How Do You Know if Your Being Scamed in a Long Distance Relationship by a Prison Penpal
Not everyone using online dating sites is looking for love. Scammers create simulated online profiles using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They profess their honey quickly. And they tug at your heartstrings with made-up stories about how they need money — for emergencies, infirmary bills, or travel. Why all of the tricks? They're looking to steal your coin.
As if all that isn't bad enough, romance scammers are now involving their victims in online banking company fraud. Here'south how it works: The scammers ready upwardly dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a "relationship," they come up with reasons to ask their love interest to fix a new banking concern account. The scammers transfer stolen money into the new account, and then tell their victims to wire the coin out of the state. Victims call up they're merely helping out their soulmate, never realizing they're aiding and abetting a crime.
Hither are some warning signs that an online love involvement might be a simulated. They inquire you to:
- chat off of the dating site immediately, using personal electronic mail, text, or phone
- wire money using Western Union or Money Gram
- ready upwardly a new banking concern account
Did you lot know y'all can exercise an epitome search of your love interest's photo in your favorite search engine? If y'all practise an image search and the person's photo appears under several different names, you lot're probably dealing with a scammer. And if the person's online profile disappears a few days subsequently they meet you, that's another tip-off.
Hither'south the real bargain: Don't send money to someone you met online — for whatsoever reason. If your online sweetheart asks for coin, yous tin expect information technology'southward a scam.
Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too common. There may be tens of thousands of victims, and just a small fraction report it to the FTC. If this happens to you, please report it at ftc.gov/complaint — click on Scams and Rip-Offs, and then select Romance Scams.
eighteen,400 Comments
August 03, 2021
In reply to Hello i am talking to a by Momo (not verified)
Hi ,do you accept a picture of him ,is his son in trinity Cosmic school. Coz I recall we got the same person
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March 03, 2018
In respond to My scanmmer told me his proper noun by paevere (not verified)
I think the same guy got to me. I got red flags right away when he asked for 300 ITunes cards and called the law. They referred me to an FBI site that had a class. My guy's name was Cedric Chapman. He was "orthopedic surgeon" working for United nations in Syria and was a widower with a daughter in a Florida boarding school. It appears this is some sort of racket and may exist hard for the law to catch with him. Cedric looked to exist about 50-55 with a greyness goatee type beard. They sometimes steal other'due south identity, though
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March 06, 2018
In answer to I think the same guy got to by Hilary (not verified)
I have been talking to a guy who as well said the sweetest of things. Even got me to send some him some naughty pictures that he is at present blackmailing on proverb he will post them on Facebook and send to all my family and friends through the messager as well said he tried hacking my work electronic mail to send pictures to all my piece of work contacts. He wants $900 and he will delete all my pictures and never contact me once again. I'grand non certain what to do or where to get about this. He is as well saying he will send pictures to my son's school.
- Reply
March 11, 2018
In reply to I have been talking to a guy by Lost and confused (not verified)
I had the same thing happen to me they try to blackmail me besides they said they post my picture online it be three months then having done nothing however they wanted 10,000 dollars I got them block I think was trying to scare me
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March 30, 2018
In respond to I have been talking to a guy by Lost and confused (non verified)
Hey I'm distressing about that, but you don't need to exist dislocated considering first of all he won't practice it, and I can give you 3 reasons why he can't,(one) he knows that'south a waste of fourth dimension to him if he wants to do that and it will cause him problem (ii) he is tricking y'all to believe he has information well-nigh you (3) he knows he can be trace if he ever does that and it goes viral or escalate so for that reason he wouldn't do it, just tell him with a capital letter letter of the alphabet word GO Alee AND Practice It, and see if he will not block and delete you
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June 16, 2019
In answer to Hey I'm pitiful about that, but past Dont mind what… (not verified)
I needed to read your bulletin....I got scammed big time by a guy I am positive is a Nigerian scammer....as in, I fifty-fifty received a telephone call from Nigeria, when I guess they forgot to spoof the number. I had cut off all contact on hangouts and e-mail, merely yesterday I got a phone telephone call and so text messages from a number in Illinois. I didn't answer....and so today I got more than texts, listing names of people related to me. He has s motion picture of me he screenshot. I'k freaking that he might do something with it, simply have non replied to anything. What are the odds of him actually doing anything???
