Romance scam exacts devastating personal and financial tolls

March is Fraud Prevention Month #dontbeavictim
 

(ORILLIA, ON) – Romance scams cause victims severe financial hardship and personal embarrassment, which despite massive losses, inhibits their decision to report the crime.
 

Members of the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch say criminals use the Romance Scam to seek potential victims on-line, generally single or recently-unattached people.

Usually this form of mass-marketing fraud occurs through singles and dating-related ‘meet’ websites, social media platforms, or E-mail blasts. In some cases, prolonged interaction with individuals has cost some victims tens of thousands of dollars before the ‘relationship’ ends, usually without ever meeting in person. Among the most vulnerable are seniors.
 

In 2015, the Romance Scam generated 298 complaints and claimed 216 victims, in Ontario, who lost $7.9-million. Police admit 95 per cent of the crimes go unreported.
 

“One of the most devastating fraud schemes in Canada is perpetrated through the romance scam," says assistant deputy commissioner F. (Fred) Bertucca, OPP Investigations and Organized Crime Command. "It is an emotional roller coaster for victims who deal with emotional and financial losses associated with this deception.”

 

“Despite the cruelties involved and the emotional trauma sustained, it’s still important for victims of the romance scam to report the crime," says detective inspector Mike Bickerton, director, OPP Anti-Rackets Branch. "All users of computers and the on-line world should educate themselves and use best practices to ensure their personal and financial security.”

 

As part of the annual Fraud Prevention Month awareness campaign, the OPP and its partners at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre have some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of the Romance Scam:
 

• Don’t give out any personal information in an E-mail or when you are chatting on-line. Educate yourself. Check the person’s name, the company name, and the addresses used.

• Ask yourself – ‘Would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or E-mails?’ If the answer is no, report it to police.

• Never send money, or give personal credit card or on-line account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country to someone you have never personally met should be a red flag.

• Check website addresses carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with addresses that are very similar to legitimate dating websites.

If you suspect you've been a victim of the Romance Scam, or you suspect that someone you know has been, contact your local police service. You can also file a complaint through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or on-line at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
 

“Recognize, Reject and Report Fraud”
 

During the month of March, the OPP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre partners - the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Competition Bureau of Canada – are joining police services across the country to help prevent all Canadians from becoming victims of fraud. The OPP is posting tips and links to various resources on-line to help the public recognize, reject and report fraud on social media by using the hashtags #FPM2016 #DontBeAVictim and #OPPtips.

LEARN MORE:

OPP Official YouTube Community Safety Video – Romance Fraud

Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services (video link) - Romance Fraud

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Competition Bureau of Canada

The Little Black Book of Scams