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 The popularity of online dating has caused an increase in dating scams. Perhaps the most known is the Nigerian dating scam. Singles looking for love online should be on the look out for this scam. Nigerian scams are often not easy to detect. Indeed, the Nigerian scam artist is a whole different breed. For one, he (or she) is usually of a higher education level, often a college or university graduate or higher. Secondly, they do their homework. Thirdly, they can be exceptionally patient. Plus, some of them could rival an Oxford English professor in language prowess, especially written language.
The scammer posts a fake profile on a dating site, and often multiple dating sites. Chat rooms and social networking sites are also often targeted, as well as Christian and other religion-based dating sites.
Scammers seem to prefer using white people images, apparently cashing in on certain perceptions and stereotypes. The photograph is usually magazine cover quality, and of an exceedingly individual. The photographs are usually stolen from modeling agencies. They also use pictures of foreign models and celebrities not known in the target country. Photographs from other dating profiles have also been known to be used. In a way, the people whose images are used in these scams are victims as well.
Often, scammers prefer to use female photo profiles. Lots of men will respond to an attractive woman’s personal ad, based on a picture alone. This is not to say that women don’ get scammed. They do get scammed, by men or by other women depending on the person’s sexual orientation. In most cases, scammers target older (middle-aged) people seeking long term relationships. At this age the person is likely to be desperate therefore gullible and this age group is likely to be financially stable. Contact is initiated, often but not always, by the scammer.
The stage is set and now begins the grooming phase. The grooming phase is when the relationships and trust are built. The scammer claims to be a business executive or some type of expert from the US, Canada or the UK (or other country) temporarily working for his company in Nigeria or other African country. The fraudster knows all the right things to say and will put you on a pedestal. Before long, you are in the greatest romance journey of your life. Or so you think. Soon he/she declares love. He/she might even send you a few romantic gifts, bought with stolen credit cards. Once a trusting bond has been established, you are ripe for picking. This can take up to twelve months (talk of patience) and often there is promise of marriage. Then the scammer asks for a big favor. The scammer claims that his employer has been paying him in money orders or cashiers checks, which due to differences in banking systems he cannot cash in Nigeria (or other country). The victim is asked to cash the money orders or checks and then wire the money to the scammer via Western Union or Moneygram. He/she might be asked to keep a portion of the money for his/her troubles. This serves a dual purpose: it helps build trust and also turns the victim into a beneficiary and participant in the scam. The money orders or checks will turn out fraudulent. It usually takes most banks anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to clear a check or money order. The scammer is counting on this, and by the time the con is exposed he/she has disappeared, leaving you to pay the bank and/or even face prosecution for participating in the fraud.
Nigerian dating scam does not always involve money, however. Some scammers are out to use your name and address to ship goods bought with stolen credit cards. The goods are first shipped to you, and then you are asked to reship to the scammers chosen destination which is usually in Nigeria. Though most forms of communication are used, including email, Instant Messaging, and Chat, the scammer will shun live video chat. This is because the photographs used are not real.
The excuse often is lack of the technology in Nigeria. The scammer can usually hire a voice of the right gender, and even accent, for a phone conversation. As a final point, just because it’s called Nigerian romance scam does not necessarily mean it’s done in or out of Nigeria. Due to mistrust of anything involving Nigeria, con artists have started operating from other countries of West Africa such as Ghana and Benin. |
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Comments
2010-03-0118:10:14 A friend of mine signed up to match.com. A guy named John, a marine engineer from California started writing her and within days was calling her love and babe. Next he was going to Concontu, Africa on business and he sent her a lap top with web cam. Then he somehow convinced her to put $18,000 on her Discover card for computers and have them shipped to Ghana. The payment went through but the computers didn't. Discover canceled the card knowing it was fraud but I still don't think she believes it. The lap top is recording every key stroke and stealing all of her personal information off of her computer. What I don't understand is how he convinced her to stop using her desk top computer and use the lap top instead. Anyway, he now says he needs $9,000 because his Visa expired and he has to pay a yellow tag fee ?? to be able to leave the country. The saddest thing is she still thinks he is real.
2010-03-0117:45:04 I WAS SCAMMED BY A JOHN HASKIN THRU MATCH.COM, AFTER $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $ LATER, IT WAS TOO LATE. I FILED A POLICE REPORT BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING LEGALLY BECAUSE HE IS IN BENIN… ANONE FAMILIAR WITH THIS NAME?
2010-02-2814:14:33 Here's a really sick twist to the whole scam. I met one "George" who claimed he was a US Marine in Afghanistan. It was all very plausible. Very smooth operator. Wrote detailed letters, probably with an open tab on Reuters. Went by the email of georgepa01
2010-02-1501:24:44 This is for Phyllis comment #18, I met a guy on Black Planet from Houston, TX with ties to nigeria. Similar situation. I wonder is this the same person. His name is Peter. Not sure about him and now I read your statement. WOW! Not sure what to think.
2010-02-1307:27:33 I recently started talking to a guy that said in his profile he was from canada but it turns out he is in Nigeria on a job…I want to find out if he/she is a scammer, so I wont give too much info right now…but I'll let you know.I have pictures and e-mail that I will post later
2010-02-0914:35:38 has anyone come across her. States that she lives in Nigeria originally spent time in US and UK. States that her parents were killed in a plane crash.
2010-02-0302:24:55 I met a man whose profile said he lived in Houston, TX. on Mate1. In my profile I state I only want to date local men so that we can actually meet and date. I do not believe in long term on-line relationships. after a couple of emails I suggested we meet for coffee or lunch. We he answered he completely ignored my suggestion but sent be a very very long email about how he is looking for marraige and a serious relationship. He wrote he was a widower whose wife died in childbirth and he said his parents were killed in a fire. Next he sent me a huge email questionaire for me to answer about my attitudes on marraige, religion, children, work, etc. He next said he hoped I was patient because he was going to Africa on a business trip for 8 weeks but we could continue to email. A red flag went up for me. I wrote him to please be specific about where he lived in Houston.. and what church he attends, etc. but how convienient for him to not be able to be available to meet me
2010-01-2819:42:27 I want to tell every single women about Tomie Gold tomiegold[quote ][/quote]yahoo.com, he is so lovely, but after a month he asked me for money because his daughter was ill. He said he was from Australia.
Be careful
2010-01-1218:24:12 I started talking to a man i met through match.com about 6 months ago. He claimed he used to live by me but was in Nigeria on business and would be back home in a few weeks. Initially he had jewelry he wanted sent back that was worth a lot of money but he needed money to have it sent back here so i agreed like a idiot. He was emailing me telling me how beautiful i was(although hed never saw my picture) and how much in love with me he was. A month later he told me he was done working there and received his check but could not cash it until he got to the states, wed spoken on the phone many times, always on MY bill! So i helped him with a plane ticket that turned out to be fake! He claimed he has NO idea it was fake that someone had attacked him and made him give them the money and set up the scam, claimed hed been hurt bad and was in the hospital, he even had me speak to the so called DR Chikwem who was in on the whole scam! The other man went by simon bengurion. DO NOT GIVE them money
2010-01-0613:20:47 Hi, it just isn't only happening to guys it seems more and more of these "guys" are making moves on us white english, european, australian women. And I actually got into an argument with one of them and then he had the nerve to accuse me if being an african scammer…Idiot…Well I guess they think they can woo and charm us with their good command of the english language… Anyway I have voiced my opinion now and I feel good as well…Bring back the nice normal guys…See you from Downunder…