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June 21, 2019
In answer to I needed to read your message by anybodyknowake… (not verified)
There are a number of websites that if you give the scammer enough info, he/she tin figure out who yous are and these sites will have the names of relatives, your address, cars you have purchased and other information on it. Y'all have to be careful about the info you lot provide. I know information technology'due south hard and sometimes I have made mistakes.
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Apr 01, 2020
In reply to I needed to read your message by anybodyknowake… (not verified)
Hello! I'm curious what proper noun he used. I call back I'm being scammed past supposedly a Sgt. in the Army, widowed, Jason White, who is stationed in the Middle East for a few more months. I setup a separate email acct. for this (dating stuff) thinking it'south safer (is information technology?) and have connected some with him via electronic mail. I did transport a couple pics. Next he wanted to connect ameliorate via hookups only won't give me time to connect..just sends a petty msg here and at that place, doesn't answer to my questions...things go blank, which I understand appears to be a scammer. Also, one of his responses included the word "omoge" and I asked him what that was. No response. I googled it and it sounds like it is a term from Nigeria. I don't think I've given any info that he could use, but am concerned about identity theft, etc. Help in knowing what to exercise/look for and how to find a genuine person!!!
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June 19, 2020
In respond to Hi! I'm curious what name he by newtoonlinedating (not verified)
My uy is calling himself Jack Drowe. I remember I am being scammed. My heart is broken.
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July 10, 2020
In reply to My uy is calling himself Jack by Don't uDiannes… (not verified)
I think I am existence scammed by the same guy. His name is Jack Drowe also.
- Reply
July 10, 2020
In reply to My uy is calling himself Jack by Don't uDiannes… (not verified)
- Respond
October 02, 2020
In respond to My heart is broken besides by Don't uDiannes… (non verified)
How-do-you-do ladies,we all want to encounter someone nice and fall in beloved ,simply how stupid we can be to send information,and most likely money to a person you just encounter,wake up this all scams,be smart written report them and don't give out info
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August 05, 2020
In answer to My uy is calling himself Jack by Don't uDiannes… (not verified)
Diannese I get that 100%. The heartbreak of finding out someone you liked is a scammer is really hard. These people are gross and volition get their karma. I told the FBI near one.
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September 04, 2020
In answer to Diannese I get that 100%. by Alex (non verified)
I'll do you all one better! Not only did I get scammed, I got scammed for three years! I met a guy on MeetMe, he was a "Captain" in the Regular army and was in Transitional islamic state of afghanistan. He didn't immediately inquire me for money. One twenty-four hours, he came on and was in "so much problem." He had "lost his weapon." He told me he'd be jailed and arrested and that his "Commander" had let soldiers die in jail over there. Suffice to say I got scammed and he even told me that if his "Commander" did non receive the funds that I would exist taken to Transitional islamic state of afghanistan and turned over to the Afghanee men. His "Commander" told me that he had a woman and her family taken over there. He was extremely convincing. Of course, his "bank account was frozen and he could not admission his funds and the payment for this "gun" could not be taken out of his pay." Of course, he was gonna come home. He never came habitation. In the meantime, I am scared, worried, can't pay all of my bills. I never told anyone, family or friends about this "relationship." Deep down I knew what they would say. A practiced rule of thumb is if you lot tin can't tell your family unit about someone yous're with, in that location's a BIG trouble. It took me a long time to wake up. I decided I was done being in this prison house and I freed myself. I cut off ALL contact and I hateful ALL. They take been relentlessly calling me and emailing me. It's funny how he couldn't use the phone earlier but now information technology's all "they" are doing. I am non acknowledging or responding to any letters. I know it will somewhen end. Terminal night, I got threatened about a pic I sent, but I am in serious incertitude annihilation will come up of that (and trust me, no ane wants to see it, lol). I feel a great weight lifted off of me. I intend to report this. I am not scared. I don't really empathise why they are even bothering me. It's not like at that place aren't xx more women that this man "loves." I experience like I've just busted out of prison house. It will be a very long fourth dimension before I'll be able to trust anyone again. I am not interested in online dating or any kind of advice apps. I hope I can help someone by sharing all this and the following: i. If you are on a message board, FB, whatever and you are messaged past a guy that says he's in the war machine, RUN! DO Non message back, do not communicate at all. BLOCK THAT PERSON! 