Part two of the "Don't get scammed“ series.

Romance Scams & The Nigerian Prince Scam Introduction Romance scams and advance-fee scams such as the “Nigerian Prince” scheme continue to trap thousands of people every year. They are emotionally, financially, and psychologically destructive — and they disproportionately target vulnerable groups, including formerly incarcerated individuals, seniors, and individuals experiencing loneliness or financial instability. This chapter provides a comprehensive breakdown of how these scams work, why they remain effective, and how to recognize and avoid them. 1. Romance Scams: The Emotional Manipulation Game Romance scammers typically operate on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, dating apps, WhatsApp, and even LinkedIn. They use stolen photos of soldiers, models, nurses, or business professionals. Common tactics include: - Love bombing: “You’re my soulmate,” “I’ve never met anyone like you.” - Excuses to avoid video calls: “Camera broken,” “Bad Wi-Fi,” etc. - Asking for money: medical bills, travel, emergencies, crypto investments. These scammers use emotional dependency to control the victim and create a false sense of intimacy. 2. Why Romance Scams Target Formerly Incarcerated People Scammers know that people in re-entry may feel isolated, eager for connection, and unsure about digital safety norms. They use emotional vulnerability, loneliness, and lack of scam-awareness to establish quick trust. This makes romance scams especially dangerous for individuals rebuilding their lives. 3. The Nigerian Prince Scam (Advance-Fee Fraud) The classic scam begins with an email claiming to be from a prince, diplomat, or wealthy official who needs help transferring millions of dollars. The victim is promised a percentage of the fortune in exchange for paying small “processing fees.” These fees escalate over time, and the promised money never arrives. Despite sounding ridiculous, this scam still exists because it filters for extremely trusting victims. 4. Warning Signs Shared by Both Scams Major red flags include: - Requests for money from someone you’ve never met. - Refusal to video chat or meet in person. - Promises of guaranteed profit or guaranteed love. - Asking for bank info, gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers. - Overly dramatic emergencies requiring urgent financial help. 5. How to Protect Yourself Follow these rules to stay safe: - Never send money to anyone you haven’t met physically. - Never send gift cards or crypto upon request. - Never share your bank or personal information. - Always verify photos using reverse-image search. - Always insist on a real video call before trusting someone online. - Be skeptical of fast-moving relationships online. 6. If You Have Already Been Targeted If you believe you are involved in a romance or advance-fee scam, take action immediately: - Stop communication with the scammer. - Report the scam to the FTC, FBI, and BBB. - Document all messages and transactions. - Inform your bank if you sent money. - Seek emotional support — romance scams are psychologically damaging. Official Reporting Links Below are official resources anyone can use to report scams or verify suspicious activity: FTC Reporting: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov FBI IC3: https://www.ic3.gov BBB Scam Tracker: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker Reddit Scam Discussions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams