of the perpetrator: the alleged doctor, notary or family members.
What should I do if I suspect that I have fallen victim to a scammer?
Do not respond to the scammer's demands. Under no circumstances should you transfer money. Do not cash checks or forward letters and packages - do not keep them either. If possible, revoke payments that have been made. Save all emails and chat texts for evidence purposes. Keep transfer receipts etc.
If you can't do it yourself, have computer-savvy friends and acquaintances read the so-called email header for you. Report this to the police immediately. Break off all contact. Do not respond to emails or calls from the scammer. It is best to get a new email address and telephone number.
For further information, please contact your advice center at the Commissariat for Crime Prevention and Victim Protection.
Telephone: 0211-8705249
Email: [email protected]
Or here .
This might also be of interest: Around 25,000 euros gone – 49-year-old falls for “love scamming”.
Source: Düsseldorf Police
Article image: Pla2na / Shutterstock
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