Local Woman Duped out of $220,000 in Dating Scam

Monday, 13 November 2017 16:12

Police say the woman forwarded $220,000 over a 5 month period to a man she had had met online through a social media web site.

NORFOLK COUNTY - A woman from Norfolk County has lost over $220,000 after falling victim to a romance or dating scam.

Police say the woman forwarded the funds over 5 months ending last Thursday. The woman had met the scammer online and started a relationship with the man. The man kept asking her for money claiming that several emergencies had taken place. He told her that he wanted to make her his next of kin so that he could send her $1 million dollars, however she would have to pay the taxes on the money so that it could be transferred.

OPP are reminding the public to never wire money to anyone and to be careful when dating online.

"Single or recently unattached people - often females - are among the growing number of vulnerable population to be victimized by criminals through fraudulent means. Usually this occurs through contact online via e-mail blasts, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc…) or singles and dating-related 'meet' web sites."

Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of a Romance / Dating Scam

- Check web site addresses carefully. Scammer's often set up fake web sites with very similar addresses to legitimate dating web sites. Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating web sites.

- Never send money, or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country (using Western Union or MoneyGram) to this person you have never personally met should be a red flag.

- Don't give out any personal information in an email or when you are chatting online. Like any scam, use your computer to your advantage. Educate yourself. Check the person's name, the company name the addresses used, and ask yourself, "Would this be normal?"

- Ask yourself - "Would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or emails?"