Trusting Strangers Is Natural But So Dangerous!

A Perfect Example: Investment Fraud via Dating Apps

Experienced fraudsters are taking advantage of a surge in dating app users.

LYON, France – INTERPOL has issued a Purple Notice to its 194 member countries outlining a specific modus operandi on dating applications.

The threat involves taking advantage of people’s vulnerabilities as they look for potential matches, and luring them into a sophisticated fraud scheme.

In the initial stages, an artificial romance is established via a dating app. Once communication becomes regular and a certain level of trust is established, criminals share investment tips with their victims and encourage them to join a scheme.

Victims then download a recommended trading app or visit a website and open an account, they then buy (invest in) various financial products and work their way up a so-called “investment chain”, all under the watchful eye of their new “friend”. They are made to believe they can reach Gold or VIP status – meaning make lots of money!

YES, SCAMMERS ARE CREATING THEIR OWN APPS AND FAKE WEBSITES! THIS IS A THING!

As is often the case with such fraud schemes, everything is made to look legitimate.

Screenshots are provided, domain names are eerily similar to real websites, and customer service agents pretend to help victims choose the right products.

One day, however, all contact stops, and victims are locked out of the account. They’re left confused, hurt, and worried that they’ll never see their money again. Unfortunately, this is probably the case!

INTERPOL’s Financial Crimes unit has received reports from around the world of this scam and is encouraging dating app users to be vigilant, be skeptical and be safe when entering into online relationships.

This has become especially important as people turn to online interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some tips to make sure online dating remains fun and doesn’t empty your bank account:

• Always be vigilant when you are approached by someone you don’t know, especially if it leads to a request for money;
• Be skeptical: online investments with promises of fast, amazing returns are often too good to be true;
• Think twice before transferring money, however genuine the request might seem;
• Do your research: check reviews, double-check the app, the domain name, the email address, etc;
• Don’t disclose personal/confidential information;
• If you realize you’ve been the victim of a fraud, report it.

Never Ever Take Investment Advice From An Unknown Stranger!

It should be obvious, but in today’s world scammers are everywhere and they can easily create fake websites and social media pages. They have billions of dollars to work with.

Trusting strangers is wired into us humans, but we have to learn to overcome it. Learn more about Stranger Trust here.

Even if the investment seems real, never use apps or software recommended by strangers. If you are looking to invest then learn the subject from legitimate news sources and use only real companies to handle these transactions.

Here are the basic recommendations:

• Talk with a financial professional first – make sure that they are licensed and certified in what they do.
• Establish a real budget for investing and make sure you can lose it all without catastrophic consequences to you.
• Never invest impulsively – always “sleep on it” and do your research. Good companies can still be bad investments.
• Talk with your family and real friends – see what they say – they may see things you do not.
• Never talk to strangers online about money – EVER!

Be safe, and please stop talking with strangers online!

TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Online Fraud, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Scam Avoidance, Dating Websites, Talking With Strangers, Accepting Investment Advice, Investments, Financial Advice, Financial Scams, Investment Scams