Beware of financial loss in love
MBIE’s Consumer Protection is advising those looking for love online to be watchful for scams, both on dating apps and online.
Scammers use tactics like creating realistic online profiles, using fake photos and share information that appears genuine. They will aim to gain trust, and then seek opportunities to ask for financial support. Scams are increasingly sophisticated, and romance scams can build over several months before you’re asked for personal details or directly for money.
Once trust and friendship is created, scammers may seek an opportunity to ask for assistance for flights to come to see you or unexpected medical bills. If this happens, stop and think, and remember not to transfer money through a direct deposit, money order or international transfer.
If you think your friend or a family member is being scammed, use our checklist to work it through together: