Women looking for love online find con men instead

Latest News In Singapore:

THE search for love has cost at least three women in Singapore more than $8,000.

The women were conned in a scam involving Internet dating websites.

A police advisory issued yesterday stated that after befriending the victims, the foreign men arranged to visit them or ask for their hand in marriage.

According to the police advisory, the culprit, claiming to be British, Nigerian or some other nationality, would befriend the victim through the internet via online dating websites.

After some correspondence, the culprit would inform the victim that he was coming to Singapore to visit or ask for her hand in marriage.

On the supposed day of the culprit's arrival in Singapore, the culprit would call and inform the victim who was awaiting his arrival that he had been detained for carrying excessive cash.

The culprit would then ask the victim to transfer a sum of money to a foreign bank account in order to secure his release.

After transferring the money, the culprit would cease contact. Investigations would subsequently reveal that there never was any such person on any flight, vessel or bus coming into Singapore that day.

The culprits may have used different names, stories and excuses, but they are scheming for the same thing: money from unsuspecting, innocent people who are in search of love and friendship on dating websites.

Police advise members of public to be aware of such scams and to adopt the following measures:

i. Take extra caution in befriending strangers on the internet.

ii. Do not make any bank transfer payment for bail or fine. The authorities do not require any such transfer of money.

iii. Do not entertain emails or any online messages that are unfamiliar to you.

iv. A culprit might spend months building rapport online before asking for money. Even if you think you know this person well, consider that you really do not know anyone from your communications over the Internet - you just know the way he/she chooses to present himself online.

Anyone who has more information relating to these scams or encounter similar incidents may call the Police hotline at 1800 - 255 0000 or 999 if urgent Police assistance is required.


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