Romance scam leads victims to fake banks

How the scam works

• Scammers message victims through dating apps or social media platforms. They pose as a romantic partner and spend months or even years, developing a relationship with their victims.
• The scammers may claim they are working at a remote overseas post, such as an oil rig or a military base. This is a cover story, which provides an excuse for why they can’t meet in person. The scammer may claim their workplace has inconsistent internet, explaining why they can’t attend video calls at short notice.
• After establishing a relationship with the victim, the scammer asks for help with a financial problem. For example, they may need the victim’s help receiving their wages from their employer. They instruct the victim to open a new bank account and direct them to a particular bank’s website. This bank is a fake, and the website is controlled by the scammers.
• During the account-opening process, the bank requests extensive personal information from the victim, including photos of the victim’s passport and other identification documents. The scammers can use this information to impersonate the victim, or they can sell this information to other scammers.
• Once the victim has opened an account, the scammers can start requesting payments. The scammers have control over the bank’s website, so they can manipulate the victim’s account and make it appear as though they have received a large payment. The scammers will often say that fees or taxes need to be paid by the victim before they can access this money. However, even if the victim makes these payments, no money will be released.