Unscrupulous Individuals Devise Unconventional Divorce Plan for Valentine's Day
On the lovingly dubbed "Day of Hearts," cybercriminals see an opportunity to snatch more than just your love. Here's how they play their dirty tricks!
A favorite among scammers is creating fake dating profiles on social media and dating sites. They feign affection, profess undying love, and, ultimately, squeeze money out of unsuspecting victims. Don't be surprised if you come across acquaintances from your past – childhood friends, ex-coworkers, or even old flames – as these fakes are not shy about using familiar faces. Keep in mind, no heartstrings are being tugged; it's merely a clever ruse to empty your wallet.
The chocolate-box of horrors doesn't stop in Russia. A 69-year-old Brazilian woman fell for the "Elon Musk" tale. After meeting on social media, they exchanged numbers and chatted online. Desperate to see her, "Elon" required funds for gas, resulting in the woman sending $2.5 million and planning to mortgage her home. Her children managed to intervene, reported the crime, and thankfully, Elon Musk wasn't footing the bill. Instead, the trail ended in Ukraine, traced to one Taras Bulbanjuk.
Don't forget flower and gift delivery scams. You might stumble upon them while searching for deals on discounted bouquets. You order a beautifully priced, luxurious gift, and after making the payment, the site disappears, along with your order and money.
Remember, love may cloud your vision, but your common sense doesn't have to. Avoid these Valentine's Day traps altogether, and here's how:
- Tread carefully with unsolicited messages, and ensure any profiles or websites are legitimate.
- Watch out for phishing scams pretending to be from well-known brands, offering discounts or promotions, leading you to sketchy sites full of malware and data theft.
- Keep an eye out for the delivery of flowers from a mystery admirer, as this is often used as a cover to get hold of an SMS code, allowing them unauthorized access to your accounts.
Stay vigilant, dear hearts, because, while love is a beautiful thing, ensuring your finances remain intact is even more precious!
- On Valentine's Day, beware of individuals creating fake dating profiles, pretending to be in love, and requesting money under the guise of personal-finance needs, even imitating famous figures like Elon Musk.
- Technology, while advancing, also gives room for scams such as flower and gift delivery frauds where seemingly low-priced bouquets or gifts result in lost money and disappearing orders.
- Regarding general-news and crime-and-justice, it's important to remember digital safety during this season of love. Be cautious with unsolicited messages, and ensure any websites or profiles are legitimate to protect your personal-finance from being compromised.
