Last Updated on by SCARS Editorial Team
Romance 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. Know No Borders
The following is reprinted from the United States Embassy to Russia website:
The U.S. Embassy receives reports almost every day of fraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim. committed against U.S. citizens by Internet correspondents professing love and romantic interest. Typically, the Russian correspondent asks the U.S. citizen to send money or credit card information for living expenses, travel expenses, or “visa costs.” The anonymity of the Internet means that the U.S. citizen cannot be sure of the real name, age, marital status, nationality, or even gender of the correspondent. The U.S. Embassy has received many reports of citizens losing thousands of dollars through such scams. American citizens are advised never to send money to anyone they have not met in person.
The internet dating scams include some common elements:
- Misrepresentation about the costs and requirements of a U.S. visa,
- Claims that they must buy airline tickets only in Russia,
- Use of professional models’ photos gleaned from internet web sites,
- Sudden financial hurdles to leaving Russia,
- Requests to send money only through a specific company,
- A scan of a (usually fraudulent) U.S. visa to prove intent to travel.
Please keep in mind that, while the U.S. Embassy in Moscow does not have the authorization to initiate investigations of these scams, the Fraud Prevention Unit can verify the authenticity of any U.S. visa via e-mail at FPMM@state.gov. In addition, complete and authoritative information on applying for a U.S. visa is available on the Department of State’s webpage on Visa Information for Temporary Visitors.
FAQs about Internet Dating Scams
Based upon previous inquiries, the Embassy has created a list of Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs) with answers. Click on the questions below to be taken to the answer.
1. I’ve heard a lot about Internet dating scams. I would like to know whether this person I have met is for real, but all I have is his/her name and photo. Is this enough to find out if she exists?
2. Can you tell me whether this U.S. visa is real or if this individual has applied for a visa?
3. I’ve heard there are blacklists of known Internet dating scammersDating scammers 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.. Does the U.S. Embassy have a blacklist? Where do I find a blacklist?
4. I think I have been scammed. I have sent this individual $2,000.00 and now I find out his/her visa is a fake. How do I get my money back?
5. I want to lodge a complaint with the Russian government and the U.S. authorities about being scammed. Can the U.S. Embassy help me? Who do I contact?
6. My foreign friend wants to come visit me but says that s/he must purchase insurance and have $300.00 in cash to show s/he can afford to travel. How much money are visitors required to show?
7. The individual I’m corresponding with says that s/he needs $1,000.00 to show for “pocket money” or the airline won’t let him/her board the plane. Is this true?
8. I would like to bring my foreign friend to the United States to visit and s/he says I must wire money for a ticket, but I don’t want to send it directly. If I send the money to the Embassy, can you buy the ticket for him/her? Can you recommend a travel agency to which I can send the money and have them buy the ticket?
9. My foreign friend says that s/he must go to a tour agency and pay $500 for a visa application and visa, and that it will take 2 months. Is this right? What is the procedure for Russians to get a tourist visa?
1. I’ve heard a lot about Internet dating scams. I would like to know whether this person I have met is for real, but all I have is his/her name and photo. Is this enough to find out if s/he exists?
Unfortunately, the U
