The Contract Scam
This is a type of dating or romance scam with a contract twist, that involves the use of documents, the promise of marriage/companionship and a happy ending to deceive their victims.
This is one of the oldest internet frauds in the book, because greed is the main emotional response gotten from the victim when the fraud is proposed to them in real time.
The most widely affected victims are middle aged and older males or females who incredibly could be married or single but are usually seeking a romantic partner.
What the reader will learn about
Why this scam works
Why it is widely practiced
The idea behind it
The objectives of the scammer
How this scam works
How to protect yourself
Why this scam works
It might sound a little corny but most times the fraudster takes advantage of the victims passion for business enterprise or hard work as a means to elicit funds from the victim for the execution of the supposed contract awarded to them.
The victim is fed with supporting documents, certificates and other types of proof that they actually have been awarded that contract when in reality all this has been doctored to suit that specific purpose .
Why it is widely practiced
This type of romance scam is popular and practiced because of its relative inexpensive cost of execution and lack of need for prior experience.
And the ability to learn fast and network with other scammers who are engaged in the exact same cyber fraud.
It is easy to get the schedule or format that guides the cyber criminal on what to say, do and when to ask or request for funds from the victim.
It is quite surprising to note that this fraudster's format is quite detailed and even specifies the amount of time from the point of contact with the victim when communication is established until the billing phase.
It also comes with possible answers to questions posed by the victim and reactions to possible scenarios in real time.
The concept behind the scam is the leveraging on the victims emotions here, this emotions are laced with greed and a happy ending.
It is easy to get the schedule or format that guides the cyber criminal on what to say, do and when to ask or request for funds from the victim.
It is quite surprising to note that this fraudster's format is quite detailed and even specifies the amount of time from the point of contact with the victim when communication is established until the billing phase.
It also comes with possible answers to questions posed by the victim and reactions to possible scenarios in real time.
The idea behind it all
The concept behind the scam is the leveraging on the victims emotions here, this emotions are laced with greed and a happy ending.
Although a more sophisticated type of victim may create problems and the putting of great effort on the part of the scammer.
The aim of this scam from the perspective of the scammer is to build a solid doubt free romance with the victim for as long as possible and also being consistent in not giving the victim any cause or inclination to doubt their fake identity.
While their aim is building a relationship, the objective is taking advantage of that relationship and emotional response which is not a logical one when funding for the contract is requested from their victims.
Increasing the chances of success if the victim does have the funds.
The objectives of the scammer
The aim of this scam from the perspective of the scammer is to build a solid doubt free romance with the victim for as long as possible and also being consistent in not giving the victim any cause or inclination to doubt their fake identity.
While their aim is building a relationship, the objective is taking advantage of that relationship and emotional response which is not a logical one when funding for the contract is requested from their victims.
Increasing the chances of success if the victim does have the funds.
If they do not most will willingly take a loan on the promise of the fraudster paying double or triple after the duration of the contract.
The scammer usually suggests this loan option especially when the victim doesn't have up to the amount requested.
This cybercrime begins with the usual impersonation of the individual who the victim is supposed to be in a romantic relationship with.
Before the profile is created an extensive search and gathering of documents, pictures, website cloning and certificates are put together to further the notion of legitimacy.
The scammer usually suggests this loan option especially when the victim doesn't have up to the amount requested.
How this scam works
This cybercrime begins with the usual impersonation of the individual who the victim is supposed to be in a romantic relationship with.
Before the profile is created an extensive search and gathering of documents, pictures, website cloning and certificates are put together to further the notion of legitimacy.
All these tools are carefully sorted and arranged to form a part of the format used to guide the scammer every step of the way.
After all the tools have been gathered, sorted and the profile created on the dating website the next step would be to find suitable victims.
Depending on the gender the scammer searches for they may have to send out multiple mass bespoke messages for females.
After all the tools have been gathered, sorted and the profile created on the dating website the next step would be to find suitable victims.
Depending on the gender the scammer searches for they may have to send out multiple mass bespoke messages for females.
while on the flip side they only have to make their profile attractive enough for males to work for them as they sit and wait for the replies.
After the communication stage has been established between the scammer and the potential victim.
After the communication stage has been established between the scammer and the potential victim.
The relationship building and bonding begins this is done by daily communication and the exchange of emotions and experiences.
Forging this bond according to the scammer's format could take days, weeks and even months but the guide or format is based on the premise or measure of months so as to consider all victim types.
After the scammer thinks the bond is strong enough he begins to test the waters by requesting for little things like gift cards and coupons to gauge the strength of the bond forged and to see where the victim draws the line and how to circumvent it.
In the forging of these bonds the scammer could make mistakes that would tip off the victim and create doubts that the victim takes note of.
Forging this bond according to the scammer's format could take days, weeks and even months but the guide or format is based on the premise or measure of months so as to consider all victim types.
After the scammer thinks the bond is strong enough he begins to test the waters by requesting for little things like gift cards and coupons to gauge the strength of the bond forged and to see where the victim draws the line and how to circumvent it.
In the forging of these bonds the scammer could make mistakes that would tip off the victim and create doubts that the victim takes note of.
For instance grammatical errors, time zone errors, location errors and poor editing of documents even scammers with experience make such mistakes.
There are early signs that could provide insights to the victim about the love of their life being a fraud.
How to protect yourself
There are early signs that could provide insights to the victim about the love of their life being a fraud.
These signs usually manifest consistently for instance in the scammers accent or written words expressed in a certain way those are signs to be on the lookout for.
Another surefire method which is very obvious is that a scammer will eventually request for money as that is their main objective and often while avoiding a face-to-face which is a red flag.
An honest conversation with a friend or family member could also blow the lid off the scam.
Another surefire method which is very obvious is that a scammer will eventually request for money as that is their main objective and often while avoiding a face-to-face which is a red flag.
An honest conversation with a friend or family member could also blow the lid off the scam.
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romance scams