Senior in Norfolk County loses $200K in dating scam: police

The Ontario Provincial Police in Norfolk County is urging the public to be careful online after a senior citizen lost about $200,000 in a dating scam.

A bank employee called officers on Jan. 15 to report one of their client's was defrauded.

Investigators say the senior and the scammer established an online relationship on a dating website which included a thread of emails with the suspect's history and job status.

The scammer eventually asked for money after citing several emergencies.

Between July 2018 and January 2020, police say the senior forwarded about $200,000.

"Single or recently unattached people — often females — are among the growing number of vulnerable population to be victimized by criminals through fraudulent means," reads a statement from police.

"Knowledge is power. All consumers, regardless of age and gender, can take basic steps to better protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud, such as never giving out personal information over the phone, the internet or through social media/dating websites."

Usually the scams take place via email, but some also happen on singles or meet-up websites.

Police released a number of tips to help the public avoid online romance scams:

• Check website addresses carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar addresses to legitimate dating websites. Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating websites. 

• Never send money, or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. A request to send money to a foreign country (using Western Union or MoneyGram) to this person you have never personally met should be a red flag. 

• Don't give out any personal information in an email or when you are chatting online. Like any scam, use your computer to your advantage. Educate yourself. Check the person's name, the company name the addresses used, and ask yourself, "Would this be normal?" 

• Ask yourself - "Would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or emails?" "It's not always easy to spot scams, and new ones are invented every day.