Love (and fraud) are everywhere

As the Beatles would say, "all you need is love". And, today, love is everywhere. We can find it in a bar, at the workplace, waiting for the bus or, also, why not, on a dating app.

Years ago, it was unthinkable, but today there are many people who turn to dating apps or dating websites to meet people and try to find love. We are not only talking about young people, this type of application is breaking down generational gaps. In fact, there are many platforms that have been created exclusively for seniors who want to take the step of meeting someone.

 

But not everything in love is rosy, and this practice does not go unnoticed by criminals, who take advantage of this type of platform and the overconfidence that predominates among its users to look for potential victims to scam.

How do they act? The cybercriminal creates fake profiles on dating apps or social networks with photographs and descriptions to attract the attention of other users. Through manipulated messages and photos, the cybercriminal manages to gain the trust and affection of the person over the course of days, weeks, and even months. Then, a long-distance relationship begins, with the promise of meeting soon. Once the relationship is "established", the cybercriminal requests money from the victim under false pretexts such as being able to travel to meet each other, a medical emergency or a financial problem. The victim, being totally deceived, proceeds to send the requested money, sometimes even going into debt with their financial institution. When the cybercriminal receives the money or sees that they cannot continue with the deception, they proceed to cut off all communication with the victim.

 

This type of fraud not only causes financial loss, but also serious emotional damage. As technology advances, this phenomenon has become increasingly sophisticated, making it more difficult for victims to identify red flags.

What to do if you are a victim of fraud?

If you are a victim of this type of fraud:

• Contact the bank of which you are a customer as quickly as possible and bring the fraud to their attention.
• File a police report.
• Collect all data and information regarding the profile and contacts established with the fraudster, as they may be required during the investigation.
• Report the profile on the application or website so that the user can be removed.

Recommendations to avoid love fraud

CaixaBank, in it’s website’s  security section, provides some recommendations to try to avoid being a victim of this type of fraud:

• Be wary of virtual relationships that go too fast. It is important to apply common sense and not be in a hurry.
• Review profiles on dating apps or contact pages. Pay attention and be wary of profiles that have been created recently or photographs that look like advertisements.
• Do not provide personal information. It's important not to reveal personal details, such as address or phone number, as well as travel plans or financial information.
• Do not send money or gifts, even if the story sounds convincing.