{"id":109611,"date":"2018-02-11T09:53:19","date_gmt":"2018-02-11T07:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/scammers-prey-on-the-vulnerable-during-the-month-of-love\/"},"modified":"2018-02-11T09:53:19","modified_gmt":"2018-02-11T07:53:19","slug":"scammers-prey-on-the-vulnerable-during-the-month-of-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/scammers-prey-on-the-vulnerable-during-the-month-of-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Scammers prey on the vulnerable during the month of love"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scammers prey on the vulnerable during the month of love<\/a>: <\/p>\n

February is traditionally the month of love but with those not under the spell of the legendary saint, Valentine\u2019s Day can be a lonely time, with some setting themselves up as possible targets quite unknowingly in their quest for romantic attention.<\/p>\n

While the Internet houses a large number of dating sites that may well serve their purpose there are many that abound with romance scams.<\/p>\n

In the United States this type of scamming has caught the attention of the FBI which has a dedicated unit to address what it estimates to have cost in losses to the victims, more than $ 230 million in 2016.<\/p>\n

In South Africa there has been a significant growth in this type of scam due to the proliferation of social media sites, not necessarily those set up for dating, says Manie Van Schalkwyk, head of the South African Fraud Prevention Service.<\/p>\n

\u201cScammers typically seek out individuals who are older than 50, either single or in difficult relationships, who are looking for romance,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\u2026.\u201cMost victims are tech-savvy and targeted by criminal syndicates from anywhere in the world. It\u2019s not hard for these people to target the emotionally vulnerable as people reveal much about themselves on social media sites,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The scammer entices a prospective date with endearing messages that make the victim feel loved. This is the technique that inspires trust and leads the perpetrator to ask for a gift or money, or a favour of some kind. In many situations the person will promise a meeting, but this never materialises.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe very careful about how much personal information you share on social network sites, particularly photographs and videos as you may be setting yourself up as a target for a fraudster\u201d \u201cRather be safe than sorry, he says.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not only the lonely who fall victim to scams; the vulnerable, the greedy and even the innocent are all victims of a range of online scams, he adds<\/p>\n

Financial journalist at www.mayaonmoney.co.za Maya Fisher-French, says she receives many complaints about Internet scams, usually around investments that offer a quick and high return on the money they ask for upfront. \u201cIf it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the most popular in the \u2018get rich\u2019 variety is forex trading promising instant wealth and fast tracking to new expertise.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to Google Trends, South Africa ranks as the number one nation in the world for user searches in forex trading \u201cfuelled by opportunistic scammers who expose ordinary citizens to both offline and online adverts filled with popular catchphrases like \u2018financial freedom\u2019 and \u2018passive income\u2019,\u201d says Fisher-French<\/p>\n

Fischer French says there are some alerts to look out for when exploring a forex trading training or account opening option:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Any notion that you can become a successful trader in a short period of time
\u2022 Any performance that seems too good to be true
\u2022 Systems which claim outrageous winning percentages
\u2022 Managed funds which don\u2019t disclose trading history<\/p>\n

Another popular online scam is the 419 scam. Just having an email address can leave you exposed. A 419 email scam will make you an offer to score a large payout. You have to pay for the transaction to have the money transferred into your account. \u2018The details vary in each case and large amounts of money are usually involved says Fisher-French.<\/p>\n

\u201cInvariably, the victims\u2019 banking details as well as sums of money are said to be required in advance to facilitate the payment of the funds. The promised money transfer never happens and the fraudsters may use the victims\u2019 banking details to withdraw money for themselves.<\/p>\n

Vishing and smishing scams lure the victim by SMS or voice call. The individual pretends to be from a bank or other reputable company and gets you to disclose personal information such as your ID number, address, account number, username, login details, password and PIN. This information can also be used to gain unauthorised access to your banking account online.<\/p>\n

\u2022 To be better prepared for spotting scams and ploys to trick you out of your hard-earned money be wise to the following, Fisher-French says.
\u2022 People lie for gain: Don\u2019t believe everything you hear or read \u2013 especially on social media. Testimonials can be invented or paid for. Pictures can be taken next to helicopters or fancy cars \u2013 it doesn\u2019t mean they are actually owned by the people posing.
\u2022 If you do not understand exactly how the scheme makes money, it\u2019s because there is nothing to understand. Be alert to vague answers and if there is pressure to \u201cbuy now\u201d walk away.<\/p>\n

She warns, \u201cGet-rich schemes are not miraculous: Miracles may exist, but not in get-rich-quick schemes, unless of course you are the person selling the scheme. Unfortunately, many scammers use religion and prayer to convince people of their \u2018honesty\u2019. Just because someone can quote verses of the bible or claim to be religious, doesn\u2019t mean they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s good news for South Africans who have been victims of investment scams and other online fraud. SAFPs will have a dedicated area on its website www.safps.org.za that collects reports about scams launching at the end of the second quarter of 2018.<\/p>\n

Van Schalkwyak says, \u201cIf you have been careful and still become a victim of a scam, please report the experience to the South African Fraud Prevention Service.\u201d<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong> MyPR<\/a><\/small>
\n<\/p>\n

Submit your own Press Release<\/a> or get free content for your publication.<\/p>\n

Video – How to post your Press Release on MyPR:<\/strong>
\n