Digital Romance Scam: A heartbreaking incident proved that there is no age limit to become a victim of fraud. This story is about a 67-year-old woman from Malaysia, who lost her entire savings after becoming a victim of online fraud while looking for a partner.
Everything started in October 2017, when a man on Facebook contacted the woman, claiming to be a successful American businessman. Within a short time, their online relationship began to deepen and the man succeeded in winning the woman's trust. He claimed that he was planning to settle in Malaysia, but needed financial help in the process.
The woman, who was struggling with loneliness and wanted connection with someone, was attracted to his words. He first sent Rs 90,000 so that he could complete his 'plans'. But this was only the beginning. The swindler started demanding more money from the woman by creating new stories from time to time. Sometimes on the pretext of investment in business and sometimes citing personal emergency, the swindler kept extorting huge amount of money from the woman.
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Over the course of seven years, the woman sent money 306 times to different bank accounts. The swindler's demands became so extreme that the woman had to spend her entire savings and even borrow money from family and friends. Overall, the woman lost Rs 4.4 crore.
The woman never met the man nor talked to him on video call. Seven years later, she narrated this incident to a close friend. The friend immediately considered it a case of fraud and advised the woman to lodge a complaint with the police.
The truth of the deception broke the woman from within. The emotional and financial loss rocked her world.
Malaysian police official Commissioner Datuk Ramli Mohd Yusof made the matter public and advised people to be cautious in online relationships. 'No matter what age, it's important to be cautious before sending money to a stranger,' he said.
This incident is not just a woman's tragedy, but a great lesson on the need to be cautious in online relationships and the digital world.
Here are some important tips that can help people avoid online romance scams:
Verify identity:
Don't trust a stranger quickly. Confirm their identity, such as talking to them on a video call.
Be alert on demand for money:
If someone asks for money, that's a big red flag. Don't send money to any stranger.
Pay attention to excuses and stories:
Be wary of a person who creates new stories again and again. This could be a trick of fraud.
Don't share too much personal information:
Avoid sharing your financial information, address or other personal details with any unknown person.
Identify suspicious profiles:
Stay away from profiles that seem too perfect or have vague information.
Get advice from family and friends:
If in doubt about an online relationship, seek advice from family or friends. They can give you correct opinion.
Be careful, especially on social media:
Before forming relationships with strangers you meet on social media, carefully examine their intentions.
Take help from government agencies:
If you suspect fraud, immediately contact the local police or cyber crime cell.
Be emotionally strong:
Avoid taking wrong decisions due to loneliness or emotional weakness. Don't be in a hurry to connect with anyone.
Increase Online Awareness:
Read about online scams regularly and keep yourself updated.
