Online dating
The scam
You sign up to an online dating agency and meet someone who is also looking for love. You write to each other for a few months until the person, who happens to live overseas, decides that they want to come to the UK. But they need help with money for the flight. You pay up to help your new friend - but he or she disappears, along with your cash.
Other things the scammer might say before pleading for your money include:
- 'I have been robbed'
- 'I need urgent medical treatment'
- 'I am stranded abroad'.
Protect yourself
- Never send money to someone you don't know, however plausible they sound.
- Only use a reputable online dating or chat service and follow their basic safety tips.
- Test your date by trying to phone or post them something, or offering to meet. If your new date only gives you a post office address, or a phone number they never answer and that doesn't have voicemail, be careful.
- Ask your date lots of questions. If you get no proper answers, this may be because they are sending standard emails to hundreds of people.
- Report any suspicions to the dating site.
If you think you've been a victim of this scam, call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06.
