Police warn public on love scams

With the start of the month of February or commonly known as “Love Month,” the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) warns the public to be more wary of love scams.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the public should be more vigilant and cautious amid the rampant scam cases.

On the other hand, she stressed that exercising due diligence when dealing with new people should not only be done when talking about love, but in all instances.

“So kita mismo mabaye man o laki, o kinsa man gani diha sa atoang komunidad, let us be very cautious. Kung naa gani nag (attempt) sa ato mo kanang mopadayag og kanang gugma nga murag dinali-an kaayo ba, nga too good to be true, magbantay na gyud ta ana kay, I mean, dili lang man pud ni sa when it comes to gugma, but in everyday nga dealings nato,” Rafter said.

She reminds the public not to immediately believe in sweet words and promises that are too good to be true so that one won’t be a victim of love scams, especially on social media platforms.

Further, she urges the public and social media users to be extra vigilant when checking online profiles, especially those with profile photos that are too attractive.

“When the offer is too good to be true, then you be careful. Beware nagyud ka ana. Di gyud magpadala sa tam-is nga mga pasalig,” she concluded.

Scam Watch Philippines recently issued warnings and information about the types of profiles that scammers would use to take advantage of the opportunity to target victims on social media.

Through a Facebook post, Scam Watch Philippines introduced eight love scam profiles for users to watch out for, especially this “Love Month.”

According to the post, scammers may use profile scams like Sad Boy, Sad Girl, in which scammers use sad stories to lure their victims. Another example, the group noted, is The Seducer Love Scam, which is when scammers use attractive photos and ask the victims to send sexy photos of them which they would later use to blackmail.

The Investor scam was also mentioned, wherein scammers use pictures of good-looking foreigners and ask victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency.

Other types are The Servicemen scammers who pretend to be part of the military in another country seeking a life-long partner and would ask for money, or The Escort where scammers send sexy pictures to the victims and ask for money before the meetup.

Also, some may pose as The Slow Burn scammers who pretend to have genuine feelings and ask for money but decline a meet-up, and The Predator who are mature individuals who try to exploit young ones by giving them money in exchange for sexy photos. -