What happens when the road to forever turns out to be a scam? In this month’s episode of The Atom Araullo Specials, host Atom Araullo looks into the intricate web of online deceit called “love scam”.
The Sumbungan ng Bayan Action Center has seen an increase in the number of heartbroken complainants reporting foreign online scammers whose modus is to steal not only the victims’ hearts but a large amount of their money. Marie, a 37-year-old single mom, was led to believe she has found both a lover and a job in the US. But in the end, she learned that she was tricked into sending money in exchange of her U.S. visa that was never processed. Another victim lost P15 million to someone she thought loved her.
According to a British founder and a Filipina volunteer of the online group Scam Haters United, “love scam” happens in various countries. Ruth and Jocelyn have once been victims of love scams. They also fell for the “too good to be true” profile and sweetness of their online prince charming and were asked to send money for what they thought were reasonable transactions. Their heartbreaking experience led them to form a helpful website for love scam victims all over the world.
But who are the people behind this online scam? What can the victims do to exact justice? And what are the red flags to avoid falling prey to this modus?
Join 2019 New York Festivals Silver World Medalist Atom Araullo in a meaningful journey and extensive discussion of today’s issues in The Atom Araullo Specials: Fraud-ibig today at 4:30 p.m. on GMA-7.