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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 6, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cryptocurrency ( 52 ), pig butchering scam ( 16 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Inside the world of romance and crypto scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In the digital age, where connections are made with a swipe or a click, the promise of love and wealth can often be just a facade. Behind the screen lurks a growing threat – the pig butchering scam. One man’s story is a chilling reminder of how easily trust can be exploited, leaving lives shattered and savings decimated.

  The man’s journey began innocently enough through a virtual encounter with a woman on social media. What started as casual chatting soon spiraled into a whirlwind of emotions, with promises of romance and financial prosperity. The woman’s tale of a vast fortune held captive by familial ties tugged at the man’s heartstrings. Little did he know, he was being reeled into a meticulously crafted scheme.

  As the relationship deepened, so did the demands. Driven by love and the allure of significant returns, the man emptied his savings, liquidated assets, and even considered taking out loans to fulfill the woman’s requests. The facade began to crack when an unexpected call from the FBI shattered the illusion. The man was just one victim among thousands, ensnared by the promise of love and wealth, only to find himself on the brink of financial ruin.

  The pig butchering scam, aptly named for its ruthless exploitation of victims, is a sophisticated operation orchestrated by organized criminal groups primarily based in Southeast Asia. These criminals meticulously research their targets, exploiting vulnerabilities and manipulating emotions to gain trust. Victims, from all walks of life, find themselves entrapped in a web of deceit, their dreams turned into nightmares at the hands of heartless fraudsters.

  The scale of this deception is staggering, with losses surpassing billions of dollars and leaving behind a trail of shattered lives. Victims are left grappling with the harsh reality of their circumstances, their hopes dashed, and their futures uncertain. The toll extends beyond financial hardship, with emotional distress and physical ailments plaguing those who fall prey to these schemes.

  However, amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. Law enforcement agencies, armed with advanced cyber techniques, are waging a battle against these fraudulent operations. Through proactive intervention and collaboration with financial institutions, some victims have been spared from further devastation, and stolen funds have been recovered.

  This cautionary tale serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the digital realm. The words of warning echo loud and clear – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Behind the veil of promises lies a harsh reality, one where trust is exploited, and lives are shattered. As we navigate the virtual landscape, let us remain vigilant and wary of the wolves in sheep’s clothing, lest we too fall victim to the costly deception of romance and crypto scams.

   

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  Geebo 9:06 am on January 25, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: CIA ( 2 ), police impersonation scam ( 71 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  The romance scammer who posed as a CIA agent 

  

  By Greg Collier

  We’ve consistently advised our readers that once you’ve been targeted by a scammer, the likelihood of further exploitation increases significantly. Take, for instance, falling victim to a sweepstakes scam – the scammer often concocts additional reasons for the victim to continue paying. Furthermore, scammers trade the information of their victims among themselves, leading to potential multiple scams on the same individual. In some instances, the same scammer may return with an entirely new scheme, using any means necessary to manipulate the victim’s trust, and they are doggedly persistent.

  A few years ago, a Massachusetts woman found herself ensnared in the web of a romance scam. Believing she was in a genuine relationship with a man purportedly working on an overseas oil pipeline, she unwittingly sent a staggering $150,000 over time to the scammer. Although she eventually became aware of the deception, the ordeal did not conclude there.

  After severing communication with the romance scammer, the victim found herself confronted with a new and alarming tactic. Months later, she began receiving emails allegedly originating from the CIA. These messages took an ominous turn, threatening her with arrest and asserting that the individual she had sent money to in the romance scam was now being labeled as a terrorist. The victim was explicitly warned against discussing the matter with anyone, including family, friends, or attorneys, under the ominous threat of immediate arrest.

  When pressed to identify himself, the scammer resorted to sending the victim a picture of a novelty CIA badge and ID, easily obtainable online. The deceptive tactics persisted until the victim asserted her boundaries, insisting that any meeting with the purported agent would only take place at her local police station. It was only at this point that the relentless harassment from the scammer finally ceased.

  Indeed, falling victim to a scam and suffering significant financial losses is distressing on its own. However, the added layer of enduring verbal abuse and facing threats of arrest exacerbates the trauma.

  In addition to the initial romance scam, the scammer tried to ensnare the victim in another layer of deception known as the police impersonation scam. Scammers frequently adopt the guise of law enforcement officers or agents, utilizing intimidation tactics to manipulate victims into complying with their demands. A common element of this scheme involves warning victims that they are prohibited from discussing the matter with anyone, threatening arrest for non-compliance. The underlying objective is to isolate the victim, preventing them from seeking assistance or confiding in others who might recognize the scam. This calculated tactic aims to maintain control and prolong the deception without external interference.

