Online dating sites and apps have become the norm. More and more users are now well aware of the prevalence of catphishing – crooks posing as suitors to groom targets through romantic online relationships with the intention of getting the target to turn over their money, and their financial and personal identifying info. Now, crooks have taken to dating sites to recruit users to launder money and transport drugs and contraband with unfortunate success. The escalation is that now targets become accomplices and can face brutal legal consequences.
In 2018, over 18,000 people filed complaints with the FBI’s cybercrime division the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Over $362 million was lost to these crooks who lure their targets into forking over their money and breaking their hearts. Widows and widowers, women, and elderly people are the biggest targets.
In the new evolution of the con, the perp will target an American, claiming to be a European, or an American living overseas. The perp has a plan to launch a business but needs a US bank account, or registered LLC to send and receive funds. Wanting to help their beloved, the target is persuaded to open a bank account or register an LLC in their name. The perp can then transfer illegal funds into that account to launder money, shielded by the identity of their target. Money from stolen credit cards, drug money, and other criminal activity becomes the liability of the target, who is unaware that anything illegal is going on until they are hit with the consequences.
Some targets have even been lured into transporting drugs. One woman in particular flew to South America to pick up what she was told was a contract to bring to her online lover in England. When she got to South America, she was given a suitcase with cocaine sewn into its liner. Of course, she didn’t know this until it was discovered by Customs agents. Like the money laundering scam, the target is unaware they are committing a crime until they are hit with the consequences. This kind of situation has grown in prevalence in the world of online dating scams.
How can you protect yourself, and educate others about how to protect themselves from getting suckered into criminal activity for false love? First, know that these predators are lurking on common dating sites and apps with the intention of grooming their victims. Second, when contacted by someone, run a reverse image search of their profile picture. The majority of crooks won’t use their own photo. Right-click on the picture and choose search for image. This will show you where else the picture appears on the internet so you can see if it was snatched from someone. Beware of traditional online dating red flags. If they won’t meet in person, video chat, or talk on the phone, there’s a problem. If they make plans to visit and plans keep falling through, there’s a problem. If they profess strong feelings early on in the courtship and escalate the relationship prematurely, there’s a problem. If they are in constant financial stress and ask you to wire them money, be wary.
Con artists lure in victims by understanding what the victim wants and appearing to be able to give it to them. If it all seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you suspect fraud, or if you or a loved one have fallen victim already, contact your local FBI field office or report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at
www.ic3.gov. Catphishers continue to get better at camouflaging themselves and running your own investigation of someone may only get you so far. If you suspect an online suitor may not be who they say they are, contact me at
Mignolet@Bellsouth.net to find out the truth before it’s too late.
