LIMPOPO – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation would like to warn the public, especially women about dating scams after receiving numerous complaints around the Province.

According to the available information, women who are recently divorced, widowed, inherited valuable assets or having a stable job but unmarried are targeted by these scammers who would pretend to be looking for a good wife to marry within a very short space of time. In a short while, they would come up with business proposals where the victims would be promised unbelievable dividends.

They would also be required to sell all their valuable assets or withdraw all their monies and make a deposit into the bank accounts that they would be provided with in order to start a lucrative looking business idea.  After successfully depositing the money, they will never see or hear from the scammers again. Many victims are left drowning in heavy debts.  Most of the scammers are reportedly foreign nationals.

Some of the victims are abruptly approached by men who would claim to be prophets connected to their ancestors. They would tell them everything about their upbringing and current lives. But eventually, the victims would be convinced to resign and bring all their pension money to the altar for rituals.

Women are advised to stay away from the scammers who will come to their lives in the name of love. Here are some of the tips to help women identify possible dating scammers:

–        They look and sound very caring and responsible

–        They always come up with a business proposals

–        They do not want their pictures to be take

–        They do not want to meet with you in a public place

–        They always hide their identification documents

–        They do not introduce you to their families

–        They want to own everything in a relationship

–        They do not take you to their real house

–        They always come up with contradictory stories

If you can come across someone who has some of the above traits, you should know that it could be a possible scammer. You better run away from them before they run away with all your money or assets that you have worked hard for.

Source: South African Police Service