7 Days 7 Signs, Day 3: Don't go abroad

 

It's a dark & stormy night, All Hallows Eve is here. You step from the doorway you've been covering in, a dark figure looms over you. Pale, bony fingers poke at you in the cold night air, a wisp of putrid air escapes their mouth and finds your nostrils. You try not to breathe in the rank air, but it's unavoidable. The hot, sickening odor overcomes you as they whisper in your face:

7 Days 7 Signs, Day 3, Don't go abroad:

"Stuck abroad" emergency money requests are a common tactic used in romance scams. Here's a more detailed look at this type of fraud:

Basic premise:

The scammer claims to be traveling or working abroad & suddenly encounters an emergency situation requiring immediate financial assistance. Ruh-oh.

Common scenarios:

• Arrested & needs bail money

• Passport stolen or lost, needs funds for replacement and travel

• Injured or ill, requiring money for medical treatment

• Robbed or mugged, needing money to get home

Psychological tactics:

• Creates a sense of urgency to pressure quick decision-making

• Plays on the victim's emotions & desire to help a loved one

• Often occurs after building trust over weeks or months

• May use guilt or emotional blackmail if the victim hesitates

Money transfer methods:

• Wire transfers (e.g., Western Union, MoneyGram)

• Cryptocurrency

• Gift cards (scammer claims they can be easily cashed out abroad)

• Bank transfers to unfamiliar accounts

Escalation:

• Initial request often leads to more "complications" requiring additional funds

• Scammer may promise to repay once they return, keeping the victim invested

Red flags:

• Reluctance to involve family, friends, or official channels for help

• Inconsistencies in the story or lack of verifiable details

• Pressure to keep the situation secret

• Inability to communicate through official channels (e.g., embassy)

Prevention:

• Verify the person's location & situation independently

• Contact mutual friends or family if possible

• Suggest official channels for assistance (e.g., embassies, employers)

• Be wary of any requests for money, especially early in a relationship

Impact on victims:

• Financial losses, sometimes substantial

• Emotional distress & betrayal

• Potential long-term trust issues

This scam is effective because it combines the emotional connection built through the romance scam with a crisis, making the victim more likely to act quickly without thorough consideration.

Let's help prevent this from happening:

Amazon.com: HeartBreak Hackers: Don't Let Love Scam You eBook : Schroeder CAMS CFCS, Eina: Kindle Store

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJHDQD15

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7 Days 7 Signs, Day 2: Military personnel impersonation scams

 7 Days 7 Signs Warning you of a Romance Scam, Day 2:

Military personnel impersonation scams are a particularly insidious form of romance scam. Here's a more detailed look at this type of fraud:

Premise: Scammers pose as members of the military, often claiming to be deployed overseas. They exploit the respect and admiration many people have for service members.

Profile creation:

• Use stolen photos of real military personnel

• Create backstories involving current conflict zones or well-known military bases

• May claim to be in special forces or on classified missions to explain limited communication

Common narratives:

• Needing money for leave or travel expenses to visit the victim

• Requesting funds for medical treatment not covered by the military

• Asking for help to pay for early retirement or discharge fees

• Claiming to need money to access their own frozen bank accounts

Emotional manipulation:

• Play on patriotic feelings and desire to support troops

• Use loneliness and the idea of a long-distance relationship to create strong emotional bonds

• May claim to be widowed or single parents to evoke sympathy

Red flags:

• Inconsistencies in military knowledge or protocol

• Requests to use non-official communication channels

• Pressure to keep the relationship secret

• Rapid escalation of the relationship

Prevention efforts:

• Military branches actively warn about these scams

• Encourage verification through official military channels

• Advise that service members have access to military communication services and don't need money for leave

Impact:

• Financial losses for victims

• Emotional trauma and betrayal

• Potential security risks if personal information is shared

• Damage to the reputation of genuine military personnel

Legal aspects:

• Impersonating a federal officer is a crime in many jurisdictions

• Can involve multiple fraudulent activities (wire fraud, identity theft)

These scams are particularly effective because they combine emotional manipulation with the façade of a trustworthy, heroic figure, making victims more likely to overlook inconsistencies and respond to requests for help.

Spreading awareness is key, share knowledge, share information and help stop the flow. Here's the perfect way:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJHDQD15

#romancescammers #militaryscam #scams #fincrime #financialcrime #trauma #military #redflags

7 Days, 7 Signs - Day 1: Catfishing

 

Day 1:

Catfishing is a deceptive practice where someone creates a fake online persona to lure others into a relationship. Here are some key points about catfishing:

• False Identities: they aren't who you think they are, in any way - Catfishers often use stolen photos and fabricated personal information to create an attractive or sympathetic online profile.
• Platforms: Multiple platforms, moving to secure chatting with WhatsApp & Signal - This can occur on social media, dating apps, forums, or any online platform where people connect.
• Motivations: Manipulation, money and insecurity - Catfishers may seek emotional fulfillment, financial gain, or simply enjoy manipulating others. Some may be lonely or insecure about their real identity.

• Red Flags: no video chat, can't meet, rich but needs $$ -

  Reluctance to video chat or meet in person - Reverse image searches and video chat can help verify someone's identity, though catfishers are becoming more sophisticated in evading detection.
• Inconsistencies in their stories
• Requests for money or personal information (they'll use this info to attempt identity theft)
• Professing love unusually quickly

... but wait, there's more:

• Use Reverse image searches like google or tineye - liberally
• Don't underestimate the emotional impact of being deceived - have a strong support network: Victims often experience significant emotional distress upon discovering the deception, leading to trust issues and sometimes financial losses.
• Some catfishing leads to identity theft and fraud (don't be a victim): While catfishing itself isn't always illegal, it can lead to crimes like fraud or identity theft.

• Spreading awareness is key: Here's the perfect way:

(Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJHDQD15

(Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heartbreak-hackers-eina-schroeder/1146392448?ean=2940180937247

(Fable): https://fable.co/book/x-9798227995063

(Smashwords): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1630318

Go forth ... and be safe.