Online Dating Extortion Scam: How It Works
Finding love in the internet age usually requires at least a toe-dip into the pool of online dating. There are new and legitimate platforms you that could join like Ashley Madison but the FBI is warning internet daters about an extortion scam making the rounds of dating site chat rooms. How does the scam work?
Watch the video below to see the Extortion Scam exposed:
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In these romance scams, unsuspecting victims begin a chat conversation with a potential match. After establishing trust on platforms like Google Hangouts, Tinder or Instagram, the scammer will start to initiate more sexual conversation.
Once many messages have been swapped, the scammer will then post the intimate conversations, along with your name and a picture, on a website saying that you are a cheater — or simply they just post a picture of you showing a little bit too much skin.
They offer to take down the incriminating information – after you have paid them hundreds of dollars. Once the money exchanges hands, the information remains on the site. The FBI warns that the victims so far seem to be comprised of divorced women over the age of 40.
Other online dating schemes include the Real Love Scam, Background Check, Free Meal Approach, Sex Extortion, and the Secret Admirer Card Scam.
How To Avoid The Online Dating Extortion Scam:
It may seem obvious but has to be said: never, ever engage in sexual conversation online. You really don't know to whom you are speaking and the possibility of extortion is very real, as is the chance of your reputation being ruined.
Many potential employers nowadays do online searches of promising candidates. Needless to say, this type of irresponsible behavior will absolutely lead to your resume finding its way to the shredder.
There is a good rule of thumb for online conversation; if you wouldn't be embarrassed to show it to your parents (or your pastor) then it's appropriate.
If you are still looking for a soulmate, join legitimate services where you could chat with real people. There are tons out there – this is our recommendation.
How To Report The Online Dating Extortion Scam:
Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
How To Protect Yourself More:
If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.
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I’m in touch with a man who called himself Mike Julius. He found me on FB. He has told me his FB account was hacked and they are using his photos to scam women. However, he is very likely the scammer because I found several different FB accounts in his name, except his first name was listed as Mike’s Julius. He says he lives in Glendale, Ca and is currently working in Turkey as a contract oil drilling engineer. How says he is widowed and has a son. He has sent pics that were listed in the FB accounts, but then sent me three that are new. He is asking for money to return to the states and says his bank account has been locked due to hacking of his email. How do you know if he’s the victim or the scammer?? How and who do I report him to?? I look forward to hearing from you.
Beware of a man calling himself Marvel Derrick Melody, claims to be an engineer and needed money for customs equipment! He messaged me regularly, and he always wanted a loan for customs which I refused.
He used a numbers on WhatsApp you might recognize 901-401-6455.
He goes by either Marvel or Derrick
beware of a girl calling herself Pamella Taylor, claiming to be from Ontario, Canada. She will add you on social media and then ask you to do video chat.
"Needless to say, this type of irresponsible behavior will absolutely lead to your resume finding its way to the shredder."
That may or may not be true even today, but in the future it will become less and less so because the current generation has posted their lives, and EVERYONE makes mistakes!
One failure in judgement should not destroy a life–that is basic to society, and vitally necessary in a world where everything is recorded and people live 3-4 or more times the typical lifespan of a century ago.
Thanks, I have had more than one of these types of scams tried to be pulled on me.
I am in contact with a Facebook member, James Edward Querteous, at least he goes with name. We have text back and forth for several weeks now.
He claims to live in Cleveland Ohio USA. He recently claims he is in South Africa for a job, (engineering).
Two days ago he informed that the equipment that was bought and brought with him would not being released at customs and they wanted a payment of $$20,000.
He asked me two days ago and asked if I could help with payment and would need it today. I called him on it and told him that I would never send any amount of money to him.