Romance Scammers Arrested | Books By Ed Mitchell

Since we were children we have been taught how to stay safe. “Don’t touch the hot stove. Don’t date a guy that mistreats you. Never text and drive at the same time. Beware of internet scams.” But here is my warning that you’ve probably never heard. Con-men and women are always likable — until they screw you. Just like the one that went after one of my relatives.

FBI arrest online scammers — Romance Scammers arrested in 2018

Wait a minute Ed. I’m cautious. I can take care of myself. I’ve watched shows by Oprah Winfrey and Doctor Phil on scammers. That won’t happen to me.

Yes, most of the time you are Wonder Woman or Superman who takes care of yourself and your family. But life events can make you more vulnerable because you don’t think as well as normally. For example when someone suffers the loss of a job, divorce, death of loved ones, severe storm damage to a home, and other major shakeups to our lives.

Those are the times that the scammer studies people on Facebook or other chat sites, then selects a weak one to pounce on. By studying a person’s running conversations they identify a vulnerability and values. Then they start chatting a little bit, then more and more to lull their target into trusting them. That’s why in 2018 romance scams were one of the most profitable internet/email scams and most financially harmful to their targets. Such scams pulled in $143 million dollars in 2018. It was the type of scam that my wife’s cousin (I’ll call her M.A.) was sucked into.

Both M.A. and I have lost our spouses. But for her it’s only been about a year without her lifetime love. We periodically chat on the phone, because we each represent a connection to our past lives. She also loves my book stories so it is a comfortable topic to discuss because it doesn’t trigger sad emotions.

During a recent call, M.A. was more cheerful than normal. She revealed that she had met a younger man on an internet chat room that she visits since she doesn’t get out of the house as much as she use to. Turns out he’s in the military in Afghanistan, is due home soon, and hopes to meet her then. He has the same faith as her, was married, and has a daughter attending Ohio State University. Furthermore, M.A. said she was totally honest with him about her age and health. But nothing has scared him away, YET!

Flying Red Flag Warning Alert — Scams Always Sound Good

Hearing this story triggered red flags in my mind that this might not be as good as it sounds. So I asked M.A. if it might be a scam? She assured me that there was only a SLIM chance that he was not what he claimed. Some of her other friends had also cautioned her but she was being very careful. She had even found information and photos of him by Googling his name.

Having had a career in the military, as I continue to probe, more red flags start popping up for me. I asked if he had contacted her using a .mil email address. He had not. I also knew from his rank and photo that he was probably twenty years younger than M.A. I’ve had age-gap relationships with older women, like my wife, but twenty years is very uncommon.

Any person’s photo can be used in a scam

Continuing to probe, I learned he had sent her a photograph of his passport to help reassure her he was who he claimed. Big red flag for me. An authentic soldier would not make that type of security breach. And if this was a scam, misusing a passport would be a felony crime.

But I can understand why a scammer would try this technique to comfort a jittery target. Most citizens do not have or have ever seen a U.S. passport. Well, I have. Upon receiving the screen shot of the passport, I immediately knew it was fake for three reasons. (I’m not showing the whole picture to protect the real soldier’s name and photo that was used to create this fake passport.)

Passport real or a scam — Passports Must Have a Person’s Signature

#1 The passport did not have a signature. Notice that the person’s first name is actually typed. There are no irregularities in any letter in the name Glenn. The two n’s are identical.

#2 U.S. passports do not have red measles spots. Wavy red and white stripes, yes.

#3. Date of birth and other required information was not on the photo page.

When M.A. saw the discrepancies she was heartbroken but admitted the passport and her friend were a scam.

Just in time I warned her not to send any money to Glenn or anyone helping him trying to transfer funds, should they ask. The very next email from M.A.’s friend requested $900 dollars so a package could be shipped to her by the United Nations Information Service.

Researching romance scams I found that “elderly people are particularly vulnerable to losing large sums in these schemes, according to the Federal Trade Commission.”

Additionally, here are some tips for lonely singles to help spot bogus suitors:

Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
Talk to someone you trust about this new love interest. In the excitement about what feels like a new relationship, we can be blinded to things that don’t add up. Pay attention if your friends or family are concerned.
Take it slowly. Ask questions and look for inconsistent answers. Try a reverse-image search of the profile pictures. If they’re associated with another name or with details that don’t match up, it’s a scam.
Learn more at ftc.gov/imposters.
Help stop these scammers by reporting suspicious profiles or messages to the dating or social media site.
Also report the scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint.
(In this case, I reported the scam to the U.S. Passport Office, which confirmed my assessment.)

Hopefully, my and M.A.’s experience may help you recognize how easy it is to become vulnerable on the Internet when a heart is yearning for a companion.