Natalie Foster, a 42-year-old single mum of three, recently lost her £6,000 life savings to a romance scam carried out on Tinder. Three weeks ago, she was matched with a man named ‘James’. They hit it off immediately, but soon after, James began talking incessantly about investing in cryptocurrency.
James convinced Natalie to set up a virtual crypto wallet to buy and store cryptocurrency. He persuaded her to upload money and ‘trade’ the virtual currencies. Initially, the platform showed she had made profits of around $86,000. But her balance quickly dropped to zero before she could withdraw any cash, resulting in a total loss of £6,000.
James’ Persuasive Tactics
From the start, James was very forward. He looked handsome in his photo and had lovely dogs, but Natalie wasn’t too keen on his approach. A week into their chat, James mentioned his uncle had made a fortune in the crypto world. He convinced Natalie to invest £300, which she did and made an £80 profit. Encouraged by the gain, she invested another £100 and made another £93, though she never received the money.
A few days later, James told Natalie that the following evening would be a massive night for trading. He convinced her to invest even more money. Natalie ended up putting down £2,000. James then claimed his uncle knew about a once-in-a-lifetime deal that could yield 800 per cent profit. Natalie withdrew all her remaining savings, totalling £3,500, and transferred them to her crypto trading account.
The Scam Unfolds
James added Natalie to a WhatsApp group with his supposed uncle and another person. They made a trade that appeared to bag $86,000 in profit on her trading account. However, when Natalie checked her account, it showed she had exceeded the maximum limit before abruptly falling to zero.
Natalie contacted customer services, who claimed she owed them 20 per cent tax on a New York bank account, amounting to £20,000. James transferred $5,000 into her trading account, making it seem legitimate. But after talking to her ex-partner, Natalie realised she had fallen for a classic romance scam.
Confronting the Fraudster
When Natalie confronted James about the scam, he cruelly told her to “go and die quickly.” He then unmatched her on Tinder and disappeared without a trace. Reflecting on the experience, Natalie noticed several red flags. James claimed to be German but lacked a German accent and often mixed up his own dogs’ names. His photos also appeared to have been downloaded from the internet.
Natalie, who lives in Winsford, shared her feelings of regret. She said, “I feel stupid and ridiculous – I can’t believe I’m one of these women I read about in magazines.” She is currently signed off work due to her MS. Natalie has reported the scam to Action Fraud and hired a solicitor who hopes to help her recover the money. She said, “It was my whole life savings, which I inherited from my grandad. It’s left me totally distraught.”
Lessons in Fraud Prevention and Awareness
Natalie’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of fraud prevention and fraud awareness. Romance scams like these exploit trust and emotional vulnerability. It’s crucial to stay vigilant, especially when dealing with financial matters. Always verify the identity of people you interact with, and be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities.
Fraudsters excel at manipulating individuals seeking companionship online, honing their tactics over the years to execute their malicious schemes. Genuine online daters will never begin by asking for money. If someone you meet online quickly requests financial assistance, it’s a clear indication of a scam.
Protecting Yourself From Scams
To avoid falling victim to a romance scam, remember these key points:
- Be sceptical of unsolicited messages and investment offers.
- Verify the identity of individuals you meet online.
- Research thoroughly before making any financial decisions.
- Consult with trusted friends or family if you feel pressured.
Natalie’s devastating experience underscores the need for increased fraud awareness. By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from falling prey to similar scams. Remember, if something seems too good, it probably is.
