Illustration photo by Getty Images
Now more than ever, I am convinced that love is a drug.
It is beautiful when it comes with good intentions but dangerous when it does not.
All these romance scams make love seem like a non-existent, fake concept.
Isn’t love supposed to be this sacred thing we don’t play with? Seemingly, it is just another day in the ‘office’ to scammers.
READ MORE |Woman’s Tinder boyfriend promises her R400 000 only to scam her out of thousands
W24 is inundated with stories of women who thought they had found love online but later discovered they had encountered trouble.
From drowning in debt to battling the psychological effects of love scams, the damage feels irrecoverable to some victims.
Of course, it is easy to have an opinion on this when you have never been in the situation. The reality is that some scammers are so refined they would even go as far as marrying you, while conning you simultaneously.
For someone like Tammy Jacobs*, the scam was so intense and ‘real’ that she ended up marrying a man she met on Tinder.
“We married within six months of dating. I was his second wife, but I believe he already moved on twice and played the same con-man with other women.”
READ MORE | Lessons on dating, love and scammers from The Tinder Swindler
Lindi Khumalo* met what she thought was the love of her life. A man who spoiled her when they started dating, and even showed her his mansion.
“He told me that he was waiting for a container from China with 10 trucks as I was looking for a truck, so we waited for a month, and he told me that his partner had pulled out, so he needed R350 000 for customs. I told him that I didn’t have, I borrowed R70 000.
“Two months down the line, he took me to this traditional doctor in Sandton to pray for us because we were experiencing difficulties, and the guy said we need to bring in money so he can pray for it, and it will multiply into millions. I took out a loan of R250 000 for the prayer. After the prayer, the pastor said I should leave money, then he will continue praying for it, and he will call,” she says.
READ MORE | ‘A scammer got me to talk to him about sex and watch porn with him by promising me a fake job’
It has been nine months, Lindi has not received her money. “I am told that the money is with the ancestors,” she adds.
It is basically the same script, different cast!
Sibongile Dube* says: “I was scammed R20 000 by two foreigners. They were in the country and had a beautiful storyline. They said they wanted to start businesses such as a garage, McDonalds, buy properties, and get my share as one of them showed love interest in me. I was to be married and live happily ever after, having lots of money.”
Once she got the money, they wanted more. The stories started getting more creative.
READ MORE |‘My partner has paid lobola and we just had a baby but I’ve never met his family or close friends’
“They had another story that the ‘parcel’ (gold) needed more money to be released from a safe. The amount was now R350 000 to release and refine it to be ready for sale,” she explains. At this time, her instinct kicked in, and she had no plans to ask for more money from the bank.
“I recovered from this scam. I have paid off the loan. But I am wiser now, and the lesson will be passed on to my kids,” Sibongile says.
READ MORE |‘My best friend of 30 years stole R75 000 from my family, and then she ghosted us’
Love is blinding. Hence, people head over heels in love find it hard to see when they are being taken for a ride. Family and friends may try to intervene, but they are likely to be told to stop meddling in private matters.
If you are looking for love, run when any conversation about money or a business story starts. Scammers are not looking for love. They are looking for help, help to steal from you!
Not their real names*
Have you ever been scammed by someone you loved? Tell us about it here.
Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don’t miss out on any of our stories and giveaways
