SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCAM HISTORY: 6 Years Ago – A Adult Star/Model Sues Match.com For $1.5 Billion, Says Her Picture Was Used In Fake Profiles
This Groundbreaking Case Would Have Corrected Much That Is Wrong In Today’s Dating And Social Media Websites
Unfortunately, the selection of the plaintiff was seriously flawed. The initial plaintiff was Yuliana Avalos and it was alleged that her husband actually sold her photos to African scammers. The result is that the case collapsed and could not recover from this revelation.
However, the foundation of the case seemed sound and can serve as a template should enterprising attorneys want to step up and take this on again – against dating sites or against social media companies.
In the original suit in 2014, our own Dr. McGuinness, SCARS Director was the expert witness for the plaintiff’s legal team. SCARS would be pleased to help with expertise in future cases like this.
HERE IS AN ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM THE CASE
2014 – Dating Website Operators Caught Turning A Blind Eye To Scammers And Fake Profiles
The following article, reprinted in the public interest provided courtesy of http://www.businessinsider.com
A New York plaintiffs’ lawyer has filed a massive lawsuit accusing Match.com of knowingly approving hundreds, and possibly thousands, of fake profiles using pirated photos.
The lead plaintiff in the proposed class action is a mother and part-time model named Yuliana Avalos, who claims that her photo has been used in more than 200 fake Match.com profiles.
“Not a day goes by when someone doesn’t tell me that they saw my pictures posted on Match.com or another website,” Avalos said, in a written statement provided by her lawyer, Evan Spencer.
The allegedly bogus profiles on Match.com — and its niche dating sites like PetPeopleMeet.com and SeniorBlackPeopleMeet.com — are often posted by fraudsters outside the U.S. with foreign ISP addresses, according to the lawsuit. From the lawsuit:
While defendants’ sites presumably provide a legitimate forum for American citizens in the 50 states to meet new people for dating, relationships, and marriage, the truth is that a large percentage of profiles on these sites are fraudulent profiles posted by con-artists or scammers from international locations for illegal purposes, using the photographs of Plaintiff and members of the class without permission or consent.
These illegal purposes allegedly include “romance scams” in which fraudsters try to get love-seeking people to send money out of the country. The illicit photos come from modeling agencies and Facebook and even include photos of military servicemen and women, the suit alleges.
That suit is seeking $1.5 billion in damages for people whose photos have been used, as well as a court order requiring Match.com to use facial recognition software to stop fraudsters from using pirated photos.
The real scam here is this meritless lawsuit, which is filled with outlandish conspiracy theories and clumsy fabrications in lieu of factual or legal basis. We’re confident that our legal system is as adept as we are at detecting scammers and will dismiss this case in short order.
This is not the first time Match.com has been accused of approving fake profiles.
Last year, a judge threw out a suit brought by Internet daters who claimed half of Match.com profiles were inactive or scams. Those daters claimed they’d been duped into thinking the pool of Match.com daters was bigger than it actually was, and that Match.com had violated its user agreement.
Texas federal judge Sam Lindsay, however, ruled that the Match.com user agreement “in no way requires Match.com to police, vet, update the website content” or make sure the profiles are for real” Reuters reported at the time.
The most recent suit is a little different, since it was brought by the people whose pictures were allegedly used and not Match.com subscribers.
Rather than asserting breach of contract, this most recent suit asserts claims of copyright infringement, fraud, and negligence.
This newest suit says Match.com could easily eliminate all the fraud on its site if it gets software to stop international ISP addresses from posting domestic profiles in the U.S.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/yuliana-avalos-lawsuit-against-match-2013-11#ixzz2pb4HNKcG
READ THE FULL LAWSUIT FILING HERE
[pdf-embedder url=”https://romancescamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/186531508-Avalos-Complaint-pdf.pdf”]
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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