BPD Alerts Public to Rise in Online Romance Scams and Sextortion Threats

Boston Police are warning residents about a surge in online romance scams. These scams involve fake profiles and emotional manipulation, leading to requests for money. Cryptocurrency scams and sextortion are also noted as rising threats. Signs of a scam include quick movements to private messaging, requests for money, and isolation tactics. Victims are urged to report incidents quickly to authorities.

The Boston Police Department (BPD) is sounding the alarm about a troubling rise in online romance scams. These deceptive schemes are now targeting individuals of all ages through both dating applications and social media channels. Victims range across gender lines and backgrounds; no one seems immune to these scams.

So, how do these romance scams really work? Scammers often set up fake profiles using stolen photographs or images generated by artificial intelligence. Once they gain a connection, they urge the victim to switch the conversation to private messaging services like WhatsApp or Google Chat. After forming an emotional bond, the scammer may discuss plans for marriage or trips, only to eventually fabricate an emergency, soliciting money for supposed medical issues, travel expenses, or legal troubles.

There’s a prevalent trope in these scams involving scammers posing as high-ranking military officials. They may claim they need funds to help clear customs for must-have items or to release packages apparently shipped to the victim.

Romance scams that involve cryptocurrency have surged since 2022. Here, scammers often boast about huge profits from crypto investments, encouraging victims to join in. However, victims end up on fake websites where it appears they are investing money, but later discover they can’t withdraw it. Scammers can vanish without a trace or invent excuses for why access to funds requires a hefty fee.

Additionally, there’s a growing menace known as sextortion. Here, scammers attempt to convince victims to share explicit photos, only to later threaten release of those images unless they receive payment. This form of extortion is particularly rife among teenagers and young adults, who may feel overwhelmed and humiliated, leaving them reluctant to seek help.

What should you look out for to identify a romance scam? For starters, if someone quickly wants to chat off the dating app, that’s a red flag. Frequent cancellations of in-person meetings also raise suspicion. Asking for money, especially in the form of gift cards or cryptocurrency, is another red flag. Many scammers claim military ties or are stationed overseas. A quick reverse image search might reveal that the profile photo is used elsewhere under a different name.

Be wary if they attempt to isolate you from friends or family, encourage you to build a false narrative for sending money, or request explicit images or sensitive financial information.

Crucially, never send money or your personal details to someone you’ve never met in real life. But if you’ve fallen victim to these scams, take action immediately! Report the incident to your local Boston Police station, and you can find the closest one to you online. You should also reach out to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via their fraud reporting site. Lastly, consider filing a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to increase the chances of holding these scammers accountable.