(Online Dating Industry Journal) Canadian men are being bilked for thousands of dollars by overseas criminals posing as Russian women on Internet dating services.
The criminals foster relationships with men via Internet dating sites and after several months and declarations of love, the "woman" says she wants to meet the man, but needs $2,000+ for a plane ticket and "visa fees". The men pay then are given the day and time of arrival and there they stand at the airport, flowers in hand, waiting for someone they fell in love with who never existed.
According to a CBC news article last month:
"Russian authorities are aware of the problem, said Irinia Zubareva, a spokeswoman with the Russian Interior Ministry.
Scam artists - most often men - create sophisticated profiles of Russian women to lure North Americans into online courtships, she told Radio-Canada."
Scammers even go as far as to employ Russian women to help them with the scam by talking to men on the phone.
There are divisions in Canada set up to deal with crimes and as one authority told The London Free Press this week, scammers are willing to work a long time to get money from a victin:
"Const. Michael LeRoy, who is part of the commercial crimes unit of the RCMP's London detachment, said Internet dating sites have become another avenue for fraud. He said the scam artist may spend months cultivating a relationship before asking for money for a personal crisis or airline fare."
In Canada, March is "Fraud Awareness Month" with many businesses and authorities educating Canadians about fraud both online and offline. The Canadian Better Business Bureau even holds "ScamJam" sessions to release timely information about scams and how to avoid them.
Joe's Comments
Online dating scams are nothing new, but they are getting more sophisticated (i.e. voice chat with a "Russian woman") and people need to be aware of that. First, know that a woman in Russia can't just get a "travel visa" and go see someone in another country. You would have to actually go see her. Second, if anyone you've never met asks you for money, run.
Ultimately, the sad thing about this story is that men lose more than money - they lose pride and a love that was built on false pretenses. Some want so much to believe it's not true, that they've been scammed for more money by the same person (i.e. person makes up an excuse for not making the flight - mother was hospitalized - then asks for more money to make the flight -- again -- to see him). And no, I'm not talking from personal experience!!! :-)
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