  In safeguarding against the unsettling threat of police impersonation scams, vigilance and skepticism are paramount. Authentic law enforcement agencies do not make unsolicited calls demanding immediate action or payments. Verify the legitimacy of any communication by independently contacting the supposed agency using official contact information. Never share personal or financial information over the phone unless certain of the caller’s authenticity. If faced with coercive demands and threats of arrest, remain calm and seek advice from trusted individuals or law enforcement directly. By staying informed, questioning unexpected communications, and maintaining open lines of communication with trusted contacts, individuals can fortify themselves against the manipulative tactics employed by police impersonators and other scammers.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 10, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: celebrity scam ( 3 ), impersonation scam ( 158 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Celebrity romance scam victim accused of poisoning husband at direction of scammer 

  

  By Greg Collier

  One version of the romance scam we don’t talk enough about is when the scammers pose as a celebrity.

  Scammers create a fake profile on social media or dating websites, using the name, photos, and other information of a popular celebrity. They may also use stolen images from the internet to make the profile appear more convincing.

  The scammer initiates contact with potential victims, often reaching out to them via direct messages, comments, or friend requests. They may use flattering language and compliments to make the target feel special.

  The scammer invests time in building a virtual relationship with the victim. They may engage in conversations, share personal stories, and express romantic interest to create a sense of emotional connection.

  At some point, the scammer introduces a fabricated crisis or urgent situation that requires financial assistance. This could be a medical emergency, legal trouble, or any other scenario designed to evoke sympathy and a desire to help.

  However, there’s at least one scammer out there who has no compunction about asking his victims to kill.

  This scammer posed as a 57-year-old soap opera star, and targeted a 64-year-old married woman. There aren’t many details on how the scam was perpetrated in this instance, but what is known is the victim did give $8000 to the scammer. Apparently, that was not enough money for the scammer.

  Last month, the woman’s 73-year-old husband was rushed to the hospital with an unknown ailment. While at the hospital, the couple’s daughter noticed strange messages on her mother’s phone that appeared to come from the soap opera actor.

  The message from the scammer that allegedly started this whole incident read, “You have to get rid of your husband honey. I need you so much.” The woman replied that she would be making soup for her husband that would be a special recipe. After her husband was taken to the ER, she sent another message stating that her husband wasn’t feeling well, and maybe she could collect a life insurance payout. The scammer asked her when would that be.

  If it wasn’t for their daughter, the husband may have been murdered at the behest of a scammer. Unfortunately, there is no happy ending in this story, since the wife has been charged with attempted murder.

  While often romance scam stories are dismissed as gossip and sensationalism, they can have grave repercussions. Romance scams affect both men and women, and have victimized people from every walk of life. It can affect people who are living paycheck to paycheck, and all the way up the corporate chain to CEOs. In too many instances, victims have lost their lives or their freedom after falling victim to such scams.

  To avoid falling victim to celebrity impersonation romance scams, it’s crucial to exercise caution when interacting with individuals online, especially those claiming to be famous personalities. Be skeptical of requests for money from people you’ve never met in person, and verify the legitimacy of online connections before sharing personal information or financial details. If in doubt, consider reporting suspicious activity to the platform administrators.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 27, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: embezzlement ( 2 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Romance scam victim accused of embezzling $3.75M 

  

  By Greg Collier

  While we often believe ourselves to be savvy navigators in the online world, the truth is that anyone can become entangled in the intricate web of a romance scam. The illusion of connection, coupled with the emotional vulnerability inherent in seeking love, renders even the most cautious individuals susceptible to deception. In this age of interconnectedness, the line between genuine affection and calculated deceit has blurred, leading unsuspecting hearts down a perilous path. Individuals from all walks of life can unwittingly fall victim to the allure of a virtual romance, sometimes at the cost of their own well-being.

  For example, a woman from Minnesota was recently charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing millions from her employer, so she could send the money to a scammer she thought was her romantic partner. The scammer told her he was in Dubai and was owed $7 million for work he did there. Romance scammers often pose as businessmen who work overseas so they can have a convenient reason for not meeting their supposed romantic partners in person. The scammer claimed he needed to borrow money in order to access the money he said he was owed.

  From here, the woman is suspected of embezzling money from the company she worked for. Her duties within the company were working remotely handling the company’s payroll, accounts payable, and general bookkeeping, meaning she had access to the company’s money.

  Eventually, the company noticed irregularities in their books and hired an outside financial investigator. The woman was fired for allegedly embezzling $3.75 million from the company. When she was interviewed by state investigators, she allegedly told them she had permission to borrow the money from the company.

