Topic : 11/23 Love Scams?

I am so pleased that this show aired.  There are so many scams through the internet, it's quite sad that people are constantly falling for them.  I almost did.  But of course, "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is".   I get approximately 50 email scams per day.  I always check things out before I give up money that I don't have.  I found a website about a year ago that people can go do to post the internet fraud emails that they have gotten so that other people who are about to be scammed can view these other scams that are similar or likely the same.  The website is called www.internet-fraud.com.  I have gotten so upset over these scams that I want to do something about it.  I am going to start out at some local Western Unions and find out if they have some type of warnings posted in their locations for these types of crimes.  I think that it would be great if these companies would educate people before they go wiring money to Nigeria, etc.  I think that could possibly put a halt on some of this criminal activity.  It needs to stop.  There are a lot of senior citizens that get taken for all their life savings.  I think if people would just get involved in their own states and demand that some type of warning be posted to these would-be-victims, we could save so many people from spending their much needed money.  Please everyone, try to get involved in putting a stop to identity theft and internet fraud.

Sincerely,

Linda Phillips

My son got involved with an overseas relationship as well.  He was hurting from a broken marriage and was easy prey.  This person said she was Russian.  These people must have a scam school they go too.  It starts out nice and sweet and then Oh I would love to come and visit but I have no money can you send me some.  Oh I missed the plane because customs thought I was smuggling a treasure from Russia.  Can you send me more money because they have me in jail.  I really want to come but my former boy friend is scaring me.  Then you get an email from a friend saying she has been in a terrible accident and is unconcious and not expected to live.  Boy friend is dead and she needs money for hospital care. 

Everyone told him she couldnt be for real and she wasnt and it cost him several thousand dollars some of which he begged me to lend him.  Fool me. 

Her name was Olesya M. and she lives in Russia.  She also has a friend Marina.  She claims to be well educated and she certainly doesnt look like she is hurting for money from her pics.  They are well posed. 

So beware

  I too received the nigerian scam e-mails and also one from the Phillipines.  I immediately went to the FBI Website and found out that IT IS A CRIME TO REPLY TO THOSE KINDS OF E-MAILS.  So I forwarded the e-mails to both the FBI and Secret Service.  I had seen reports on the news about the scams.  I absolutely stay out of chat rooms-You never know who's on the other end and what kind of harm they can cause you and your family.  BEWARE!

Something like this recently happened to someone I work with.  He was conversing (online only) with a woman from Russia and she agreed to come over to be with him/live here in the states.  She sent beautiful pictures of herself but to come over-he had to send her $3000 for train and airfare.  She (if it even was a woman) was very convincing in all aspects and I think he fell in love with her.  He did just that and never heard from her again.  I wouldn't consider this person to be stupid, I know he was looking for a companion and felt he had exhausted the local dating scene. 

Craigslist.org has seen this scam more than a few times-especially with housing-people claiming to be moving here from another country for college and stuff: