Online scams - know anyone who's lost money?

[Lawlass]

Hi all,

I'm writing a feature for The Age about online scams to coincide with National Cyber Security Awareness Week.

Just wondering if anyone here has lost money in any sort of online scam, or knows somebody who has, who might be willing to talk to me for the article? The person can remain anonymous if they want and if you put me in touch with a particularly vulnerable person, I can assure you this will be handled sensitively.

I would especially like to hear from anyone who has been scammed over an online dating site, as these are the fastest growing and highest-grossing scams around and the scammers are getting more sophisticated and clever all the time. But very grateful to hear from anyone who has been scammed in any way at all.

Please don't fill this thread with nasty comments about people who fall victims to such scams.

Please PM or email me (eiley2002 at yahoo dot com dot au) if you can help.

Thanks in advance
Eiley

 

[YQY]

ESTA Scam --> http://www.australianfrequentflyer....and-customs/do-i-have-problem-esta-40045.html

 

[Lawlass]

ESTA Scam --> http://www.australianfrequentflyer....and-customs/do-i-have-problem-esta-40045.html

Thanks. Although that's dodgy, it's not really the type of scam I mean. That's just a cheeky site that does what it says it will (i.e. completes the ETSA application) but at a grossly inflated price.

I'm more talking about pure scams where the scammer is in another country e.g.:

- the traditional Nigerian/419 scams: advance-fee fraud, inheritance scams, lotto winnings, upfront payments
- the 'overpayment' scam (i.e. when you have a high-value item for sale and someone wants to overpay you by cheque/credit card/paypal and have you refund the difference)
- any other auction site/sales scams
- rental property scams
- dating site/romance scams

I have loads of information from ACCC/law enforcement/experts/scambaiters etc, I just need to talk to some real live victims. So far I have spoken to one lady who was scammed out of $7K buying a car online but that's it.

 

[mella2007]

I do know of someone through a client who lost $10,000 to someone they had met on an overseas online dating site....everyone around told her she was being conned, but she wouldn't be told. Fake love lies and promises, promises led her to start sending money to help out with his "medical bills" and "waiting for a business deal to come through"...along with fake paperwork. It was only after a family member got the police involved to try and explain to her that that it was a huge scam that she realised she had been ripped off. She tried to contact the "man" in question after the money exchange...to never be heard from again. It went on for quite a few months I believe.

 

[Lawlass]

I do know of someone through a client who lost $10,000 to someone they had met on an overseas online dating site....everyone around told her she was being conned, but she wouldn't be told. Fake love lies and promises, promises led her to start sending money to help out with his "medical bills" and "waiting for a business deal to come through"...along with fake paperwork. It was only after a family member got the police involved to try and explain to her that that it was a huge scam that she realised she had been ripped off. She tried to contact the "man" in question after the money exchange...to never be heard from again. It went on for quite a few months I believe.

Loneliness and social isolation are major factors in romance scams and the scammers are very good at telling people what they want to hear.

I assume that you're not in a position to ask whether that person would be willing to speak to me...?

 

[Mal]

I assume jetstar selling 'business class' and only providing something that resembles premium economy doesn't count?

I can't help with your story though. People ripped off tend to be secretive and i haven't had anyone tell me of their plight. Although there was a workmate years ago who had a gf in Colombia that he was going to meet... And was planning flights etc. No idea where he is now.

Good luck with the story.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[pauly7]

I assume jetstar selling 'business class' and only providing something that resembles premium economy doesn't count?

I can't help with your story though. People ripped off tend to be secretive and i haven't had anyone tell me of their plight. Although there was a workmate years ago who had a gf in Colombia that he was going to meet... And was planning flights etc. No idea where he is now.

Good luck with the story.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

There is a massive thread on Virgin selling J and giving Y too

 

[JohnK]

I have come close a few times but have never actually been scammed.

I have been on online dating sites and was originally intrigued by the Nigerian/Ghanian scammers and their approach. These days I just play along with them until they realise that I have been leading them on a merry dance not the other way around.

 

[mella2007]

Loneliness and social isolation are major factors in romance scams and the scammers are very good at telling people what they want to hear.

I assume that you're not in a position to ask whether that person would be willing to speak to me...?

Unfortunately no....was only quite fresh (about a year ago) and I highly doubt she'd want to talk about the experience.

 

[mella2007]

Also....another scam which is quite common is the modelling/acting/talent agencies that sign people up, create false dreams and promises, take huge joining fees only to close up shop for a few years and resurface under another name. Quite a few around Australia which have done this.
Now...I would be prepared to discuss this with you via phone about an organisation which has done this very thing...was featured on ACA a few years ago..and have recently resurfaced (with exactly the same business name and all) The nerve of some people!

And no...I am not a model or actor

 

[Lawlass]

I have come close a few times but have never actually been scammed.

I have been on online dating sites and was originally intrigued by the Nigerian/Ghanian scammers and their approach. These days I just play along with them until they realise that I have been leading them on a merry dance not the other way around.

I was thinking of signing up to a couple of dating sites with a profile that fits the psychological profile of those in the highest risk category (if anyone wants to look: The Psychology of Scams - but its over 100 pages long). But I don't really have time. I might just do it for the lulz though

Also....another scam which is quite common is the modelling/acting/talent agencies that sign people up, create false dreams and promises, take huge joining fees only to close up shop for a few years and resurface under another name. Quite a few around Australia which have done this.
Now...I would be prepared to discuss this with you via phone about an organisation which has done this very thing...was featured on ACA a few years ago..and have recently resurfaced (with exactly the same business name and all) The nerve of some people!

And no...I am not a model or actor

Thanks... but it's only pure online scams that I'm researching for the article. This doesn't sound like that.