Scam Sign: Unexpected Friend Requests – Internet Love Scams

 What are the tell-tale signs of an internet love scam?

• Approached by an attractive person, often foreigner, online. He/she tells a tale about falling into trouble
• Ask you to transfer money, buy gifts cards, do investments as proof of love
• They are reluctant to identify themselves via video call or in-person meet up

How to stay safe? 

• Don’t send money if you have not met them in person
• Verify the identity of the person via online image search on Google Images (https://images.google.com)
• Insist LIVE video call
• “Ask. Check. Confirm” before you invest
• Don’t allow others to use to your bank account

Scam Type	Key Scam Signs	Accompanying Advisories
Internet Love Scams	Professes his/her love shortly after making contact Gives excuses when you request for video call Shares sudden stories of misfortune to gain your sympathy and requests money to help out Request for gifts	CHECK That you do not use clickable links or QR codes provided by unknown persons to make payment / transfers, as these lead to fake bank websites that phish for your banking credentials Do not transfer money or send gift cards to unknown persons Never disclose your personal information, internet banking, and social media account details, and one-time passwords (OTPs) to anyone Do not let others use your banking or Singpass accounts to receive or transfer money. They are for personal use only.  TELL Warn your friends and family about your scam encounter Make a police report if you think you have fallen victim

Five Stages of an Internet Love Scam

1. Finding a Victim
2. Grooming
3. The String
4. Sextortion
5. Realisation

The 5 Stages of Internet Love Scam
Discover the techniques behind the scam and red flags to look out for

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1. Finding a Victim

Scammers search for potential victims via social media and dating apps.

Popular platforms used by scammers:

• Facebook – 62%

• Dating Apps – 25.6%

• Unspecified – 6.2%

• Instagram – 3.9%

• Communications Apps – 2.3%

Victims may fall prey to:

• Money Laundering

• Investment Scams

• Extortion

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2. Grooming

Scammers use attractive profile pictures to induce victims into accepting their friend requests/swipes. They use terms of endearment to address victims.

• Gender: Usually opposite gender

• Nationality: Usually from affluent countries

• Occupation: Usually hold stable, high-income jobs

• Vulnerable: Usually emotionally vulnerable to elicit sympathy

Techniques used by scammers:

• Liking: Scammers first befriend their victims and emotionally support them through tough times.

• Professing Love: Scammers are quick to profess love and try to develop a romantic relationship.

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3. The Sting

Scammers claim they met with a crisis (e.g., needing money for medical bills or a detained parcel) to trick the victim into sending money.

Techniques used by scammers:

• Affection: Victims agree to requests from those they like or relate to.

• Morals and Ethics: Victims feel it's normal to help a friend in need.

• Gifts of Love: Scammers send tokens of appreciation.

• Human Behaviour: Scammers exploit a victim’s desire for consistency.

• Authority: Scammers involve “authority figures” to pressure compliance.

• Urgency: Victims are rushed into hasty decisions.

• Emotions: Scammers exploit emotional reactions.

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4. Sextortion

Scammers trick victims into sending nude photos, then threaten to leak them to extort money.

Techniques used by scammers:

• Emotions: Scammers exploit emotional desires for irrational reactions.

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5. Realisation

Victims realise they have been scammed when:

• They're asked to pay more money

• The scammer becomes uncontactable

• They receive threats

• They don’t receive paid-for items

• Informed by friends, family, bank, or police

Some victims never realise they were scammed and may be targeted again due to:

• Faithfulness to the scammer

• Desire to be in a relationship

• Emotional vulnerabilities (e.g., loss of a loved one)

• Complacency after a near-miss