HOW TO IDENTIFY A SCAM?

Any of the following behaviors should raise concerns that the person you are interacting with is a scammer:

::: Long distance relationships :::

• If you do come into contact with someone who is living in another city OR COUNTRY and can’t afford a plane ticket to visit, consider your options carefully.
• We advise that you never send money to anyone you have met online.
• If you have been in touch on email and phone, and you would really like to meet.
• We suggest you meet somewhere neutral or else if you are prepared to take a chance and meet someone in another state or city, visit them and pay your own way.
• Never send money to anyone that wants to visit you.

::: Declarations of love :::

• If someone you are in contact with starts declaring their love for you within a matter of weeks (or even days), be cautious.
• This is a RED FLAG and hints that you are talking to a scammer.
• The emails may be long and romantic, so be careful to use your best judgment.
• If you are unsure, get a second opinion from a friend or suggest a phone call with them to help you make a decision about this person’s intentions.

::: The age of the member :::

• Are they young and good-looking or out of your age range (such as younger by 20 years?
• This could be a scammer.
• Scammers target older victims.

::: Requests for money :::

• Beware of any mention of financial difficulty and the need or request for financial assistance.
• This can come in the form of requests for money to pay for a visa, an airfare or to help a sick relative, or asking for your personal or financial details.
• Beware of anyone asking you to use a wire transfer service.

::: Someone offers money to you :::

• These are always scams. Always.
• This includes emails requesting your account details so transfers can be made, and emails announcing that you’ve won a lottery or cash prize.
• Never accept to receive money for them either, money laundering is a serious crime punishable with jail time.

::: Identify a love scam :::

• Impersonating using pictures of good looking men from the USA or Europe on social networks.
• Impersonate with pictures of sexy women.
• Members of the military in Africa or the Middle East.
• A recent widower who would like to find a spouse.
• Someone of mixed heritage, the father originating from USA or Europe, while the mother is from Malaysia or vice versa.
• Have great and successful careers such as businessmen, doctors, government officials and so on.
• Stating that he is a former refugee from an African country and has funds in several countries that cannot be withdrawn.
• Suspicious and fake social media account with extremely limited personal photos (Three or five pictures only).
• Taking a long time to reply a message through email or other social networks.
• Trying to avoid communication through the computer’s webcam.
  Sweet and romantic nicknames were called in a short period of time.
• Using sweet words to seduce.
• Promising to marry.
• Will send packages containing lavish gifts.
• Will come to YOU to visit victims and families.
• Using a third party account (owned by a local citizen).
• The victim is required to pay for the parcel that was sent.
• Asking for money even if he has never met the victim.
• Asking for money for sick children.
• Asking for money for a child’s present.
• Business opportunities from someone you have never met.

THESE ARE ALL MASSIVE RED FLAG AND HINT THAT THIS PERSON IS A SCAMMER.

PASS THIS KNOWLEDGE ON AND SHARE IT WIDELY.

THE PERSON YOU SAVE COULD BE A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER.

At this point in time, every one of you know at least one victim and you probably don’t know it.