Sydney Morning Herald

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Master of Master Baiters Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 713

Quote:

Thousands of Australians are at risk from a relatively new online scam targeting the desperate and dateless, Queensland police say.

The state's Fraud and Corporate Crimes Group has noticed a growing number of cases of men and women being lured into online relationships by Nigerian fraudsters posing as prospective lovers.

Sydney Morning Herald 5 Feb 08

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:57 pm

Relatively new? I think the first sweetheart scammers used stone tablets.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:38 am

Any publicity about any form of online scamming is definitely welcome.

Just the other day there was an article in our local paper about a guy who realised he was being scammed over the online sale of his $8,000 remote control glider - he'd been sent a "bank" cheque for much more than the glider and freight was worth and the purchaser was aking him to send the excess money by WU to Nigeria. The paper said that the local Police are contacting the EFCC in Nigeria, but I don't think much of their chances.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:12 am

Sigh - I know we are probably TOO educated and informed about internet scams generally but the total opposite applies to Joe Public (and the police in some cases). Hence the continued success of lads and their seemingly limitless supply of willing victims.

Any media coverage has to be a good thing but it's too little, too late.