When interactions online increase and living abroad becomes more common, you may find yourself more frequently encountering situations suspecting fraud. Additionally, while online platforms have made it easier to form romantic relationships and friendships, scammers are also exploiting these opportunities. Be cautious, they attempt to deceive you through various schemes.
Fraudulent groups justify their actions and exploit people's trust to cause harm.
So, whose responsibility is it? Those who initiate scams participate in their game, justifying anything they do and claiming that the deceived ones are to be blamed.
Eventually exploits ignorance, placing all responsibility on the victims.
Ask victims to shoulder all responsibilities.
I have personal experience of being harmed by someone I met online in the past. I recognize that it was my ignorance that caused and to be blamed.
I would like to share this to raise more awareness to avoid falling for scams,
and hopefully, be connected with someone who has a similar experience.
Unless you have built a long-term relationship of trust, you should not trust any user. Some may spend time building trust before making fraudulent requests. It's always necessary to be vigilant.
Scammers will create fake profiles and photos to deceive you. They may claim to be from an English-speaking country or to have lived abroad and offer help. It's important to find any inconsistencies in their English or the content of their conversations.
Common Online Dating Scam Tactics
・Introducing cryptocurrency investment platforms promising high returns, urging you to deposit money into fake websites. Initially, they make it appear as if you're earning profits and can withdraw them, only later withdrawals can't be made for various made-up reasons.
・Sharing tragic stories of significant family accidents or deaths to elicit sympathy.
・Claiming to have been treated poorly in past relationships to gain sympathy.
・Promptly asking to move the conversation to chat apps like LINE for dating purposes.
・Lying about being from a wealthy family and expressing a desire to share assets with you. They ask personal information.
・Claiming to be a maritime engineer, sailor, or oil rig worker, asking for money to pay customs duties for stuck packages.
・Pretending to be investors wishing to invest in your country, sometimes sending fake IDs.
・Stating they've just arrived in your country and want to make friends, later asking for help with clearance in customs for packages from their home country or having credit card issues.
・Sending fake flight tickets or passports to prove their identity.
・Claiming to be soldiers on peacekeeping missions in places like Syria, needing funds for return or wanting to practice the language with you, sending fake photos in uniform.
・Pretending to be busy doctors needing your help, while aiming to move the conversation to another chat app.
・Claiming to work as a doctor for the Red Cross or the military, needing funds to escape war zones.
・Offering benefits through bank transfers or verified checks.
In summary, scammers use kind words and maintain long-term communication to fake romantic interests or approach you with fabricated educational and employment backgrounds for investment scams.
Summary
These are all tactics to exploit you and request money. Be extra careful against romance scams and false credentials. Their methods are very sophisticated.
These stories are crafted to deceive you, drawing out sympathy, trust, and interest. Eventually, it will lead to some form of payment request.
Many scammers suggest moving the conversation to other chat apps like LINE or WhatsApp immediately. They use bogus excuses like Chat Apps are faster in response times.
Particularly, be cautious of strangers, who immediately suggest exchanging LINE contacts. This is a common tactic among scammers.
