Showing posts with label military scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military scams. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Military Romance Scams Impacting More Victims, Say Investigators




Looking for love has become more complicated than ever, and scams on the internet continue to be a major risk for anyone involved in online dating or social networking.  These days, it can be nearly impossible to tell who you’re dealing with online.  Even as media and law enforcement work to inform internet users, internet criminals continue to develop new and hard to detect methods of stealing your money and your identity.  Experts say military scams are among the highest growing scam type targeting victims on online dating and social networking sites.

Recent research on romance scams revealed that one out of ten profiles on social networks and dating sites is a fake.  Investigators fear that that figure is even higher.  Even individuals who are not criminals exaggerate their identity, or even create false data to protect their identity.  In other cases, victims simply don’t realize the risk of sharing everything online for the world to see.  Criminals are increasingly targeting victims online with scams and much more serious crime.  Police departments around the country say many burglary, assault, rape and even homicide cases start with online research or stalking.  Criminals can get your information from Facebook and then find your address and image of your home on the internet.  The risk is high, and the violation of privacy is a major concern to international investigators who investigate these cases.

Military scams are a growing problem and a booming business for scammers.  Victims around the world trust people in the military, so by using the alias of a soldier, victims are more likely to take the bait and trust the criminal behind the scam. This can result in a higher “success” rates for the scammer who can be located anywhere in the world, such as Romania, Russia, Ukraine, West Africa, Philippines or Malaysia.  Countries like Nigeria and Ghana now have criminal accomplices working in Europe and developed countries like Canada.  Law enforcement is struggling to keep up.  Making matters worse, romance scam victims often learn there is little that can be done, and even when reporting to the FBI, Interpol or local police, agencies rarely investigate.

Dating background checks by professional investigation firms offer trusted solutions for internet users around the world, and more people are turning to reputable private investigators to verify their online contacts.  It is a form of insurance that can keep you safe, say investigators and fraud experts.  By having your online contact verified, you reduce your risk for romance scams, identity theft and more serious crime.  It can give you peace of mind and keep you safe.

Try to keep conversation through messages and emails on the social media sites and online dating sites, rather than using your own email.  Take your time and watch out for red flags.    If you meet Mr. or Ms. Perfect online, and he’s currently overseas in the military, be skeptical. 

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway 


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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Private Investigators Voice Concern on Military Scams














Ever been approached by a military man or woman over an internet dating site or social network?  In the U.S., citizens are proud of their brave men and women who fight for freedom around the world, and who risk their lives for the country.  Military personnel are respected and thought of as honest, loyal servants to our country.  They are in a sense more trusted than the average citizen, many believe, because of their dedication to the country and service.  Criminals know this, and that there has been an alarming growth in military and dating scams involving soldiers.

In some cases, the brave and handsome solider wanting to get to know you online, may not be a solider at all.  Internet criminals can assume the identity of a real military person to be used to conduct fraud online.  Victims trust these scammers because of the belief that they are communicating with a soldier in Afghanistan or elsewhere, and the victim wants to help.

Scammers use all kinds of strategies to convince their victims they are real and interested in a friendship or romantic relationship.  Criminals can be convincing and their tactics are rapidly evolving.  Fraud experts and law enforcement say that anyone can be a victim.  As with any relationship on the internet, it pays to be skeptical and always protect your private information.  Never send money to anyone you’ve never met.  If you think you may have gotten lucky and have started a new and meaningful relationship, dating background checks are advised.

International investigators warn that the red flags and warning signs of scam are not always present, and in some cases it takes the skills and resources and training of a professional private investigator to verify the facts and identity of the person you’re communicating with.

No dating website or social network site is immune from fraud, no matter how big or popular.  Facebook and Match.com, although widely popular with millions of users, have no effective way to verify all their members and subscribers.  The risk falls on the users, and so it is up to you to know the risk and investigate when necessary.  Military scams and growing at an alarming rate, and anyone can be a victim.  Females are the primary target, and victims are spread across the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K. and many more countries.  Be skeptical of anyone asking too many questions and very skeptical of anyone asking for money, for any reason.

The problem has gotten so out of control that even the U.S. Army has delivered a bulletin regarding online romance scams related to soldiers in order to educate the public on the risk.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2012 Author

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