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Love fraud on the internet: 37-year-old loses 44,000 euros to fraudsters!
In Vorpommern-Rügen, a man lost 44,000 euros to love fraudsters who made contact via TikTok. Warnings and tips for protection.
Love fraud on the internet: 37-year-old loses 44,000 euros to fraudsters!
In a shocking scam, a 37-year-old man from the Vorpommern-Rügen district lost an estimated 44,000 euros to love fraudsters. Loud Northern Courier The unfortunate story began at the beginning of September when the man came into contact with a supposed woman from England via the TikTok platform. Captivated by beautiful pictures and promising news, he quickly developed an emotional bond with the stranger.
The drama began when the woman tricked him into thinking she had a plane ticket to meet in person. But just before the trip, she ditched him, claiming she was sick and needed “help with online orders.” As a result, the man repeatedly transferred money to a crypto account, a process that took several weeks. When he finally asked for his money to be transferred back, he only received the answer that he would first have to deposit additional sums of money in order to access his deposits. The fraudster was not easy to understand.
Tips to protect yourself from romance scams
The police strongly advise those affected to come forward quickly in similar situations and not to fall for the scammers. That's how it describes Consumer advice center various signs that indicate a love scam. The use of fake photos is common. Scammers often use stolen images and use exaggerated compliments to elicit sympathy.
What is there to consider? Consumer advocates recommend looking for partners only on verified dating platforms and ignoring contact requests from unknown people. A healthy skepticism can help here: never accept an invitation from someone you don't know personally. In addition, you should be skeptical after the first requests to transfer money.
The Reality of Online Dating Scams
Online dating scams are a growing problem. Loud Kaspersky The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more people using digital platforms, which in turn encourages fraud. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of reported fraud cases in the US increased from 11,235 to over 52,000 cases.
Older people who have assets are often particularly vulnerable. Scammers lure their victims with stories of military romances or promises of quick emotional connections to get money. These scams are often based on a quick bond and the resulting trust, which they quickly exploit.
To take action against such scams, those affected should stop communicating immediately, create a new email account and save all chat-relevant evidence. Contacting the police quickly can help, even if it is often difficult to process what has happened.
In summary: Be suspicious, stay vigilant and talk to friends or family about your online contacts, especially if you see early signs of a scam. This is the only way you can protect yourself and your money.