“Love” by calculation: how to recognize a fraudster on a dating site

In the modern world, virtual novels increasingly end not with a date, but with the loss of money. About how scammers act in dating apps and how to protect themselves from them, the correspondent of the agency “Minsk-Novosti” told the head of the department for combating cybercrime of the Frunze police department Irina Vanyuk.

Photo is illustrative, photo magnific.com

The scheme is simple, but therefore dangerous. The scammer creates an attractive profile with other people’s photos and videos to win over the victim. For weeks or even months, he portrays sincere feelings. And then there's a request for money. The reason is standard:

1. 1.ticket for the meeting;
2. 2.treatment of a sick relative;
3. 3.urgent problems that need to be solved right now;
4. 4.gifts, but with the condition to pay customs duties.

That’s how the tricks almost fell 57-year-old resident of the Frunze district. She met on social media with a man who allegedly lived in Germany. After a few months of communication, the “beloved” announced that he was sending her a parcel with jewelry and outfits. The woman was happy, but immediately received a request to transfer 1,000 BYN to pay for delivery. Minchanka believed unconditionally and went to the bank. Employees of the financial institution saved the situation: they noticed that the woman was going to send a large sum abroad, and reported to the police. She's got the money.

The law enforcement officer gave advice on how not to get caught in the network of scammers:

1. 1.do not send money or prepayment to people you do not know personally;
2. 2.do not share intimate photos and photos of documents;
3. 3.check the photo through the browser’s search bar to make sure the pictures are not stolen from a real person.

If you or your loved ones have encountered fraudsters, contact the police at 102 or the territorial authority of the interior. Vigilance is the best defense. Don’t let your feelings override your common sense.