More than 100 people have lost more than R100-million in romance scams since 2011, according to an IOL report. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale told the publication that the figure is an estimate from the FBI.
What is a romance scam?
Southern African Fraud Prevention Service states that a romance scam “occurs when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.”
These scammers seem genuine, caring, and believable, says the FBI website.
They also show their care for you by asking you personal questions / details so that they get to know as much as possible about you. This can include asking for your personal email address, cellphone number, your home address, work place, profession etc.
These scammers would normally create profiles that show interests and hobbies that exactly match yours and they might present themselves as Mr/Mrs Right.
READ: Tinder Swindler: Have you been a fool for love?
Another common sign of scammers is how they profess love quickly and can even promise to marry you.
“Once they had ingratiated themselves with their victims, they allegedly concocted sob stories about why they needed money, taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etcetera,” Colonel Katlego Mogale told IOL.
Some of the scammers can even claim to need money urgently for emergencies,…
