PROJECT: THE DECEPTIVE ALLURE OF SWEETHEART SCAMS

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Sweetheart scams, often called romance scams, prey on emotional vulnerability.

Specialised Security Services' primary mission is crime prevention, with a strong focus on protecting

individuals and businesses from fraud and criminal threats. In the past, we have been at

the forefront of public awareness, tirelessly working to educate and warn communities

about the ever-evolving tactics used by criminals.

One of our key areas of expertise is identifying and exposing scams, including sweetheart scams,

also known as romance scams, where victims are emotionally manipulated and financially exploited.

By providing expert guidance, investigative services, and proactive crime prevention strategies,

we empower the public to recognise, avoid,

and report fraudulent activities before they cause irreparable harm.

Please read our previous projects for relevant projects:

https://www.mikebolhuis.co.za/post/project-sweetheart-scams

MODUS OPERANDI:

CREATE FAKE PROFILES:
- Scammers set up convincing profiles on dating sites, social media, or messaging apps, using stolen photos and fabricated personal details to appear genuine.
- They pose as successful professionals (e.g., a car dealer or engineer) living locally or abroad.
- Scammers often claim to be locals or expatriates with ties to the country, leveraging cultural familiarity.
- They might use WhatsApp or Facebook, popular platforms among older people, to initiate contact.
BUILD TRUST:
- Scammers engage victims over weeks or months, showering them with affection and sharing personal stories to establish a bond.
- They often target lonely individuals, especially the elderly, who may crave companionship after losing a spouse or living in isolation.
- Scammers use flattery, shared interests, religion, and promises of love to manipulate emotions.
- They may even tailor their persona to match a victim’s hobbies or dreams gleaned from social media.
EXPLOIT EMOTIONALLY:
- Once trust is gained, they invent emergencies - like a medical crisis, travel costs, or a frozen bank account - to request money.
- For example, a scammer might claim they need funds to visit their “beloved” in South Africa but never show up.
ESCALATE REQUESTS:
- Initial small requests (e.g., airtime or data) escalate to more significant sums, sometimes draining savings or pushing victims into debt.
- They start with small favours (e.g., “I need R500.00 for my phone bill for me to phone you”) to test compliance, then scale up to significant amounts (e.g., “R50,000.00 for a plane ticket to visit you”).
GHOSTING:
- After securing funds, they vanish, leaving victims emotionally and financially shattered.

TARGETING THE ELDERLY:

Older adults are prime targets because:

They may be less familiar with online platforms, making it harder to spot red flags.
Scammers exploit seniors’ limited tech savvy, tricking them into revealing details over the phone or through fake websites.
Social isolation increases their desire for connection, amplifying susceptibility.
Many have savings or pensions, offering a lucrative payout for scammers.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL LOSSES:

Victims lose millions of rands annually.
For instance, a Cape Town woman lost R5 million in a romance scam, as reported in 2021.
Collectively, these losses drain personal wealth.

PREVENTION:

Be sceptical of all unsolicited contact.
Be sceptical of online strangers who rush intimacy or avoid meeting in person.
Never send money to someone you have not met face-to-face.
Verify stories independently - e.g., check if their emergency aligns with real events.
Discuss new online relationships with trusted family or friends for an outside perspective.
Watch out for inconsistencies in their story (e.g., frequent excuses for not meeting).
Avoid sharing personal financial details online.
Never share extravagant posts of personal wealth, including pension fund pay-outs, or the loss of a wife/husband and the accompanying inheritance on social media.
Use reverse image searches to check if profile photos are stolen.

South Africans, especially older people, must stay vigilant by understanding the mechanics of these scams.

Protecting yourself starts with scepticism and proactive safeguards,

preserving your personal finances and avoiding disillusionment and emotional trauma.

Please complete the survey as thoroughly as possible to help us assess the severity of the issue regarding individuals

scamming others on dating websites. These scammers manipulate and exploit emotions for financial gain.

Your responses will remain absolutely anonymous, ensuring complete confidentiality

while helping us understand the extent of this problem:

https://forms.gle/d5sfFedfKxXJSjVJ8

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.

2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:

- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarjftF8PgsI4pODE929

3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.

4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)

CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.

ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.

Regards,

Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949

Mobile: +27 82 447 6116

E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za

Fax: 086 585 4924

Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -

https://www.facebook.com/MikeBolhuisOfficial

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.

STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.

POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv

SSS TASK TEAM:

https://mikebh.link/2fkmx6

Our mailing address is:

Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services

PO Box 15075 Lynn East

Pretoria, Gauteng 0039

South Africa

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PROJECT: THE DECEPTIVE ALLURE OF SWEETHEART SCAMS - SSS PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE