For the past year I've been experiencing a series of phone calls and e-mails from women around the world. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad, but these women turned out to be victims of "Romance Scammers" from Ghana and other parts of the world.
One blogger notes: "These scammers are really good at their scams. They put up pretty pictures, nice profiles, get your attention, gain your trust, then need your "help". They say they are from your local area..... but are currently taking care of some reasonably believable business in Nigeria, Ghana, West Africa, etc. They claim to need cash money... or help to cash their checks and money orders, or want you to open a bank account for them... BEWARE!"
I've had calls from women in England, France, Montana, Kansas, and California. I'm not sure how they find me, but it's probably not too difficult. For me this is the main lesson - when you post pictures on your blog of your family, you're subjecting them to being used by these scammers.
Here's an example of the correspondence I receive:
"Dear Mr. Mosqueda,
I think I have been the victim of a scam. I do not know how people can stoop so low. and I wonder if it has happened before. Somebody pretending to be you on a dating site in England. He has sent me your pictures, I do not know how people do this and he has been getting money out of me..... I spoke to him on the phone today for the first time and he sounds African... He has pictures of you in hospital, but it is not you that writes to me is it?
Please reply, tell me I am not going mad. I just knew it could not be right because his English was bad, and from your video you are the perfect gentleman with excellent English. Oh for pity's sake, am I a fool, thank God I did not send him any more money.... I am only a cleaner and do not get much of a wage. Looking for love is a terrible minefield, I will never do it again on the internet. In fact I will be single forever.
Yours sincerely
name withheld"
The scammer generally goes on about an accident or medical issue in Ghana and how he needs money for travel or treatment. He'll send short notes to keep the victim on a leash: "hey how are you doing this is daniel hope to caht with you soon.. i have added you on my yahooIM.. soo soon see yah.. kiss"
Amazingly, it appears to be one person:
Christopher Amartey
P.O. Box 46
Achimota,
Accra.
Ghana
I know this because he always says this is the person who has to pick-up the money in Ghana. So, I'm not on a dating site. I'm not in Africa. I have insurance that pays for medical care. My best advice is twofold: 1) don't post too many personal pictures on the internet and definitely don't put the name of your kids on the internet (something I didn't do); and 2) if it's not a MAJOR dating site, forget about it. In fact, try to meet someone at church or Starbucks, or a grocery store.
