Above: Image by Peshkov/DepositPhotos
BitDepth#1386 for December 26, 2022
The evolution of romance and relationship related con artistry online has been a long one.
Indeed, the so-called Nigerian Prince scam predates the internet, and appeals would be sent via what’s now referred to as snail mail to snare the unwary.
Most modern emails consist of spam volume appeals for help or assistance, usually involving detailed stories of misfortune and loss or issues with moving money from foreign accounts.
In one twist, emails using details such as a name and email address that have been lifted from legitimate messages ask for financial help from a familiar name who is said to be stranded overseas.
The longest con jobs are perpetrated by scammers who trawl singles apps and social media looking for single and lonely people.
Holidays, particularly those suffused with sentiment, are times of year when these schemes can be particularly effective.
Social Catfish, a company dedicated to preventing online scams through reverse search technology, finds examples of any image fed into it wherever it can be found on the wider internet, social media feeds and known scammer databases. Results cost US$5.99 for five days’ access to the service.
TinEye.com is faster, but finds fewer image instances, while Google Images can sometimes deliver absurd results.
Neither of these free alternatives compares images against known scammers or images used to…
