Online dream date costs man $2,000
RCMP - be aware of scam - read more at http://www.rcmp.ca/scams/index_e.htm
He was unlucky in love and it cost him big time.
Richmond RCMP received a complaint from a duped lover at the Vancouver International Airport.
A man told police he had been using an Internet dating service to meet a woman named Kelly Gabriel. Gabriel said she lived in Nigeria, but she would come to Vancouver to meet him if he sent her the airfare.
Police warn the public to be extremely wary of information they receive and transmit via the Internet.
The national RCMP website lists online dating services as commonly used by scammers.
“They will gain your trust by exchanging heartfelt stories through e-mails, telephone calls and IM (instant messaging),” the RCMP warning reads. Eventually, they will ask to visit you, but they will ask for the money for airfare. That will usually be the last you hear from the person.
The RCMP give the following advice: “Remember that with time and practice, a successful con artist becomes skilled at manipulating emotions. Therefore, always keep in mind that the person you meet online might not be who they say they are. Even if the individual has a profile picture and seems very sincere, you might be dealing with a person who is using a false identity to get your money.”
The man used Western Union to send $2,000, which Gabriel said she would use to fly to YVR on flight MA0522 from Murtala, Nigeria. No such flight exists.
