Exposing Heartless Schemes: How scammers are robbing both hearts and wallets
- Replies 1
Love is in the air, but watch out for cupid's arrow - it may not come from who you think! Valentine's Day may bring joy to many, but it can also bring out the less desirable side of humanity.
As the world has embraced online dating, so have scammers. So before you hand over your heart (and your wallet), be on the lookout for these slippery characters trying to sweep you off your feet during this season of love.
Sadly, the older generation is one of the biggest targets for these scams. In fact, according to Scamwatch data, Australians 65 years and above lost a staggering $40.7 million last year alone.
That's why, to coincide with the upcoming holiday, the SDC is warning our members to be extra aware of any suspicious behaviour from people they meet online.
When it comes to the tactics scammers use, Adekunle Adedeji, a former scammer-turned-(good)samaritan, knows about it first-hand. As a student, he would build relationships with women online (via social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram).
He even wrote a guide with tactics and tips to help prospective scammers get victims to fall in love with them.
Now, he's working for Social Catfish, a platform dedicated to helping potential victims verify a person's online identity using images, email addresses, phone numbers and online profiles.
Adedeji, who also goes by the alias Chris, revealed that the type of women he would try to target were usually 'older', as he found it easier to sweet-talk his way into a trusting relationship with them.
Another tip Adedeji includes in his guide is to observe a potential victim's social media pages for clues about their hobbies or interests. This can provide scammers with a way in, as many owners tend to post photos and information about their beloved pets.
Other tactics can include sending a barrage of flattery and compliments, expressing humour via jokes, maintaining a simple flow of conversation, and making contact late in the evening.
Now that he's working to help potential victims against these types of scams, Adedeji's advice is to always meet any love interest in person (in a public place), or at least speak to them on a video call as soon as possible.
If your potential love interest refuses to show their face, this is automatically a 'red flag' (a big no-no).
Similarly, you should always be wary of any sudden 'business' or 'investment' opportunities they may offer to you.
Known as 'romance baiting', this involves scammers convincing their victims to invest large sums of money into a product or venture with the promise of financial reward.
'If you start to feel pressured by your admirer, stop communicating with them,' ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
'When you meet someone online for the first time, try to get their phone number and speak to them over the phone - or meet them in real life. Do an internet search with the name or photo of your love interest or some of the phrases they have used to try to identify if it is a scam.'
Credit: ACCC.
If you suspect you've fallen victim to a scam, you must take immediate action.
Notify the website, app, or social media platform where the scammer initially made contact with you and provide them with the scammer's profile name and any other pertinent details. This will assist them in preventing others from being scammed.
If you believe you've given away your account information to a scammer, get in touch with your bank or financial institution at once.
We highly recommend that you report any scams to the ACCC through the 'Report a Scam' page. This helps to raise awareness about ongoing scams, track patterns and disrupt them where feasible. Please include the specifics of the scam contact, such as an email or screenshot, when making your report.
It's important to remember that the effects of romance scams go far beyond financial losses. These scams can cause profound emotional pain, leaving those affected feeling hurt, embarrassed, and even traumatised.
The scammers use manipulative tactics to build trust and emotional connections with their targets, making it especially difficult for victims to come to terms with what has happened to them.
If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress as a result of a romance scam, it's important to reach out for help. The trained crisis support volunteers at Lifeline are available 24/7 to listen and provide support. They can be reached by calling 13 11 14, providing a safe and confidential space to discuss your feelings and concerns.
Remember, you are not alone and help is available.
We hope this article is helpful, members! Stay safe this Valentine's Day!
As the world has embraced online dating, so have scammers. So before you hand over your heart (and your wallet), be on the lookout for these slippery characters trying to sweep you off your feet during this season of love.
Sadly, the older generation is one of the biggest targets for these scams. In fact, according to Scamwatch data, Australians 65 years and above lost a staggering $40.7 million last year alone.
That's why, to coincide with the upcoming holiday, the SDC is warning our members to be extra aware of any suspicious behaviour from people they meet online.
Scamming is a year-round activity and romance scams can be a real problem for those people looking for love online. Credit: Pexels/Dzenina Lukac.
When it comes to the tactics scammers use, Adekunle Adedeji, a former scammer-turned-(good)samaritan, knows about it first-hand. As a student, he would build relationships with women online (via social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram).
He even wrote a guide with tactics and tips to help prospective scammers get victims to fall in love with them.
Now, he's working for Social Catfish, a platform dedicated to helping potential victims verify a person's online identity using images, email addresses, phone numbers and online profiles.
Adedeji, who also goes by the alias Chris, revealed that the type of women he would try to target were usually 'older', as he found it easier to sweet-talk his way into a trusting relationship with them.
Another tip Adedeji includes in his guide is to observe a potential victim's social media pages for clues about their hobbies or interests. This can provide scammers with a way in, as many owners tend to post photos and information about their beloved pets.
Other tactics can include sending a barrage of flattery and compliments, expressing humour via jokes, maintaining a simple flow of conversation, and making contact late in the evening.
Online dating is becoming more popular, and scammers are using this to their advantage to target more people. Credit: Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez.
Now that he's working to help potential victims against these types of scams, Adedeji's advice is to always meet any love interest in person (in a public place), or at least speak to them on a video call as soon as possible.
If your potential love interest refuses to show their face, this is automatically a 'red flag' (a big no-no).
Similarly, you should always be wary of any sudden 'business' or 'investment' opportunities they may offer to you.
Known as 'romance baiting', this involves scammers convincing their victims to invest large sums of money into a product or venture with the promise of financial reward.
'If you start to feel pressured by your admirer, stop communicating with them,' ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
'When you meet someone online for the first time, try to get their phone number and speak to them over the phone - or meet them in real life. Do an internet search with the name or photo of your love interest or some of the phrases they have used to try to identify if it is a scam.'
Credit: ACCC.
If you suspect you've fallen victim to a scam, you must take immediate action.
Notify the website, app, or social media platform where the scammer initially made contact with you and provide them with the scammer's profile name and any other pertinent details. This will assist them in preventing others from being scammed.
If you believe you've given away your account information to a scammer, get in touch with your bank or financial institution at once.
We highly recommend that you report any scams to the ACCC through the 'Report a Scam' page. This helps to raise awareness about ongoing scams, track patterns and disrupt them where feasible. Please include the specifics of the scam contact, such as an email or screenshot, when making your report.
The scammers use manipulative tactics to build trust and emotional connections with their targets, making it especially difficult for victims to come to terms with what has happened to them.
Always try to meet people in person or via video chat, and if something is too good to be true, it probably is. Credit: Pexels/RODNAE Productions.
If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress as a result of a romance scam, it's important to reach out for help. The trained crisis support volunteers at Lifeline are available 24/7 to listen and provide support. They can be reached by calling 13 11 14, providing a safe and confidential space to discuss your feelings and concerns.
Remember, you are not alone and help is available.
We hope this article is helpful, members! Stay safe this Valentine's Day!
.png){kind=icon}
