By Maki Becker
A woman reported to South District police early today that she was swindled out of $1,200 by a phony Romeo she met through the online dating service, Match.com.
The victim said she met a man who identified himself as "Joseph Patterson" on the dating Web site on Dec. 29. She said the man persuaded her to send him four money orders totaling $1,200, which he claimed he would use to buy a plane ticket to come visit her.
The man also sent the woman a fake check for $2,455. The check did not have a water mark and was from a bank that does not exist.
The man told her to cash it and send him the money.
The victim initially contacted the FBI out of fear that she was not only the victim of a scam but also that her personal identity and credit information may have been compromised.
The FBI told her to file a report with the Buffalo Police, which she did.
ORIGINAL
In a way, she's lucky she only lost $1,200. So many have lost so much more to these scammers. For every one of these that's reported, there are many more that go unreported.
ReplyDeleteIs she a fool.How can she trust a person so easily. She should study more about online threats.Before entering to chat all should know that never let anyone know your personal details, credit card number,etc..
ReplyDeletearchana shekar
ReplyDeleteYou are missing the point of this blog. Mind control, seduction science and emotional manipulation is how this guy probably did it!! Read the exposes all the way through (links on the right) and see how these guys win your trust.
The media also SANITIZES online dating and its a huge, huge industry now. People assume its safe and these stories are rarities.
Wrong assumptions are made by MOST of the public about online threats.