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That’s what happened to a Glen Rock resident who ended up wiring the dough to a sweet talker in the Dominican Republic. Suffice to say: It wasn’t coming back.
Although $3,500 is a significant sum to some, it’s couch cushion change compared with the $450,000 in crypto lost last year by another romance scam victim from Glen Rock.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, a staggering $1.3 BILLION was lost by 70,000 victims of romance scams across the country last year.
"Most of these scams are perpetrated by individuals from foreign countries and out of the reach of US law enforcement," Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said.
One of Ackermann's detectives last year discovered several victims who didn’t realize they were laundering money for a scammer in Africa.
LOOKIN' FOR LOVE: Police Detective Sniffs Out Online Scam That Victimized Glen Rock Man, Others
How do the con artists do it? Easy.
“They’re masters at the art of manipulation,” Ackermann said.
They pay complete attention to the information you share, then transform themselves into your perfect match.
You like this thing? So do they.
You want to settle down? Get out! Them, too.
Forget about meeting. They’ve already rendered that moot by claiming they’re stationed overseas or work on an oil rig. They could say they’re sick. Or hurt. Or in prison.
Most victims unfortunately have their hearts set on a connection and completely miss – or simply ignore -- the signs.
As Ackermann said, people “often do not suspect that they are falling victim until it is too late."
Dating apps, of course, are the scammers’ preferred method. Many also begin on social media platforms.
Nearly 40% of people victimized by romance scams last year were approached on social media. The cyberfootsies then quickly shifted to WhatsApp, Google Chat or Telegram.
SEE: Romance scammers’ favorite lies exposed
Some scammers go for the jugular. They convince you to share nude pics of yourself, then threaten to “sextort” you by sharing them with all your social media contacts if you don't pony up.
In those cases, nearly 60% of those scammers reeled in their victims via Instagram and Snapchat.
They collect your money in the most unprotected ways possible. That's why gift cards are the payment method used most often.Think about it: Someone you’ve met online but not in person isn’t someone you truly know, no matter how long the particular “friendship” has lasted, said Ackermann, the Glen Rock police chief.
Some victims are “groomed over months and even years” before the scammer springs the trap, he noted.
“NEVER send funds, wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or any other type of monetary device to anyone that you do not personally know,” the chief emphasized.
Remember: Police would rather prevent someone from being scammed than end up taking a report from a victim whose money is already long gone.
Anyone who thinks they may be a victim – or simply has questions about an online transaction – should call their local police department or detective bureau immediately, Ackermann said.
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