GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Better Business Bureau says online dating leaves the door open of being caught in a bad romance.
A recent study shows that 20 to 30 percent of romance scams victims are recruited to become money mules.
“They really are accomplices to a crime.”
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says they either want to scam the victim or get them to help them in their criminal activity and will move fast down the relationship trail to do it.
“That you are their soulmate and that they want to take care of you for the rest of their life.”
Bach says when the word trust starts getting thrown out early, it could be a strong sign that the scammer is trying to groom the victim.
She says more often than not, they find a way to get money gifted to them.
“Something will come up like a family emergency or they say they want to come and visit you but they do not have the money, so they ask you for money.”
Other red flags are asking for money urgently, asking to ship or receive packages which unknown to the victim, usually end up being purchased with stolen credit cards and ask to keep the relationship a secret.
To avoid romance scams, it is recommended not to rush into online relationships and analyze the profiles of the people you are talking to.