2. DO Non EVER SEND MONEY, PICS, or VIDEOS to this person. 3. Practice not take cashier's checks or any checks to eolith into your depository financial institution account. They like to have money sent to you for you to deposit into your account then they want yous to wire, WU, or MG the money to their "agent." 4. These "agents" are the ones getting the coin and likely running the scam. 5. Yous will NEVER and I hateful NEVER speak to a true military Commander or General. First, they don't accept fourth dimension and 2, they don't care about y'all or who yous are. 6. No one can come get y'all and take you out of the country. I think near this one now and I just laught. It sounded very disarming at the time. 7. Real soldiers PAY FOR NOTHING, and trust me, if they practise, CIVILIANS Practise NOT PAY FOR It. eight. The loss of a armed services weapon is a BIG DEAL and money doesn't fix that issue. 9. HE is never coming here. He will never come dwelling house to yous. As a thing of fact, i scam is that the solider is going on get out. Then you get an email maxim he has been "detained" for trying to become on a flying with his ain weapon (armed forces is immune to wing with their own weapon). 10. Ask yourself why y'all have to PAY to be in a relationship? And moreso, how does this soldier have all this time to talk to you? This is my story. I'm embarrassed that it happened. But it does happen to a lot of people, in every economic state of affairs, culture, men and women. It's non just military romance scams, it's all kinds. Depending on the situation, whether out of loneliness, mourning, or other vulnerability you weren't paying attention. The important thing is to pay attention, and if you lot are defenseless up in it, release yourself. Don't allow yourself to be used and driveling anymore. I hope this helps someone.
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November 13, 2020
In answer to I'll exercise you all one better! by It's bad (non verified)
I have been scanned royalty for about a calendar month. The showtime guy named Dennis Freeman was from Beverly Hills but in Turkey doing oil drilling. The Turkish government needed him to pay $30,000 in taxes and he wanted me to access his online banking information, which I refused to do. And then he asked me for the money. Ok, stopped talking to him. Then came James Luck, 4 star in the army. Many videos and signs with I love you, Janet. Fell for him hard. He started to ask for STEAM cards which I had no thought what they were. Walmart told me information technology was as scam and only would sell me $40 then I went to Target and got another $150. He wanted originally $300. Still asking for them or a credit menu so he can "add" money to my business relationship. At the another time, a Turkish neurosurgeon. I asked for a moving picture (selfie) he asked who I was talking to. He tried to get in to my Spectrum account to society Iphone ipods, , IPads., for his son and himself. Son was sending me messages oh "WhatsApp " telling me how happy skilful dad was and that he loved me and wanted to call need "mummy"....omg to utilize your children. The last guy manipulated me in giving him my address and having a check for $585,000 sent to my house. He has my address!! OMG!!! Was talking about Turkish government waving taxes due $196,000. He said he had $42.100 with him and could I aid him please... you know how much I love you..ya da ya da ya da!!!! I said NO... he chosen me screaming on the telephone and proverb gore could y'all adventure like this!! Blaming me for everything!!! I asked for an address to send back the check. I insisted on certified, registered alphabetic character. He didn't want to practise that!! I insisted and got it mailed this morning. I have reported this!! Yes, I'thou scared every bit he knows my accost!! Merely hopefully he won't bother me anymore!! I'k keeping adept data online right now equally proof in case anything comes of this. Please ladies, don't be bamboozled!! Be smart!! We shouldn't ever retrieve were desperate!!
