Man loses money in online relationship fraud

RCMP are reminding people to be cautious when it comes to online friendships, especially if it involves sending money to someone.

Kelowna RCMP received a complaint from a Kelowna man who developed what he believed to be an online friendship with someone who portrayed herself as female.

Police said the female initially told the man she was in Ontario and then in a foreign country. The female asked to borrow money to cover debts and unexpected expenses.

“The Kelowna man sent a significant amount of money to assist the woman,” said Constable Mike Della-Paolera, media relations officer. “The victim requested to be repaid and offered the woman to come to Canada. The woman refused and ended the relationship without returning the ‘borrowed’ money.”

Della-Paolera said if the basis of the relationship is sending money to help out someone out of country who you have not met, that should be a red flag.

“This is a common internet scheme making a criminal investigation nearly impossible,” said the officer.

Some warning signs are: profiles that seem too perfect, someone you haven’t met professing their love for you and trying to discourage you from speaking to family or friends about the relationship, they will get upset or act distressed if money isn’t sent and they may introduce you to their family to legitimize the relationship.

Police said you can protect yourself by not giving out personal information, don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know, don’t invest on platforms you don’t know, protect online accounts and never send money to someone you haven’t met.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center can provide more information.