Scammers use online dating services to target potential victims

Posted by Caitlin on June 29th, 2009

Last week, guest expert Robert Siciliano discussed scammers who use Craigslist classified ads to target potential victims. Apparently, the same types of scammers also use online dating services to seek out gullible marks. A few days ago, Consumerist received a story from a reader who was contacted by a scammer on Match.com. The message is written in the grammatically incoherent style that tends to characterize foreign scammers. The scammer does not propose any financial transactions in this first message, he simply attempts to initiate contact and establish a relationship. However, he also assumes the name Sgt. Mark Edwards, which is commonly used in Nigerian 411 scams.

If you use Match.com or another online dating service, Robert Siciliano's advice about Craigslist scammers also applies. And if you get any messages from Sgt. Mark Edwards, consider yourself warned.

Of course, identity theft protection and Internet security software are excellent lines of defense against the cybercriminals who prey on users of Match.com, Craigslist, or any other online community.