Detectives from Major Fraud Investigation Section yesterday arrested a woman following an investigation into an alleged online romance scam, according to SA Police.
It will be alleged that between November 2015 and April this year, the woman obtained $25,000 through the deception of an elderly man. The money was forwarded overseas via international bank transfers as part of an online romance scam.
The 57-year-old Clearview woman was arrested and charged with 17 counts of aggravated deception and bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 29 August.
Police wish to take this opportunity to warn the public to be cautious when dealing with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it's over the phone, by mail, email, in person or on a social networking site. Always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam.
Sadly romance scams are all too common, with people playing on the victim’s emotional triggers to get them to provide money, gifts or person details.
If interacting with persons you have only ever engaged with on line or via email and the person asks for money for any reason, it is almost certainly a scam.
Remember scammers and in particular romance scammers are often prepared to spend months building a rapport and grooming their intended victims.
