OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – With the Valentine’s Day holiday fast approaching, police in Oshkosh are warning the public to be aware of potential cat-phishing/romance scams.
According to the Oshkosh Police Department, these scams often start with a random online message through social media accounts that appear to be an “accidental” text message where the scammer is nice, engaging, and attentive while quickly trying to build trust and a relationship with a potential victim.
These scammers typically use a variety of technological tricks, which include stolen social media photos, deepfakes, and AI-generated profiles to trick a victim into believing the scammer is someone that they are not.
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Emotional tactics such as fast-tracked intimacy, long-distance love stories (i.e., overseas, works on an offshore oil rig), urgency, fake emergencies, and isolation efforts (Don’t tell anyone – they won’t understand our connection) are also commonly used by these scammers.
The end goal of the scam is to take the potential victim’s money, as, after establishing a relationship with the potential victim, the scammers will ask to be sent cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, along with gift cards and/or cash.
Police say it is important to never send money, Bitcoin, or personal information to someone who has never been met in person. They warn to be skeptical of fast-moving relationships, to watch for excuses to not meet in person, and when in doubt, talk about the relationship with a trusted individual.
