Though many people who looked for love online ended up having successful relationships, Canadians lost over 50 million in 2023 to scammers who posed as potential suitors on dating platforms.
“Who doesn’t want love?” said Angela Dennis, President of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving central Ontario.
According to the BBB, a scammer will in most cases profess his love for you quickly, communicate with you every day and, before long, tell you about how he needs money.
Angela Dennis, President of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving central Ontario, said: “They (scammers) will say they need legal fees, say it’s a medical emergency looking for funds from you. It’s a red flag, and if you don’t know the person, don’t send them money.”
The scammer may even nurture an online relationship for months, but will always give an excuse as to why they can’t meet face-to-face.
Dennis said: “If you’ve never met the person and they always have an excuse why they can’t meet in person, it’s a big red flag.”
Oftentimes, these con artists will create a fraudulent profile complete with images and information catered to deceive people.
Francis Syms, Cybersecurity Expert and Humber College Associate Dean, said: “They take photos of successful people off the internet and they create a profile, and often they will be in another country where it’s difficult for law enforcement to get to.”
While talking further, Syms advised against giving out financial or personal information, because if one tries to end a relationship, the scammer may threaten the person or extort the person for money.
While giving an example, Syms said: “In one case, the scammer turned to threats. He said he had photos of her, he knew where she worked, and he said, ‘If you don’t take a loan against your house, I’m going to go after you.'”
Romance scammers often have many fake relationships in a bid to get as much money as possible.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), 945 Canadians were victims of romance scams, losing $50,348,774. In Ontario, victims lost $21 million.
Dennis added: “You’re not alone. These scammers are good. Report it, and you might prevent someone else from being taken by them.”
