[Forwarding Information from the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of International Affairs]

One of the new forms of scams involves online dating and social media platforms. The scam typically begins by meeting someone on the internet or Instagram, where the scammer reaches out to initiate contact. After establishing communication, the scammer uses persuasive tactics to ask the victim to purchase game credits as a way to "verify" their identity. Alternatively, the scammer may suggest meeting in person, offering a free outing or trip as an incentive to lure the victim into meeting face-to-face.

If the scam is either unsuccessful or successful, the fraudsters then escalate the situation by sending threatening messages or disturbing images to intimidate the victim. They may threaten to reveal the victim’s identity, phone number, and address, with statements like, "I’ll send people to hurt you," "I’ll make your life miserable," or "I’ll find you and beat you up," causing the victim to fear for their safety. The victim is then coerced into continuing to purchase game credits, which allows the scam to succeed.

In some cases, the scammers may also lure the victim abroad, trapping them in another country and putting their life and safety at risk.

We urge all faculty and students to be vigilant and avoid falling victim to such scams.

1. Paying Before Meeting a Friend Online? Encountering Fraud and Personal Threats on Dating Apps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_2RCF2AJEA&t=8s

2. Female College Student Meets Online Friend, Asked to Transfer Money and Threatened with Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p63xLnMDbT0

3. Fake Friendship, Real Scam! Man Spends 35,000 Points to Meet Female Online Friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yq0BrJHBFA&t=3s

4. New Dating Scam: Man Meets Friend, Pays 4,000 First, Then Threatened with the Mafia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEummpHH_5Y