Ohio Attorney General\u2019s information<\/i><\/p>\n
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warns that more consumers are reporting \u201csweetheart\u201d or \u201cromance\u201d scams — costly ploys where con artists develop relationships with their victims, usually online, to convince them to send money.<\/p>\n
In 2013, the Attorney General\u2019s Consumer Protection Section received more than 50 complaints involving sweetheart scams, double the number recorded in 2012. Of the more than 50 complaints filed since January 2013, the average reported loss was more than $25,000, with the highest reported loss at $600,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you meet someone online, you have to be careful,\u201d Attorney General DeWine said. \u201cSome con artists spend months developing relationships with their victims. They may even send gifts or flowers. Eventually, they claim to have some emergency \u2014 they\u2019re caring for a sick child or they need money for medical costs. If you haven\u2019t met the individual in person, don\u2019t send money.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a typical sweetheart scam, the con artist meets the victim online through a dating website or social networking site, communicating through email, instant message, or phone.<\/p>\n
The scammer eventually asks the victim to send money to help cover some type of cost, such as airfare to visit the victim, medical expenses, or fees associated with military leave. The scammer often asks the victim to send the money via wire transfer. Once the money is sent, it is nearly impossible to recover.<\/p>\n
Attorney General DeWine offers consumers the following tips to protect themselves:<\/p>\n