Romance Scams: A Growing Threat in Chesterfield

The Chesterfield Police Department investigated 45 reports of scams and frauds in 2020, resulting in over $1.5 million in losses. One prevalent scam discussed in the slides is Romance Scams, where suspects build fraudulent online relationships to exploit victims emotionally and financially. The suspects often request money under false pretenses, such as medical expenses or business investments, leading to significant financial losses for victims. The scams may involve manipulating victims into sending compromising photos, followed by extortion threats. It is crucial for individuals to remain cautious, research dating platforms for security measures, and be wary of suspicious online relationships to avoid falling victim to such scams.

• Romance Scams
• Online Fraud
• Financial Losses
• Scam Awareness
• Cybersecurity

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2. In 2020 the Chesterfield Police Department investigated 45 reports concerning scams and frauds totaling over $1.5 MILLION in losses

3. The following slides discuss one of the many scams Chesterfield residents have fallen victim to This episode: Romance Scams

4. ROMANCE SCAMS IN THIS SCAM, A SUSPECT BUILDS AN ONLINE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE VICTIM THIS FRAUDULENT ONLINE RELATIONSHIP CAN BE THROUGH ANY DATING WEBSITE OR APP THE SUSPECT CAN BE VERY CONVINCING TO THE VICTIM. THE VICTIM WILL BELIEVE THEY ARE TALKING TO A REAL PERSON WHO HAS REAL FEELINGS FOR THEM.

5. ROMANCE SCAMS AFTER INITIAL CONTACT, THE SUSPECT AND VICTIM MAY BEGIN COMMUNICATING VIA PHONE AND TEXT MESSAGE INSTEAD OF THE DATING SITE AT THE SUSPECTS REQUEST ONCE THE VICTIM IS MADE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE RELATIONSHIP, THE SUSPECT WILL BEGIN ASKING FOR MONEY FROM THE VICTIM EXAMPLES OF HOW THE SUSPECT MAY ASK FOR MONEY: A) PAY FOR SURGERY OR OTHER MEDICAL EXPENSES B) THEIR BUSINESS IS FAILING AND THEY NEED A LOAN TO STAY AFLOAT C) THEY WANT TO START A BUSINESS AND WANT THE VICTIM TO BE PART OF IT D) PAY FOR PLANE TICKET TO COME VISIT E) PAY FOR VISA OR OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

6. ROMANCE SCAMS A VARIATION OF THIS SCAM IS THE FOLLOWING: DURING THE COURSE OF THE ONLINE RELATIONSHIP, THE SUSPECT CONVINCES THE VICTIM TO SEND COMPROMISING PHOTOS. THE SUSPECT THEN THREATENS TO RELEASE THE COMPROMISING PHOTOS TO THE PUBLIC/FAMILY/ EMPLOYMENT, UNLESS THE VICTIM PAYS MONEY

7. ROMANCE SCAMS AS PER MOST OTHER SCAMS, THE SUSPECT WILL ASK/DEMAND THE MONEY BE PAID IN GIFT CARDS, BITCOIN, OR DIFFICULT TO TRACE TYPE OF PAYMENTS. THEY WILL TELL THE VICTIM NOT TO TELL ANYONE ELSE ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP THE SUSPECT WILL CONTINUE CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM UNTIL THE VICTIM REALIZES IT IS A SCAM OR THEY RUN OUT OF MONEY

8. ROMANCE SCAMS What can you do? RESEARCH THE DATING SITE/APP YOU ARE USING AND SEE WHAT THEIR SECURITY PROTOCOLS ARE FOR VERIFYING THEIR USERS, SEE IF THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF FRAUD IF HE/SHE SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE HE/SHE PROBABLY IS IF YOU ARE CHATTING WITH SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS THEY ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES, USE CAUTION IF THE SUSPECT SENDS YOU PHOTOS CLAIMING TO BE HIM/HER, CONDUCT A REVERSE IMAGE SEARCH TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE PHOTOS ORIGIN. (NOTE: THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO DO THIS. USE YOUR SEARCH ENGINE TO SEE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU)

9. ROMANCE SCAMS WHAT CAN YOU DO (CONTINUED) AS CONVINCING AS THE SUSPECT MAY BE, NEVER SEND COMPROMISING PHOTOS OR INFORMATION TO SOMEONE YOU HAVE NEVER MET- ESPECIALLY ONLINE IF YOUR ONLINE FRIEND BEGINS TO DISCUSS FINANCES OR LACK THERE OF, THIS SHOULD SET OFF ALARM BELLS NEVER PAY ANYTHING WITH GIFT CARDS OR ANY OTHER FORM OF E-MONEY THAT IS DIFFICULT TO TRACE IF IT DOESN T SEEM RIGHT, CUT OFF COMMUNICATION. REPORT ONLINE TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION : FTC.GOV CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROMANCE SCAMS