Those looking for love are scams for millions of dollars.
Florida, behind California, ranks second in romance fraud losses that cost more than $116 million.
New data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and Florida Attorney General (AG) office Florida Romance Scams Scams that create fake identities online to gain victim trust and steal money and personal information They say that. These scams can have devastating economic and emotional consequences.
Examples of romance scams include stolen photos and fake personal information about dating sites and social media. Scammers are raised as various people to gain the trust of the victim, propose marriage, and “plan” to meet in person.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office says there are several ways to avoid being a victim of fraud.
• Beware of people who appear too perfect, or ask them to communicate immediately offline.
•Do not send money directly to people you don’t know.
• Don’t help people move money through your account.
• Investigate the person’s profile and photos to see if they appear elsewhere.
• Beware of those who try to isolate you from friends and family and keep an eye on people who request inappropriate photos and financial information.
“Romance fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, preying on individual emotional vulnerabilities and exploiting trust built through online interactions,” says investment fraud lawyer Robert Ricardo. This is Robert Ricardo from the Loss Center. “It’s important for people to verify their identity and recognize financial demands or inconsistent stories as fraudsters adapt to new technologies and platforms. Education and awareness are the harmful schemes. It is our first line of defense against, not only causing economic losses, but also emotional harm.”
Florida AG file a complaint with myfloridalegal.com with the Florida State Attorney General’s office, if they believe they are victims or potential victims of romance fraud, or the case is FBI’s Internet Report to the Crime Complaint Center.
