Our Desk | Head over heels for Romeo conmen

Lynzy Valles

Who would have thought that telecommunication technology would bring our generation to unexpected possibilities, particularly in the area of online dating?

Dating interactions have gone from sending love letters across the globe to communicating through phone, and finally, through the means of internet-
based software.

These quick and efficient mobile apps and websites have facilitated easy access to message transfers.

Amidst the beauty of technology comes the emergence of online dating communities, which is a growing industry.

These dating sites are obviously tailored to users who are searching for “the one,” a “soul mate,” or just a connection with someone.

Yet, thousands of lonely hearts resort to trusting the unimaginable.

Just this month, the Judiciary Police (PJ) revealed two cases of online romance fraud.

PJ announced that a local woman lost nearly MOP10,000 to her supposedly “British boyfriend” she met online last month. The fraudster claimed that he had sent her a birthday gift through a courier – a “courier” who then called her claiming she would need to provide money to reclaim the present.

According to authorities, the hoaxer sent photos through WhatsApp, showing gifts that included jewelry, a mobile phone and cash.

This kind of story and scheme is not new. Who knows why she fell into the trap.

The second incident the authority announced involved a woman from the mainland who was swindled out of RMB4.98 million by her online boyfriend – a man who claimed to be a manager of an entertainment company in Macau.

The money was apparently transferred because of love – over the internet.

These online romance scams have conned victims of all ages, but women mostly. Previously, most of these fraudsters – who disguised themselves as Romeo – used to introduce themselves as Caucasian, mostly portrayed as a “wealthy business men looking for love;” looking for a Juliet in need of affection.

Nonetheless, a report made by the Strait Times claimed that more love scammers are adopting a Chinese identity.

Authorities have announced that a change in their modus operandi has begun, which involve requesting the money to be sent to bank accounts in China and Hong Kong, instead of Singaporean and Malaysian banks.

I reckon this could also explain why the recently targeted woman transferred nearly RMB5 million to someone who claimed to be a Macau resident.

Their vulnerable hearts may have been showered with compliments and sweet messages they’ve wanted to hear since who knows when.

Yet again, this communication is not quite a two-
way interaction since the fraudster has little to offer in terms of personal information.

These victims enter the dating sites investing their time and emotions, and viola! After a month or two they are a few million patacas poorer.

People have always been fools for love but these kinds of stories always end up the same: only realizing they’ve been scammed after sending significantly large amounts of money on numerous occasions.

Users of online dating websites could already be potential victims once they involve themselves in those websites.

But then again, how could one transfer a substantial amount of money to someone who refused to attend video calls? Or even a stranger met on the internet?

This type of love fiction has caused trouble to thousands of victims. Some have even resorted to featuring on reality TV shows, such as Dr. Phil, as they tend to be in denial once they find out they’ve been scammed.

Further, I assume such incidents are a testimony of how there are now an immense number of people desperately seeking for love and affection on the internet.

Because hey, love conquers all, doesn’t it?