Criminals are constantly devising newer versions of scams to extort as much as possible from their victims. In romance scams, criminals most often target women. Perpetrators exploit their loneliness, difficult life circumstances or simply their gullibility. They very often pose, among other things, as American soldiers, commandos, oil-rig workers, doctors on missions and so on, playing on human emotions. The stories they tell are carefully thought out in every detail and are primarily intended to arouse emotions. Scammers gradually become friends with their victims, gaining their trust, and when the right moment comes… they ask for money. Unaware of the deception, victims transfer cash to the criminals’ bank accounts, losing their savings. Let us remain vigilant and not be deceived by appearances! Let us verify all acquaintances made online.
On 19 December, a resident of Legnica County reported to the Municipal Police Headquarters in Legnica that she had been scammed by an online acquaintance and, as a result, had lost more than PLN 16,000.
It all began when, several weeks earlier, a man contacted the 57-year-old through one of the popular social media platforms. He claimed to be an oil-rig worker in the Faroe Islands. While corresponding with the woman, he told her a great deal about himself, thereby gaining her trust. During their conversations, he showed increasing interest in the woman he had recently met.
After they had known each other for some time, the man told the woman that Somali pirates had attacked the oil rig where he worked, as a result of which several people had suffered bodily injuries. For this reason, he wanted to quit his job and asked the 57-year-old to write a termination notice for him. Then, for about two months, the man “borrowed” money from the victim, which she transferred to him using so-called STEAM cards. Most probably, after entering the relevant code, the recipient collected the funds in his virtual wallet, which he could then use to make purchases online or pay for certain services. There were a dozen or so reasons why the perpetrator needed money, including topping up his phone, contributing to a collection for a doctor, redeeming prescriptions, a helicopter flight and airline tickets.
When the woman asked for her money back, the man told her that the computers on the rig had been damaged and that he had no access to his bank account. The man repeatedly assured her that he would return all the money he had borrowed, also promising to meet her soon and professing his love to her throughout.
Only when the woman, unaware of the scam, spoke to her daughter about her online relationship did she realize that, unfortunately, she had fallen victim to a fraudster.
As a result of this online relationship, the 57-year-old lost more than PLN 16,000. This is a true cautionary tale. Police officers warn people not to trust new acquaintances made online and, above all, not to transfer any money to someone they do not know at all—even if it seems that there is a trustworthy person on the other side of the screen. Unfortunately, criminals prey on our naivety and gullibility, exploiting our difficult circumstances or, sadly, our loneliness.