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December 22, 2020
In reply to I have been scanned royalty past JanetLee64 (not verified)
I think I have been scanned past the same guy, he said that his proper noun was Nelson Scott, oringinally from Florida, living currently in Zürich, Switzerland. Nosotros met at Tinder - I am German. He told me that he was a widower and childless and that later the death of his married woman he lived with his mother (Swiss nationality) in Switzerland until she passed away. Now he was all alone in the globe. He said he wanted to celebrate christmans with me and my kids, just he had to go to Turkey on a business organisation trip for eight days. He told me that he would retire after this job. doing some oil drillings at that place lol. After 3 days in Turkey he told me that he has big problems and he asked me to send him over 2 computers, considering the one time he was using there could not cope making the analysis correctly. I did some research and found out that he was using the pictures of another person. Also his cell was located in Germany and not in Turkey, and so I stopped communicating with him. He probably recorded the person whose pictures he used to introduce himself on Tinder during a svideocalls The conncetion was very bad, so I did not realize that their could be something wrong. At that time I did not doubt and believed that it was just the bad connexion. This experience indicates that he about probably is working with a women partner - recording people with whom they chat. I have sent him several pictures of me via Whatsapp and also my address. does anyone have experience and could recommand me what to practice hither? Thanks for anybodys suggest.
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Jan 06, 2021
In reply to I think I have been scanned by Coco07 (not verified)
How tin we substitution pictures. I think I was talking to the same guy
- Reply
Feb 09, 2021
In reply to How tin can we exchange pictures. by Comment1 (not verified)
me besides! I am too concerned very similar story. He is 52 year quondam engineer from Germany. Widowed with 2 children. He has been working out of Columbus, OH, just is currently in Turkey on a contract. Steam cards are his lastest thing. The only deviation is he deposits coin into my investment account in substitution for me to buy these cards. Still information technology all seams strange. Lots of contradicting stories, or things that don't add up. I too have pictures
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Oct thirteen, 2021
In answer to me too! I am also concerned by SuspiciousOfSteve (non verified)
Omg I wonder if information technology's the same guy that's been chatting with me he has asked me for steam cards but gives different name and says he lives in florida just travels to Britain crusade of work.
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April 13, 2021
In reply to How can we commutation pictures. by Comment1 (not verified)
Hello do you accept a picture show? I call back my friend is talking to the aforementioned guy besides
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October 23, 2021
In reply to How tin can we exchange pictures. by Comment1 (non verified)
he might be the same one i know how can we exchange photos mine is besides working with a woman all the similar stry, expressionless wife, sister, child. i was giving him a chance but at present the money affair
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November 17, 2021
In reply to How can we exchange pictures. past Comment1 (not verified)
I would like to share pictures too.poor guys their pictures has been stolen and used by scammers.
- Respond
January 17, 2021
In respond to I think I take been scanned by Coco07 (non verified)
I believe my sister is being scammed by the aforementioned man. He'south currently in Switzerland on business organization. Does he have a stiff accent?
- Reply
April 13, 2021
In reply to I believe my sister is beingness by Laura128 (not verified)
Hello yes I think my friend is being scammed by the same guy correct now. Similar story. Do you lot have a moving-picture show? Please whatsoever more info will assist a lot give thanks you
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September 01, 2021
In reply to I think I have been scanned by Coco07 (not verified)
Hi there, could yous assistance me as I am currently talking to someone who is also using Florida phone numbers even though he says he is in Australia. How did you locate your scammer'south cell? Thank you so very much for your assist!
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September 25, 2021
In respond to How-do-you-do at that place, could you assistance me past Julie (not verified)
Hello there! hey unfortunately, something like I just experienced this week. This man using a phone number from Miami FL. Contacted me on facebook, and he stars saying that he is a Marin engineer from Miami. But , he was sailing to Commonwealth of australia for task's purposes. But the matter is that information technology is hard to identify these type of scams, because he is just asking me for friendship like another normal person. He is using the identity of Richard Marcus, I don't know if is the same guy you are referring to in your report.
