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B.C. police warn 㽶Ƶֱromance scams㽶Ƶֱ can trick victims into relationships and out of money

Fraudsters may send seemingly innocent and random messages as first step, say RCMP
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Police warn of romance scams used by fraudsters in the days leading up to Valentine㽶Ƶֱs Day that can leave victims out of money and with a broken heart. (Stock photo)

Fraudsters like to break hearts, police say, even around Valentine㽶Ƶֱs Day.

According to an RCMP release, scammers push romance scams onto unsuspecting victims 㽶Ƶֱ often in the days leading up to Feb. 14 㽶Ƶֱ that can cause many to lose significant amounts of money and heartache in the process.

While social media pictures are often used to lure victims, either to portray themselves, their family or pets, the release noted that a new twist to the scam involves randomly received message by the victim that may read 㽶Ƶֱwhere have you been㽶Ƶֱ or 㽶Ƶֱwhere are you㽶Ƶֱ in order to strike up a conversation and build a relationship.

㽶ƵֱThe purpose of the scam is to foster a sense of trust so that in the near future the fraudster can ask their victim for money and they willingly oblige,㽶Ƶֱ said reserve Const. Gary O㽶ƵֱBrien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, in the release.

Reasons money may be requested include a personal or family emergency, a claim to have no access to money, or unexpected business, legal or travel fees.

The release also noted red flags to be aware of include if someone professes their love before meeting in-person, if attempts to meet up in-person are routinely cancelled, or if the profile seems 㽶Ƶֱtoo perfect.㽶Ƶֱ People can protect themselves from potential scammers by not accepting friend requests from people they don㽶Ƶֱt know and by never sending money to someone they haven㽶Ƶֱt met in person.

Those that believe they may be a victim can report fraud online at , by calling local police or reaching the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

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arts@nanaimobulletin.com

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About the Author: Nanaimo Bulletin News Staff

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