Many people meet their loved ones on the Internet. But both women and men repeatedly fall victim to the so-called romance scam.

In a romance scam, the fraudster forms an emotional bond with his victim. Once it has fallen in love with him, the first demands for money come. The West Palatinate police warn against this scam with a current case:

It is almost certain that a woman from the Kaiserslautern district has fallen for an internet scammer. He has already “pulled” several thousand euros out of her pocket, so to speak.

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The 51-year-old from the northern district met the man in November via a social network on the Internet and fell in love. However, a personal meeting did not take place because he was - allegedly - abroad on business.

The man also canceled the second planned meeting because of his business, but stated that “unexpected punitive tariffs” were due and that he now needed several thousand euros at short notice. He asked the 51-year-old to advance him the money and transfer it to the account of his “business partner in Switzerland”.

The woman ignored all her family's warnings, believed her online acquaintance and even took out a loan so that she could transfer the money to the man. Against the wishes of the 51-year-old, who does not want to admit the fraud, the family filed a police report.

Tips:

  • If contact with an online acquaintance can only be established via chat, email or telephone, extreme caution is advised.
  • At the latest when demands for money are made, break off all contact immediately, whether by chat, email or telephone.
  • Don't give in to the scammer's demands. Under no circumstances should you transfer money, cash checks, forward or keep letters and packages.
  • If possible, reverse payments made immediately.
  • Save all emails and chat texts on a CD or USB stick as evidence.
  • Inform the police immediately and file a report.

You might also be interested in: Romance Scam – Recognize and Prevent

Source: West Palatinate Police
Article image: Shutterstock / By Aaron Amat


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