  It has become increasingly evident that vulnerability knows no boundaries. Regardless of educational background or socioeconomic status, the human desire for connection and companionship remains a universal force. Romance scams, with their sophisticated tactics and emotional manipulation, can ensnare individuals across the spectrum of society. The misconception that only the gullible or uninformed are susceptible is debunked as we recognize that these scams prey on fundamental human emotions, transcending educational achievements or financial standing.

  The red flags of a romance scam should never be ignored. If the person you’re communicating with constantly gives excuses for not meeting face to face, they’re hiding something, which typically is the fact they’re not who they say they are. Requests for money before ever meeting face to face are also a dead giveaway of a romance scam. Keep in mind that scammers will foster relationships with their victims for months while showering them with affection before asking for money. If you feel like you may be talking to a scammer, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone close to you to get their opinion.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on November 30, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: FBI ( 24 ), police impersonation scam ( 71 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Celebrity romance scam had deadly consequences 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A pair of alleged romance scammers from New Jersey have been arrested after investigators discovered their involvement in scamming an elderly Tennessee man. The pair convinced the man that he was having an online relationship with a well-known female celebrity. Then the scammers convinced the man that they were with the FBI, and the celebrity was suing the man for harassment. That’s when the scammers started demanding money from their victim.

  The man was told he would need to pay fines to resolve the lawsuit. He sent the scammers a $5500 check. However, the check was made out to the FBI, meaning the scammers couldn’t cash the check. Apparently, the scammers were incensed by this because they told the man he would now have to pay $40,000 for failing to follow instructions. Before it was all over, the man paid close to $90,000 to the scammers, with him even taking out a loan on his car.

  It’s unknown if the man realized he was being scammed as he took his own life last month. After his passing, the man’s family found emails related to the scam and contacted police.

  We hope that our readers’ first thoughts when seeing this story aren’t “I would have never fallen for this scam.” If they were, we’d like to remind you that a man has been lost from his family due to the actions of greedy and reckless scammers. While you may not have fallen victim to this scam, there’s probably someone in your family who would. Now, imagine the heartbreak of losing them to a pointless scam like this.

  While most romance scams don’t veer off into police impersonation territory, always be wary of online relationships where your supposed partner can’t meet you in person. Also, please keep in mind that no law enforcement agency will ever ask you to make payments over the phone or through email.

  If you know someone who you suspect may be the target of a romance scam, please try to talk to them about such scams before they become victims.

  (If you or someone you know is contemplating the unthinkable, please know that there is no shame in reaching out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is accessible 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255, and you can also visit their website for support. You can also reach the lifeline by dialing 988. This new three-digit number is designed to provide easier access to mental health support services.)

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on November 21, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: IRS ( 26 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  IRS warns of romance scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  When many people think of the Internal Revenue Service, they only think of having to pay their income tax to the government. However, the IRS also has a Criminal Investigation Office. These are the federal agents tasked with going after scammers and scam rings. Recently, the IRS sounded the alarm on romance scams after a Federal Trade Commission report said that over 70,000 people lost a combined total of $1.3 billion in 2022. And those are only the ones the government knows about. Many romance scam victims never come forward out of embarrassment.

  If you’re unfamiliar with romance scams, they mostly target women, but it’s not unheard of for men to be victims as well. Romance scammers also tend to target the elderly as well, but anyone of any age can be a victim.

  These scammers largely find their victims on social media, dating platforms, and sometimes online games. Romance scammers are very patient and will trick their victims into believing that they’re in a real relationship. More often than not, the scammers will pose as someone living or working overseas. The victims will experience a process known as ‘love bombing’ where the scammer will dote on their victims with little romantic touches.

  These relationships will be cultivated by the scammers for months before they finally approach their victims for money. The scammer will usually have a story about how some kind of emergency has come up, and since they’re overseas, they can’t access their own money. Or they’ll claim they need the money as part of an investment in their business. All the while, the scammers will promise their victims they’ll repay the money when they finally meet in person.

  Except, romance scammers will never meet their victims in person. Often these scammers use someone else’s identity that they found online. They’ll use pictures of other people they stole from social media, and even use that person’s name in their scam. But, they’ll continue to ask for money until the victim is either broke or finally catches on to the scam.

