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Valentine's warning on internet dating scams
Archived news: published on Monday 08 Feb 2010 by Fife Council
Valentine
With Valentine's Day approaching, Trading Standards professionals are warning of common internet dating scams that can leave you heart-broken and out-of-pocket.
As part of its Scams Awareness month, the Office of Fair Trading is warning people that the increased potential to meet new people online is being used by scammers to gain trust and con people out of their money. Scammers target singles columns and dating websites to search for potential victims. They create fictitious online profiles or send out unsolicited emails or letters, often with fake photographs. Scammers use the trust gained to persuade victims to part with large sums, with some frauds going on for years. This typically involves saying they would like to meet you but are stranded and don't have money to travel or cover visa costs. They may also say that they or a family member require urgent treatment for an illness.
Geoff Bates Environmental Services Consumer Education Team Leader says: “This is yet another scam that preys on people’s emotions and takes their money. Scamsters are experts at taking your money and many schemes are now being investigated as serious criminal activity. We urge Fifers to follow advice to make using internet dating websites safer:
- Know what you are paying for and what the agency promises to provide in return.
- If you receive any requests for money, be suspicious, even if you have known the person for a number of weeks.
- Be sceptical and ask yourself simple questions, for example, 'why am I the only person who can help them, when I have just met them?'
- If you meet somebody unknown to you, always meet in a public place and take a friend with you for support if you are unsure".
Heather Clayton, Senior Director of the Office of Fair Trading's Consumer group, said: 'The internet is now an established way to meet and connect with new people, but those meeting on dating and other sites need to be on their guard against potential dating scams. All fraud is destructive but dating scammers are particularly ruthless as they abuse the emotional trust and attachments that people invest when looking to meet someone.'
The Serious Organised Crime Agency is working globally to target criminal groups responsible for some of these scams. In one recent case a British national was kidnapped after travelling to West Africa believing they would be met by someone with whom they had established an online friendship.
SOCA Deputy Director Sharon Lemon said: 'No-one should fear using the internet to meet people, but criminals will look for opportunities everywhere and the internet is no exception. You wouldn't hand your bank account details or your house keys to someone you met on the street, and using the internet safely just needs the same kind of care. There is plenty of good straightforward advice out there from sites like www.getsafeonline.org. You don't have to become a victim.'
For more information about Scamnesty go to the Consumer Direct website where you can send any suspect email or online scams to the online Scamnesty bin. Fife’s main libraries have Scamnesty bins for your scam letters. You can search on line find your nearest bin.
For more information contact
Janice Russell, Fair Trading OfficerTel: 08451 55 55 55 + Ext 44 03 63 Contact Janice Russell online
By Post: Fife Council, Kingdom House, Kingdom Avenue, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT
