“Cybersecurity Authority Issues Warning About Romance Scams and Urges Public Vigilance”
The Cybersecurity Authority has issued a public alert on June 12, 2023, cautioning the general public against falling victim to romance scams. These scams involve fraudsters creating fake identities on dating sites, social media platforms, or through unsolicited emails to establish intimate relationships with their targets. Exploiting trust, the scammers manipulate victims into providing valuable assets such as money, property, or investments.
To carry out their deceitful schemes, the scammers fabricate attractive profiles and gather extensive information about potential victims’ online behavior, including social media activity. They leverage vulnerabilities like loneliness, insecurity, or past traumatic experiences to emotionally connect with their targets. Through flattery, compliments, and affectionate messages, the scammers gain the love, affection, and trust of their victims. Once trust is established, they request money under various pretenses like medical expenses, business transactions, or travel costs.
Physical meetups are often avoided by these scammers, but in certain cases, they may arrange meetings to facilitate significant payments or the acquisition of valuable items, such as vehicles. To avoid suspicion, some scammers might fake emergencies to justify their inability to meet in person or engage in video calls. When victims attempt to end the relationship, the scammers may resort to blackmail or sextortion, especially if they possess compromising photos of the victims.
In light of these risks, the general public is strongly advised against sending money or providing financial assistance to individuals they have only met online. It is crucial to exercise caution when someone expresses intense emotional interest or makes extravagant promises in a short period. Additionally, sharing personal details like full names, addresses, or financial information should be avoided. People should refrain from sharing nude pictures or compromising images. Using reverse Internet image search services can help verify if a person’s profile picture appears elsewhere online.
By staying vigilant and following these recommendations, individuals can protect themselves from falling prey to romance scams and potential emotional and financial harm.
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