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September 28, 2021
In reply to Hi at that place, could you lot help me by Julie (not verified)
He contacted me thru a dating website and gave me his number. Simply photos did not match his surroundings that he told me well-nigh. All very strange. I have a photo if you want to encounter it.
- Reply
October 06, 2021
In reply to I think I take been scanned by Coco07 (not verified)
This all sounds to familiar. Met someone who said he's originally from Texas only is in Deutschland. Swept me off my feet. Instintlly fell in honey with me. When he comes dwelling house in ii mths he wants to ally me. Asked me for a Steam carte. Never heard of it. Invited me in Hangouts. Such a handsome man, if that'southward really him. Became angry considering I texted him that I was not getting no Steam card. He said I don't care virtually him and that I'm evil and a liar. Unbelievable!!! Never been through anything like this. Give thanks God I felt something wasn't correct. Never once more.
- Reply
December 04, 2021
In reply to This all sounds to familiar. by openedmyeyes (non verified)
I have been talking to this guy name Nathan James Gary on hangout he said he is divorce and have been for 1 year an has 2 kids he said he has been working in brazil for his company for 9 years he told me that his contract was almost over and that he would be coming home on December 2 and then he message me on hangout he told me that he was struck in Kansas City Missouri past the clearing officers for coin laundering and was be held in custody and wanted me to send $6000 so he could get release i told I wasn't going ship the money i accept blocked him from hangouts simply wondering if this guy fifty-fifty contact you on hangout
- Reply
Jan fifteen, 2022
In reply to This all sounds to familiar. past openedmyeyes (non verified)
This sounds like the exact same thing I am experiencing right at present... This guy says that his name is Darius Fifty. Tontoh.. Did a search of proper name and prototype results were zero...
- Answer
December 02, 2021
In respond to I remember I take been scanned by Coco07 (not verified)
Playing scrabble. He needed gift cards to get internet and then we could play online scrabble and we text in that location. And so needed money for injured son for performance. I believed and wired coin to another state . Altogether $50,000 over eighteen months. Says he'll terminate Un contract in 12/22 wants to marry me.
- Answer
December 10, 2021
In reply to Playing scrabble. He needed by The SCRABBLER (not verified)
I besides have a guy from scrabble from California but worked on transport for oil rigs I've been talking to him for two years and over that period of time I take sent him over l,000 and I struggle to live . I'm sick over it all. Aforementioned story's as anybody one else different situations of form and proper noun William James the pictures every I establish out is faux
- Reply
February 12, 2021
In reply to I take been scanned royalty by JanetLee64 (not verified)
Ok so another update... do you really think I learned my lesson....NO!!! Since October been talking to a guy named Luis Russell...oil drill engineer. Met him on Facebook dating. After one month he went to Alaska to put in new pipes. Their internetService is spotty. And so he was non able to admission his online French banking company account. Asked me to help him. Stupidly I did. I got the $iii.eight million to Thailand for supplies. Merely I had never done international wire funds and concluded up locking his depository financial institution account. He took me for $35,000. Terminal night he was finally was coming home afterward I paid another $10,000 for a took to terminate the job. He was suppose to cash me from airport so I could pick him up and have him to my house. He invited himself., I did not want him hither. 12 hours afterward 5a this morning he texted me to say he was in California but under quarantine for 10 days. But was letting me know he was going to France to gear up his banking company account. ( but he's under quarantine). I did non respond to the texts. And then I dubiety I win every go my money back but hopefully I learned valuable lesson. I'grand off all the dating apps and going to alive peacefully in my retirement. I'chiliad disappointed in myself and really idea I merely wanted to dice over this jerk. I'm injure that someone could hurt another person like that!! Ladies, and gentlemen... delight be conscientious. If it sounds too practiced to be true so it is!!! If anyone ask you for money cake so and move on!!!
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February 26, 2021
In reply to Ok and then some other update... do by Janetlee64 (not verified)
This sounds familiar. Take u got more details. Did u always video chat etc.
