The " Love " Scams !

Valentines Day !   The one day of the year when by tradition the lady is entitled to make the first move.   Such was the earlier protocol that governed the "mating game ".   Of course, customs change in various other parts of the world.  In some countries the vast majority of unions are "arranged marriages " and the two families dicker and barter over things like the dowry and the "bride price " in a manner similar to a stock auction.

Here in Australia we are very proud that our young people have the right to make their own decisions.  Many guard that fiercely and there is often contention with families who disprove of their sons or daughters choice.   We also have a burgeoning divorce rate and many question the wisdom of marriage and opt for life with a partner without the sanctity of a church blessing

Unfortunately, relationship failures generate a vast trove of middle aged people who still nurture. the wish to meet that "perfect somebody " who will make their life complete.  It seems that this is generating an ever growing commercial industry tasked with filling that need - for a price !  The "Introduction agency " is alive and well and aggressively soliciting trade using all forms of media.

Everyone with a computer - and these days that means virtually every person in Australia because the computer is now part of the mobile phones we all carry - is familiar with the torrent of junk mail that flows into their inbox daily.  This is the age of the professional "matchmaker ", the company who will put you in touch with that special person you have been seeking and they have a whole list of attractive candidates from which you can make a choice.

Some - in fact, many - of these dating agencies are genuine, but romance scams are becoming more sophisticated and it is estimated that in 2016 alone more than $25 million was lost to various deceptions and that is probably just the tip of the iceberg.  Many people value their privacy and are reluctant to divulge details when a love affair goes wrong.

Crime agencies are becoming alarmed at the sophistication of the scams being inflicted on unwary people.  The oldest scam is an introduction to a person in a distant city who by phone, letter or email goes to great length to create a warm relationship with the victim.   Either the scammer has a severe financial problem which the victim is asked to fix, or needs an expensive air fare to make a visit.  Usually all contact ceases once the money is received.

In some cases, the scam now extents to blackmail as a form of extortion.   The scammer actually visits the victim and in many cases wines and dines them to the point where sex occurs, and this is captured on video.   The victim is threatened with the film version being released on the Internet, or mailed to friends and associates if a continuing ransom is not paid.  This is rapidly becoming an operation favoured by Middle Eastern crime gangs.

Crime investigators report that people most likely to be affected are usually aged forty-five or over and the method of contact from scammers breaks down as Internet 12%,  Emails 18%, Mobile apps 6% and a further 12% scattered over mail and random phone forms of contact.  Both genders are victims of these scams.

Perhaps on this one day of the year the lonely would be better to buy a red rose and stand on a busy street corner of a city - and see what eventuates.   As with all matter of romance, luck seems to be the determining factor !