Attention: Love online can be expensive – this is how you can protect yourself from fraud!

Attention: Love online can be expensive – this is how you can protect yourself from fraud!

Fraud by so-called love scammers is reaching alarming proportions, especially in Liechtenstein, where the police report financial losses of several hundred thousand francs. Perpetrators use emotional manipulation to gain trust by posing as romantic partners who are supposedly in financial distress. To reinforce this impression, extraordinary stories are often told, such as needing money for electronics, a visa or even plane tickets in order to finally meet. However, these stories are mostly nothing but deceptions, as in-person meetings continue to be postponed or canceled altogether VOL.AT reported.

The number of unreported cases of those affected is high because many people, especially older people, do not report the crime out of shame. An insight into love scamming shows that criminals use fake identities to develop emotional relationships through online dating platforms such as Tinder and Bumble. Once trust is established, they ask for financial support under the pretext of emergency situations, which are often made up. In addition, the legal classification is clear: Love scamming constitutes fraud according to Section 263 of the Criminal Code. Clarifying these crimes is crucial because anwalt.de points out that financial demands in supposed emergencies are often part of the scam.

Warning signals and protective measures

However, there are ways to protect yourself. Monitor whether someone is rushing into an emotional relationship very quickly or needs urgent financial help. Exposure to broken relationships or pressure to share intimate images are also alarming signs. The police strongly advise you not to make payments to unknown people and to stop immediately if you suspect anything.