- Reply
April 22, 2021
In reply to This sounds familiar. Have u by Cjs (non verified)
I am in the middle of a situation with the same person and aforementioned story well-nigh identical. It has to be the same person. I accept photos I wish I could post them here. Where are things now? Are you still communicating with him? Same proper name and details. I'one thousand in Texas.
- Respond
October sixteen, 2021
In reply to I am in the middle of a by Txagt39 (not verified)
I think I have a friend perchance dealing with the same guy. Can anyone confirm more details? Oil rig, type of emphasis, age, etc? I'm really concerned as I recollect he is weaving quite a web. Any talk of marriage or him having a kid??
- Respond
September 04, 2021
In respond to This sounds familiar. Take u by Cjs (non verified)
Has anyone received chat messsges from CJ ...military machine?
- Reply
September 06, 2021
In reply to This sounds familiar. Accept u by Cjs (non verified)
I always request a video chat asap and if they refuse dump them rapidly...electric current scam for guys is nursing students in diverse parts of the globe including the united states of america...
- Reply
April 22, 2021
In reply to Ok so another update... practice by Janetlee64 (not verified)
What is your email and I will ship you pictures to see is the Luis Russell I've been talking with is the aforementioned person.
- Reply
June 07, 2021
In respond to Ok so another update... do past Janetlee64 (not verified)
HI, do you take a picture show of him? He might be the one I'm talking with. I take his picture if yous tin can send me your email, so we can substitution photos of this Luis Russell. Thank you, and I am and then sorry you got scammed, he never asked for coin coz I told him he cannot get annihilation from me.
- Reply
July 08, 2021
In reply to Hi, do y'all have a movie of by georgieporgie (not verified)
I remember I'chiliad talking to the same guy. His name is Luis Russell. I have pictures besides to compare.
- Respond
July fourteen, 2021
In respond to I call up I'm talking to the by Lislee (not verified)
I've been talking to a Luis Russell, a Fabric & Metallurgical Engineer, from France, since early June. Met on zoosk. Always email, text or on the telephone. When I asked to FaceTime, he told me he was "quondam fashioned" and only Skyped. Always headed off to his last job before retirement. My daughters were suspicious, started searching him online and found this site. Sounds similar who you all were talking to besides? I'd capeesh seeing photos he sent you. I have many likewise.
- Reply
Baronial 19, 2021
In reply to I've been talking to a Luis past Poseylover3 (not verified)
I met Louis kelvin online. Similar story to others. I have a photo of him and he used Skype to telephone call me and video chat. Notwithstanding the groundwork in photos do non expect as information technology should. Happy to share photos with others.
- Reply
July 14, 2021
In reply to I think I'chiliad talking to the by Lislee (not verified)
I've been talking to a man with same name/story since early June. May we exchange photos?
- Reply
Baronial 02, 2021
In reply to I've been talking to a homo by Poseylover3 (not verified)
I believe hes gotten to me also. Money..
- Answer
Baronial 02, 2021
In reply to I've been talking to a man past Poseylover3 (non verified)
- Reply
Oct 23, 2021
In answer to I have several photos by Sunflower (not verified)
- Reply
November 05, 2021
In reply to was he on linkedin past miss taken (not verified)
A human being named chris harris connected me in linkedIn. He said he saw my profile and got facinated. I acceped his invite knowing that linkedIn is for professional business organisation. After two weeks of sweet chatting he asked if nosotros can apply whatsapp. He sents pictures that i can share with you to know if he's legit. He said he'southward a widower with a girl. I but played with his messages as i wanted to know if this is a scam. His linkedin contour says a petroleum engineer. He hasn't ask for money nevertheless but keeps saying he found the right adult female. Can you help me how to practise a opposite research of his motion picture. He said he works in a drilling site.
- Reply
August 19, 2021
In respond to I've been talking to a homo by Poseylover3 (not verified)
Can you please send me a photo.
- Reply
How Do You Know if Your Being Scamed in a Long Distance Relationship by a Prison Penpal
Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2015/07/faking-it-scammers-tricks-steal-your-heart-money?page=1
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