  Here are some recommendations from the IRS to help you steer clear of falling prey to romance scams. Refrain from sending money to individuals you’ve only interacted with online or via phone. Exercise caution when sharing information publicly on the internet. Approach new relationships with a deliberate pace and ask probing questions. Stay vigilant if someone appears too flawless or hastily urges you to transition from a dating service or social media platform to alternative means of communication. Be wary of individuals attempting to isolate you from your circle of friends and family. Avoid sharing inappropriate images or financial details that could potentially be exploited for extortion. And lastly, exercise suspicion if promises of an in-person meeting are made but never materialize.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 10, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: AI ( 20 ), chat bot ( 2 ), ChatGPT, romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Scammers employ new weapon in romance scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Whenever someone develops a new and useful tool, it’s only a matter of time before someone uses it for criminal purposes. The large language model ChatGPT was released to the public last year. Essentially, you can give ChatGPT any kind of prompt, and it will write it out for you. Want to write a professional sounding email to a prospective employer, it can do that for you. Want to have it write a script about Batman meeting Abraham Lincoln? It can do that too. Do you want to have ChatGPT craft the best romantic responses to keep a lonely victim believing they’re in a committed online relationship? Unfortunately, it can do that too.

  According to cybersecurity experts, scammers have developed their own chat AI that will produce authentic looking messages to romance scam victims. For the initiated, romance scammers typically prey on the single and widowed by pretending to be an online romantic interest. These scammers will cultivate a phony online relationship using fake names and pictures, along with a story about how they can’t meet in public. The scammers will cultivate these relationships for months before asking the victim for money. Victims have lost thousands of dollars and even up to millions of dollars each to these scammers.

  Now, armed with an AI chatbot of their own, romance scammers almost have a ‘set it and forget it’ setting for running their scams.

  However, while this may make the romance scam appear more like a legitimate relationship, the steps someone can take to protect themselves are still the same. Anytime a prospective partner sends you a picture of themselves, use Google’s reverse image search to make sure they didn’t steal it from someone else’s social media. If they claim to be working overseas or somewhere where they can’t travel from freely, there’s a good chance they’re a scammer. Lastly, if they ask for money without meeting first, it’s almost guaranteed that they’re a scammer.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 27, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cryptocurrency ( 52 ), pig butchering scam ( 16 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Widow strung along for years in ‘pig butchering’ romance scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  You might think it was Valentine’s Day with all the recent news about romance scams lately. However, the recent spate of romance victims coming forward not only shows that romance scams can happen at any time, but also how nefarious they really are. Yet, there is a romance scam that stands above all the others, as it has claimed tens of thousands to upwards of a million dollars from its individual victims.

  It’s called the pig butchering scam because the scammer ‘fattens up’ their victims using emotional manipulation before leading their victim to the financial slaughterhouse. While it may sound violent, it’s not, but can be just as devastating and traumatic.

  After gaining the victim’s trust, scammers convince them to invest in cryptocurrency. They guide the victim to a fake cryptocurrency exchange they control, making it seem like the investment is growing quickly. But when the victim tries to take out their supposed profits, they’re told they need to pay more money before they can get their earnings. No matter how much they pay, the victim never gets any returns.

  A widow from Baltimore recently came forward with her story about falling for this scam. She was just playing the online game Words with Friends when she was approached by her scammer. This is a good example of the innocuous places where scammers can lie in wait for their victims. Who expects to run into a scammer in such an innocent game?

  The scammer claimed to be a man named Micheal who was working overseas in Turkey. He claimed to be a widower with children around the same age as the victim’s children. Romance scammers will often assume the identity of someone who closely resembles their victims.

  After striking up a relationship with the victim, the scammer moved the conversation away from the game and on to the WhatsApp messaging app. This is another red flag, as scammers will try to get their victims away from the platform where they first met so no one will see their messages to their victim.

  While some scammers can wait months before asking their victims for money, this scammer waited an entire year before asking his victim for money. In that year, he was showering the victim with affection, talking about how they were going to get married and buy a home together. This is known as ‘love bombing’.

  Then the scammer convinced the woman to invest $35,000 into cryptocurrency. He directed her to a phony cryptocurrency exchange that was supposedly based in the UK. After sending in her $35,000, the phony exchange made it appears as if she made close to a million dollars. Except, she couldn’t take the money out of the exchange without paying a $17,000 ‘processing fee’. All the while, the scammer kept convincing her the money was real. The victim even paid money to ‘Michael’ to help pay the bills for a car accident Michael’s son was in. Once scammers know they have hooked their victim, they’ll keep asking for money until there’s no money left, and will still keep asking. Other victims of romance scams have taken out loans and even embezzled to send money to who they think is their romantic partner. The victim in today’s story kept giving money to the victim even after a friend warned her this could be a scam.

