Internet Dating Scams

The growing popularity of Internet romance has led to the growth of fraudulent online activity directed at Americans. The United States Embassy in Moscow is receiving increasing numbers of complaints from American citizens who have been lured into online relationships via false internet profiles. Often, these are men pretending to be women who make contact with Americans — usually men — over the Internet through dating websites or chat rooms.
The fictitious person then seeks to create a virtual relationship through the exchange of photos and e-mails. At some point s/he begins to ask for money, frequently asking that it be transferred through wire services. S/he commonly states that the money is needed to help resolve a family tragedy or arrange for a trip to the United States. A copy of a fraudulent U.S. visa is sometimes attached to prove good intentions. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow urges Americans to exercise caution — many U.S. citizens have lost hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars.
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