LAFAYETTE, LA. (KLFY)โ As if dating wasn't hard enough, the Better Business Bureau has been receiving calls reporting scammers preying on dating app users. People meet other 'people' on dating apps and then take the conversation to private platforms where the intent is to scam victims.
Once on the texting app, the scammer starts talking about how he has a family member who is a successful cryptocurrency investor. This person has inside business information that could make you rich. All you need to do is deposit money on a cryptocurrency trading platform.
Chris Babin, a BBB expert, says that in some cases victims are directed to a fake investment website. They think they are investing their money, but it actually goes straight to the scammer. Once the money is received, they lock you in on everything.
โIn one case, someone reported that they lost $3,000 on this website that was provided to them through this person they met on Tinder. Turns out they couldn't get any of their funds back when they realized it was a scam and the person they were talking to cut them off and blocked them,โ Babin said.
Here are some tips on how you can protect yourself from this scam:
- Never send money or personal information to someone you have never met in person. If they continue to pressure you to invest in a cryptocurrency trading platform, research the investment platform first.
- Communicate on the dating app. If a love interest seems to be in a rush to get off the dating app and onto an unsecured chat app, that's a red flag.
- Ask specific questions about the details given in a profile. A scammer may stumble upon remembering details or fitting a story.
- Research the dating profile. Many scammers steal photos from the web to use in their profiles. Search online for a profile name, email, or phone number to see what adds up and what doesn't.
If you have a scam you'd like me to investigate, feel free to email me at smasters@KLFY.com
