AwareGO | Beware of Romance Scams and Catfishing
Watch out for red flags in new digital relationships. Preying on people’s loneliness is a common tactic of scammers.
Cybercriminals are always becoming more cunning at exploiting human vulnerabilities to trick people into handing over sensitive information or money. This also applies to the world of online dating: scammers are active on various dating platforms, where they try to take advantage of others’ trust and generosity by feigning romantic feelings. This can also be done through #catfishing.
These are known as romance scams, in which scammers prey on people searching for love and human connection. Typically, a scammer catfishes using a fake profile, and builds up a relationship with an unsuspecting victim over time with the aim of getting them to send them cash, luxury gifts, or even personal information that can be used for identity fraud. When meeting in person is suggested, they often ask for money to cover the cost of travel, but then at the last minute, they make an excuse why they can’t make it. They might claim to have had an accident (for which they might need money, again, to pay the alleged hospital bills) or other unforeseen circumstances, such as a business crisis.
Always be suspicious when someone from a dating app asks for money or gifts in order to continue the discussion or keep the relationship going.
Romance scammers often prey on vulnerable and lonely people. So take care to recognize the signs of romance scams and catfishing, not only towards yourself but also towards your loved ones. Always report suspicious profiles to the platform. And if you or your loved one have been a victim of a romance scam or catfishing, report it to the police and to your bank to prevent any further misconduct from the scammer.
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