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Washington, D.C. --
The saying “love hurts” is proving true for consumers who have
searched for romance online, only to lose thousands of dollars
to a supposed suitor.
“The Sweetheart Swindle is often a long, drawn out process in
which the con artist nurtures a relationship, and eventually
convinces the victim to send money repeatedly over an extended
period of time,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director,
National Consumers League.
While NCL’s Fraud Center has only been tracking this type of
scam since July 2007, it gained enough momentum in the second
half of the year to move to the top 10 scam list. According to
complaints logged at NCL’s Fraud Center (www.fraud.org),
the average victim lost more than $3,038 last year to Sweetheart
Swindles. However, the full extent of the fraud is unknown,
given many victims’ reluctance to admit to being scammed.
“Scammers lurk in chat rooms and on online dating sites,
attempting to earn someone’s affections and trust so that they
can persuade him or her to send money,” Greenberg said.
Though the details of the scammers’ stories vary with each
individual case, the scenario commonly revolves around a tragedy
having befallen the scammer, and he or she desperately needs
money. After spending time communicating and building a
relationship with the victim, the scammer asks for help in the
form of money.
“Consumers need to use caution and common sense when dealing
with someone they haven’t met in person. Remember to never send
the person money in any form, no matter how compelling or
heart-wrenching their story may be,” Greenberg said. “Don’t let
your ‘love’ for your online suitor to allow you to be robbed
blind. While they may not love you, they would love to take your
money, so be sure to only consider giving money to someone
you’ve met in person, have known for a long time, and can truly
trust. Or be prepared to kiss your money – and your special
friend – goodbye.”
Indicators you may be dealing with a scammer:
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The person asks you for money, to cash a check or money
order.
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Your online sweetie says, “I love you” almost immediately.
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The person claims to be a U.S. citizen who is abroad, and or
claims to be well off, or a person of important status.
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The person claims to be a contractor, and needs your help
with a business deal.
“What consumers using these dating Web sites fail to recognize,
is that they may be working with professional con artists, many
who may even be using stolen identities with which to fabricate
information they’re giving out”, Greenberg said.
Two Tales of ‘Love’ Gone Wrong: Victim Sweethearts
“Susan”
Susan, a consumer who contacted NCL’s Fraud Center, met one such
scam artist on a dating Web site. She befriended a man from her
Kansas City, MO., hometown, who said he was working as an
Engineer in Nigeria. He wooed her for two months – sent her
flowers and said, “I love you,” – before he asked her for money.
Now, $35,000 later, Susan has taken out a second mortgage on her
house to pay off the credit card debt she amassed sending him
money.
“Donna”
In April 2007, Donna cautiously ventured into the world of
online dating. Within a week, she was contacted by a man with
whom she began to chat. They chatted multiple times a day for
seven months. He said he was a wealthy business man, who lived
in a nearby city and was temporarily in Africa on business. In
October, he said his contract in Africa would soon be up and
that he wanted to meet, but he needed $250 to hold him over
until a check cleared. Donna offended her new sweetie when she
expressed her hesitancy to give money to a stranger. So she sent
him the money, and later another $1,500, never to hear from him
again.
For
more stories of love – and money – lost through Sweetheart
Swindles, contact NCL’s communications department:
media@nclnet.org or (202) 835-3323, ext 114. |
