Romance Scammers: Nine police tips to protect yourself
Desperate for love? Police call on people to be wary of potential online love interests. Here are some red flags that might help you spot them.
The South African Police Service(SAPS) warns of romance scammers after a victim was swindled of an estimated R24 million.
According to a police report, the victim- a Canadian citizen- claims she met the suspect who went under the alias Raymond Butler on social media. However as their relationship progressed, they began talking privately. After some time, Butler managed to convince the victim to invest R24 million in a project abroad.
“Women, in particular, are advised to remain vigilant not to fall prey to scammers who want to enter their lives with the promise of love, to defraud them out of their money”, says police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi.
Don’t Fall for Swindlers
The police have provided nine tips for all individuals seeking love on online platforms, to not fall prey to swindlers.
1. They look and sound very caring and responsible
2. They always come up with business proposals
3. They do not want their pictures to be taken
4. They do not want to meet with you in a public place
5. They always hide their identification documents
6. They do not introduce you to their families
7. They want to own everything in a relationship
8. They do not take you to their real house
9. They always come up with contradictory stories
Butler will appear before the Cape Town Magistrates on a fraud charge.
The 42-year-old Nigerian citizen was apprehended in Table View in Cape Town on Tuesday.