[imagesource: Netflix]

Being conned or scammed stings at the best of times.

Throw in a broken heart and you’re heaping misery upon misery.

Romance scams are in the news following the rise and rise of Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler, outlining how the conniving Simon Leviev (real name Shimon Hayut) managed to fleece at least three women.

Simon was back on Instagram earlier this week pleading innocence but it appears that his account has once again been disabled.

I’m not sure it will make Cecilie Fjellhøy, Pernilla Sjoholm, or Ayleen Charlotte feel any better but the FBI recently revealed that Americans lost more than $1 billion in 2021 alone to romance scams like the one pulled off by Leviev.

This via The Guardian:

The majority of the victims who were cheated out of their money were women older than 40, and women who are widowed, divorced, elderly or disabled…

Scammers often use poetry, flowers and other gifts to charm their victims, while keeping them concerned with stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, death and injuries.

Never trust somebody who says their enemies are after them and they need money.

Because there is so much dosh to be made, the FBI says these scammers “spend hours honing their skills, relying on well-rehearsed scripts that have been used repeatedly and successfully, and sometimes keep journals on their victims to better understand how to manipulate and exploit them”.

Capetonians are advised to take note. The city was dubbed an “international cybercrime capital” in 2019 after a string of victims of a dating scam came forward.

Last October, eight foreign nationals in Cape Town suspected of being involved in internet romance scams, money laundering, and international-wide financial fraud were arrested.

Speaking to IOL, South African psychiatrist Professor Renata Schoeman pointed out that victims aren’t necessarily gullible:

“It’s enormously difficult to catch a psychopath in the act. They are pathological liars and purposefully deceive people to conceal their modus operandi. They strategically plan their deceitful stories and use their superficial charm to get one addicted, leaving you doubting your valid suspicions and ending up as the victim,” she said.

She said psychopaths are ruthless when pursuing something that they want, without any concern for those around them.

Schoeman offered a list of tips to safeguard against falling victim to such scams.

Front and centre is the old classic – “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Fellas, maybe steer clear of helicopter rides over the Mother City until you’re a few dates in.

As for Simon, Entertainment Tonight reports that he has grand plans:

…Leviev has signed on with a talent manager, Gina Rodriguez of Gitoni Inc., in hopes of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry…

“I was intrigued with the Netflix story. I saw the world’s greatest salesman,” Rodriguez tells ET of representing the alleged con artist.

“It left me with a lot of unanswered questions and was very biased. I believe there are two sides to every story and everyone should have the chance to tell their side of the story.”

It’s reported that Simon wants to write a book, star on a dating show, and host a dating podcast.

Just another reason to never trust a guy who says he hosts a podcast.

[sources:guardian&iol&et]