  While you may recognize a romance scam, someone you know may not. If you think someone you know is being scammed, don’t be judgmental, but show them this blog post or other news articles about the scam. Recognize that it may take time for your friend to come to terms with the possibility that they’re dealing with a scam. Be patient and continue to provide support. Ultimately, your role is to provide guidance and support while respecting your friend’s autonomy. It’s essential to strike a balance between offering assistance and allowing them to make their own decisions.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 22, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Widow homeless after romance scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  As we featured in our last post about romance scams, romance scammers will lead their victims on for months before asking for any money. Meanwhile, these scammers are manipulating the emotions of people who are just looking to stave off loneliness. People whose partners have passed away are often targets for romance scammers.

  It’s not just a few bucks we’re talking about, either. We’ve seen reports where romance scam victims have lost anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to over a million dollars. Romance scammers are in it for the long haul and are willing to wait a long time to get money like that. And it’s not just money that the victims lose.

  A widow from the state of Georgia struck up a relationship with a man she met online. The man claimed to have lost his wife as well. He also claimed to be a doctor working for the Red Cross in Yemen. If someone isn’t aware of how the romance scam works, they may just think they’ve met an incredible partner. Not only is the man supposedly a doctor, but he’s working for a charity overseas in a war-torn country.

  Those who are familiar with the scam will recognize the red flags. Romance scammers almost always claim to either have some high-paying position or are in the military. The Middle-East is a popular location for scammers to claim where they’re working at. Due to the political instabilities in many Middle-Eastern countries, scammers use these to concoct many excuses for either their money requests or why they can’t meet in person. We’ll get to more of that shortly.

  Getting back to the story at hand, the scammer in this story told the Georgia widow he wanted to buy a house with her in Cary, North Carolina. The scammer claimed he would pay $600,000 for the home, while all she would need to pay would be $78,000 that she needed to wire to him, which she did.

  She was provided with an address and pictures of the house in Cary. When she arrived there with all her belongings, she discovered someone was already living there. That’s when she realized she had been scammed. She tried confronting the scammer, but the scammer stuck with his story, even sending her a picture supposedly showing that he had been beaten up in Yemen.

  Now, the widow has very little to her name except for a camper which someone from a local church donated to her. She should be commended for having the bravery to share her story publicly, as many victims don’t. According to the Federal Trade Commission, victims lost more than a billion dollars to romance scams, and that’s only from the ones who came forward.

  Romance scams raise significant warning signals. These scams exclusively rely on online communication and often involve the perpetrator sharing a heart-wrenching narrative. Moreover, if at any point you are solicited for money, whether through wire transfers, Bitcoin purchases, or gift card requests, consider it a definitive indicator of a scam.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 12, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: oil rig ( 4 ), romance scam, Scams ( 1,429 )   

  Just how methodical are romance scammers? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  There seems to be this impression that victims of romance scams are just lonely and lovesick people who fall head over heels for their scammer immediately. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Romance scammers are very good at what they do and are very meticulous in grooming their victims. The scammer could string their victim along for months before they even think about asking for money.

  For example, a Massachusetts woman met her scammer in October of last year. She met him on a dating site, and she believed he was a hardworking widower. The victim states that the scammer acted like a perfect gentleman and gave no hint of being a con artist.

  He claimed to be an oil pipeline worker, who was on a job in Saudi Arabia. For those who are familiar with romance scams, this would have been a double red flag. Not only do romance scammers often pose as people who work overseas, they also pose as offshore oil rig workers. Both of these are done so the scammer can maintain plausible deniability as to why they can’t meet in person.

  Getting back to the story, the scammer provided the woman with a copy of his passport, and the couple even had video calls together. The news report does not go into specifics, but we have to wonder if some kind of AI was involved in the video calls or if this was a case of a brief video before the scammer claimed his camera malfunctioned. Either way, the victim had no reason to believe she was on the road to being scammed.

  It wasn’t for another six months before the scammer started asking the victim for money. He told her that he was having trouble accessing his bank account and needed to buy a specific part to do his job. Once the victim sent the money after this first request, subsequent requests for money followed. Before it was all over, the victim had sent $200,000 to her scammer. It wasn’t until he failed to meet her at the airport when she realized she was being scammed. The scammer claimed to be in the hospital after a car crash.

  However, the scammer continued to call her asking for money. When that didn’t work, the scammer posed as an FBI agent, telling her not to talk to anyone about being scammed. So on top of a romance scam, we get a police impersonation scam as well. There is no depth scammers won’t sink to.

  In conclusion, the tales of romance scammers who invest months in their deceitful ploys serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and caution in the digital age. These cunning individuals manipulate emotions, trust, and vulnerability to achieve their malicious goals. By sharing stories and raising awareness about this issue, we empower ourselves and our loved ones to recognize the signs and protect against such heart-wrenching scams.