Last Updated on April 18, 2023
How To Spot And Avoid Romanian Romance Scams
It’s common for Romanian cybercriminals to execute their nefarious criminal schemes over the internet, as are cybercriminals in countless other countries. Romanian romance scams have become a successful way for criminals to deplete victims’ bank accounts without obvious suspicions or concerns. If you want to learn more about how these scams work and what to do once you’ve been victimized, keep reading for tips.
How Romanian Romance Scams Work in 2023?
Romanian romance scams in 2023 consist of cyber criminals disguising their identities behind stolen photos from the internet. They then use those photos to create fake dating and social media profiles that are enticing enough that unsuspecting victims will interact with them.
Once a scammer has caught someone’s eye, their goal is to pretend to be romantically interested in them and push for a relationship. This is easy for most scammers because their target victims are vulnerable and looking for something serious. Once the victim has caught the bait, the scammer will confidently and consistently ask their partner for money. The excuses typically consist of needing money for necessities, a plane ticket to visit (however, those plans always fall through), or they will even create sob stories such as their relative is sick and needs help paying medical bills.
You might be thinking, “Why would someone consistently send money?” When it comes to the victims, they genuinely believe they are in a committed relationship and want to ensure their partner is cared for, so they see no issue with helping out when they can. Romance scammers also do their best not to be too pushy for money; if their victim can’t send any, they will say it’s okay, but they will make sure to ask again later on.
So how do these scams end? Romance scams can end in two ways. The romance scammer can disappear without a word once they feel they have received enough money from their victim and move on to the next victim. There are times when a victim can no longer send money or try to end the relationship before the romance scammer wants and that can lead things down a more dangerous and aggressive path to blackmail and sextortion. In this case, the romance scammer will use any sensitive and private information or content the victim has shared within the relationship and threaten to expose it online if the victim stops sending funds.
How to Spot and Avoid Romanian Romance Scams?
Romance scammers do their best to stay discreet, but fortunately, their tactics are usually always the same and able to spot. Here are some tips to spot a Romanian romance scam to avoid becoming a victim.
One of the most common signs of a Romanian romance scam is when the person you are talking to starts to ask for money. This is a huge red flag that this person is in the relationship for the wrong reasons. Scammers often use sad stories to try and get money out of you, such as claiming medical bills or needing to pay rent. Understandably, you want to help out, but when the requests for money are frequent, you should be alarmed.
Another sign to watch out for is if the person is unwilling to meet in person. If the individual is eager to start a relationship online but never suggests meeting up, this strongly indicates that the person is not who they say they are.
It would be best to be wary of someone constantly asking for personal information. Never share any sensitive details with someone you’ve just met, as this could put you at risk of identity theft. If someone asks for too much information, it’s best to end the conversation.
Finally, be sure to do your research. Look up the person you are talking to online and try to verify if they are whom they say they are. You can also check out the website they are using to see if it is reputable or if it is a scam.
Reporting The Scam To Authorities
Romance scams leave victims brokenhearted and broke. Unfortunately, the authorities can’t do much about a broken heart. However, they can investigate and charge criminals for fraud, scams, blackmail, and other crimes your romance scammer could’ve acted on. So, be sure to take action and report the scam as soon as it happens.
Summary
Spotting and avoiding Romanian romance scams is possible if you know the signs and take steps to protect yourself. Keep an eye out for warning signs suggesting the person you are talking to is not who they say they are. Additionally, do your research and never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If you remember these tips, you can stay safe and find true love. We provide cyber investigations. If you faced with romance scams – contact our helpline
