In researching a story on Online Dating Scams, iMingle.ca stumbled upon a story where several Edmonton women were scammed out of $275,000 in three months.  The scams apparently originated on an online dating site and appears to be the work of a group of fraudsters.

Here’s how the online dating scam apparently works.  The con begins when the fraudsters create a profile on an online dating site.  They pose as “successful American businessmen” and gradually build relationship with older, divorced women.  As the relationship develops, these women are lured into a world of “online romance” and promises of great things to come.  However, things take a turn for the worst as these online dating scammers run into apparent trouble while on international travels, usually in places such as the United Kingdom or Nigeria.

The scammer proceeds to ask for help and money from the women they have romanced through the online dating site and eventually end up taking these women for large sums of money.  According to the Edmonton Police Service Economic Crimes Section, Detective Mark Johnson “It appears to be the same group of scammers and there’s little the EPS can do to track them down.”

Many of the fraudsters appear to be in Nigeria and once the cash is gone, it is gone.

This type of scam is called the Nigerian 419 Scam in which:

• Users (mostly women) are approached on an online dating site by people who claim to live in one location and work abroad, usually in Nigeria or the United Kingdom;
• These women are befriended and over time, the scammer builds trust with the victim;
• Something happens when the scammer is travelling and they require assistance;
• The scammer has a believable story and because of the friendship (or love) that has developed, the women send the money;
• Once the money is sent the women either continue to get asked for more and more money, or the scammer disappears

This is obviously what has happened in the case of these Edmonton women.

Yes, in online dating, it is easy to fall in love with someone online.  The feelings are real.  However, users have to use some common sense.  If you are asked for money for any reason, it should raise alarms.

Many online communities, including online dating sites, are trolled by scammers.  Whether it is a dating site where you have to pay a membership, or a free dating site, the chances of being scammed in this manner does exist.

If you’ve met the love of your life through an online dating site and they are asking you for money, ask yourself if they truly are the love of your life!