Blog

Online Frauds

Par l'équipe du blog Soudfa

You can meet lots of interesting people through the internet. Of course, there are risks connected with being social on the internet. Millions of honest and sincere people join marriage websites, but also a number of imposters and frauds. These people use the internet to manipulate innocent people and unfortunately, this last category is the one that gets all the attention and gives the online scene a bad reputation. However, with a little common sense and the following information, you will not have to worry. Awareness is the best tool to avoid dishonest characters and the following guide will give a clear idea about the schemes used by frauds and scammers.

Important tips to a safe online journey

All fraud situations can be avoided by following two simple but important rules.

Rule No. 1

Never send money to anybody you met online, no matter the reason she or he has, and no matter the time you have spent talking with each other. They may be extremely persuasive, but you have to stand fast.

Rule No. 2

Do under no circumstances provide any information concerning your identity (family name or home address…) or sensitive details such your passwords, account number or credit card number. You have to remember, that you can never be absolutely sure who's on the other end.

By following these two rules and never deviate from them, you have every possibility for a very safe and pleasant online relationship. Getting to know each other does not mean, giving away every detail about yourself or sending money to prove your good and sincere intentions. No matter how close you feel to that person always keep the safety measures in mind and wait with the other steps, till you actually meet in person.

Top scams for online relations

1. Some of the internet frauds use a method where they instead of asking for a large sum of money from one person, ask for very small sums, but of several people. They form a bond with a member and then they ask for a small amount. For example, a phone prepaid card, the fee for transportation or the expenses for an internet café… Any excuse big or small to get the member to help them with money in order to continue talking or to meet. What is in fact going on is that the imposter is asking money from several members in the same way at the same time and with the same goal. They have no real interest in talking or meeting and as soon as they get the money, they disappear or ask for more on the first occasion they get.

2. The second type of scammers are those who build a strong connection with a member. A connection that can go for months before they slowly begin to talk about money. They ask for a large amount of money often claiming different serious problems or situations. Problems such as health issues, unpaid rent, loans or family issues. Situations based on very well staged scenarios that can be divided into two categories:

   • First, usually a very pretty sweet girl, will fall in love with you rather quickly and then after sometime she asks to meet but of course she cannot afford it and asks you for the plane and travel expenses to come and see you. If you send the money, you will most likely never hear from her again!

   • The second category, the more dangerous and professional ones, are those with such unexpected and unlikely scenarios, scenarios that are too good to be true. They do not ask for any money at first, in fact they offer you money. Some treasure found in their country that they need to get out, or some inheritance plan and they just need your cooperation in the form of small fee and an account number. It is all a lie to lead you on and cheat you out of your money or even worse kidnap you.

3. A third type of scammers do not ask for money, but blackmail the you for it. They get very close to their target and gather a lot of information about them, everything that could be used to threaten them, for example, they keep video or audio recordings. Their style is usually as the following: They enter the website and share their contact info with as many members as they can (Skype, Facebook). Then they talk to the member outside the website and gather blackmail material. Then they start the process of asking for money to prevent them from publishing the information they have or sending it to your family members. Therefor it’s very important to be careful when having contact with members outside of the website.