Gardai have issued a stark warning over romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day.
Devious scammers will be looking to take advantage of singletons online and swindle them out of their money.
Officers have urged people to stay alert and never divulge personal or banking details online.
These are some warning signs to look out for:
• The fraudster asking the victim to communicate by instant messaging, text or phone calls rather than messaging through the dating website.
• The fraudster will start asking for money for various reasons, starting with low amounts. Examples being:
- To pay for travel to meet the victim.
- To pay moving expenses (ship furniture and pay customs).
- To pay medical expenses for a sick child or relative.
- To invest in a guaranteed business opportunity.
- To pay a tax bill or other spurious reason.
• No meetings in person take place. The fraudster will present reasons for not meeting or may arrange to meet and then cancel.
• The fraudster will avoid personal questions but will ask plenty.
• They will ask for money to be transferred to bank accounts abroad or via money transfer agencies to locations outside of Ireland.
• Phone calls from Irish numbers or lodgements to Irish bank accounts should not be considered as evidence that the person is genuine.
Here is what you can do to protect yourself from these types of scams:
• STOP AND THINK! If you are asked for money by a person with whom you are in an on-line relationship - ASK YOURSELF, IS THIS PERSON REAL?
• NEVER share personal or banking details with unknown persons online.
• NEVER receive money from, or send money to persons unknown.
• THINK twice before using a webcam (intimate images can be used for blackmail).
• TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS – if it sounds like it is too good to be true, it probably is.
• IF IN DOUBT, talk to a family member or a friend.
• If you have been the victim of this type of crime, please report it in confidence to your local Garda station.
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