12 hours ago
Romantic scams are on the rise, with fraudsters exploiting emotions to deceive unsuspecting victims. These scammers often create fake profiles on dating sites and social media to establish trust and emotional connections. Once trust is gained, they fabricate stories to extract money, often claiming urgent needs or personal crises. Victims are manipulated into sending funds, believing they are helping someone they care about.
The psychological manipulation involved in these scams can be sophisticated, making it difficult for victims to recognize the deceit. Scammers might profess love quickly, share fabricated stories about their lives, and create a sense of urgency to prompt financial aid. The emotional investment victims make in these pseudo-relationships often blinds them to the red flags.
To protect yourself, be wary of requests for money, especially if they come early in the relationship or are accompanied by stories that seem too good to be true. Avoid sharing personal information that could be used against you, and conduct thorough background checks on people you meet online. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. Additionally, report any suspicious behavior to the platform or authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.
(Forsal)
