HOW TO IDENTIFY A SCAMScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost.?

Any of the following behaviors should raise concerns that the person you are interacting with is a scammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the 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 scamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost.. 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 launderingMoney laundering Money laundering is the illegal process of concealing the origins of money obtained illegally by passing it through a complex sequence of banking transfers or commercial transactions. Money laundering can be done through various mediums, leveraging a variety of payment vehicles, people and institutions. is a serious crime punishable with jail time.

::: Identify a love scamLove scam Dating scammers or love scammers create fake identities on dating apps and social media to coax you into fake online relationships. They often quickly move to personal channels such as phone or email, using your trust to acquire money or personal info, or help you hide their criminal activities. You'll probably never meet them in person. This is a relationship 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.