Scammers exploit love to get cash by targeting older or retired women.
Speaking during the National Scam Awareness Week at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Deputy Director of Economic Crimes Reshmi Dass revealed that nearly 10 cases are currently pending in court and recounted how a woman lost around US$500,000 in a fraudulent romance scam.
She said the perpetrators used sweet words to persuade the women – aged between 60 and 70 – to send nude photos of themselves and then threatened to expose them on social media.
“We have received complaints and the victims are the pensioners who shared their nude pictures with the person they were communicating with,” Ms Dass said.
“In order to get these victims, these ladies, to lose their money, they tried to tell them that if they didn’t give him (the perpetrator) the money, he would expose them on social media and defame their character.”
She said that similar cases related to such romance scams were in court.
“He’s a very young guy who did all this.
“He pretended to be abroad and used a WhatsApp number. He tried to contact the ladies who were already retired or perhaps in their 60s or 70s.
“They make contact and have nice conversations.
“The lady I am referring to gave this perpetrator $500,000.
“When she found out that he was just from the area and was doing this to a lot of women, she filed a complaint.”
Ms Dass advised women not to share their personal information and photos with strangers on social media.
“So please be careful when sharing your personal information with others on social media.
“If you receive a text message from anyone, please do not share your personal information or photos as this may lead to the type of scam this person has committed.
“We have about eight or nine cases against this man pending in court.”