What to Do If You Encounter Online Scammers

Has anyone else here been the victim of a scam or attempted scam online? Chances are you have. Most of the time scammers find you through online dating sites or groups where they prowl. And, most of the scammers are foreigners and usually based in an African country. Personally, I usually get an African or Russian person (a beautiful woman or someone posing as one) who claims to be an American citizen. The scammer could be located anywhere though utilizing spoof IP addresses which make them appear to be in the U.S., Africa or wherever. This is a type of advance fee fraud and is a variation of the well-known scam called the Nigerian Letter or 419 fraud.

This is how the scam usually works: The scammer finds you or you find them on a dating or friends group, such as Yahoo. They're usually listed as being in the U.S. or even local to you. So, you start chatting through e-mail or Instant Messenger.

After some friendly chatting, you suddenly find out that the person's not living in the U.S. at the moment, either due to financial difficulties, job related issues, or one that's new to me - their boyfriend is a drug dealer who was caught, arrested and they're now stuck there in a foreign country without any means to return to our country. Next, they will say that you can help them. Yes, you! Why? Because you are their hero and savior! You are the chosen one! They tell you either you can wire them money and once they return to the U.S., they will pay you back and visit you OR they have money but can't exchange it for U.S. dollars by sending you a check for which you will then wire them U.S. dollars and you cash the check (sometimes with a bonus because they want to thank you so much!). Of course, they get the wired money, the check bounces and you're out of thousands of dollars!

Man Holding Cash

Credit: John Gugie

Copyright: John Gugie