Winnipeg Police create video to show the pitfalls of on-line romance scams

On-line scams are rampant around the globe stealing millions from unsuspecting people. Although they vary in how they scam works the ultimate goal of fraudsters is to separate you from your hard earned money or worse steal your identity.

Most of the scams work on emotion an urgency and many pray on the elderly. 

One of the most ruthless scams is one that undermines the victims emotions and trust while in many cases destroying them financially. Romance scams are becoming more and more prevalent as a larger portion of the population turn to on-line dating sites to meet a companion. 

It works like this: you meet someone on-line and over a matter of days and weeks you begin to develop a relationship hearing all the thing you went on-line for. As the trust grows the scammer will begin to manipulate the victim to provide money for travel expenses or payments to foreign governments or medical expenses. Often these scammers are in it for the long haul and will often keep coming back with request for money.

In this Winnipeg Police Service video the “Romance Scam” is dramatized.

Knowing the signs of fraud can help you avoid falling victim. Here are a few suggestions that you should follow: 

• Never send money to anyone you only know from an unsolicited phone call or email
• Avoid providing sensitive personal information online or over the phone in situations you did not initiate
• Research any request for money before making a commitment
• Find a “Fraud Buddy” – someone whose advice you respect – and run any request for money by them before you commit to it.
• Never feel pressured to make a quick decision, and
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  

Winnipeg Police say that most victims of romance crime have an average loss $25,000.00 and across Canada more than $20 million was stolen this way from 831 people in 2016.

If you, or someone you know is involved in a potential romance scam contact your local police department. In Winnipeg you can contact the WPS Financial Crime Unit directly at (204) 986-6231.

For more information about on-line fraud you can visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website by clicking the link below

RELATED LINK | Anti-fraud website

-News4 Staff-

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