Internet Dating Fraud.

[Bigbad]

Do you think that people who get conned like this are stupid or just unlucky?

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-08-02/internet-dating-fraudsters-who-conned-women-out-of-240-000-sentenced-to-more-than-a-decade-behind-bars/

[Old_Geezer]

Probably desperate to believe all is well.
And maybe a bit of both.

[Prudie]

I don't think they are stupid but this is proof of the truth in the saying love is blind.

[Bigbad]

But how can you "love" someone you've never met?

[douglas9401]

Stupid is such a harsh word that should be reserved for journalists sexing up a headline by adding the sentences of all three together and presenting it as the scum getting 10 years for their crimes.

[Old_Geezer]

Love is an emotion, unsure it triggers just for folk you've met. Especially when lonely.

[ummmm]

Lonely and probably a tad deluded.

How can you love someone you've never met? Easy I suppose, easier than falling in love with the Eiffel Tower or a chandelier.

[woofgang]

I think they are no more "stupid" than people who are conned in other ways, with the additional issue that they are probably very very lonely.

[Bobbisox1]

If it works for them then who are we to say what's not right?

[Sqad]

C'mon ladies.........internet dating id mainly for married men who want a bit on the side and if you want to give them their life savings as well.....then good luck to you.
Yes..........you might find Mr Right waiting on his PC for you....but don't count on it.

[ummmm]

Clearly it didn't work for them, Bobbi, as they lost their savings.

[teacake44]

Considering all the work and effort gone into catching them, the sentences are poor. Why the press/ media always give a total of all the scum is that to make it sound a heavy sentence ? They will all more than likely be out after only serving about a third of what each of them got.

[Bobbisox1]

As I said It works for some and others are gullible and should be pitied, not judged!

[naomi24]

Why alarm bells don’t ring when a stranger asks for money is a mystery. I guess hope springs eternal for lonely ladies looking for love. Very sad.

[Bobbisox1]

And it's mostly foreign gentleman Naomi

[teacake44]

Foreign crooks please Bobbs.

[ummmm]

I wonder how often it happens to men...

[Bobbisox1]

Yes teacakes, foreign crooks

[Jordyboy9]

If they are foreigners can’t they be deported?
If they are home grown the sentences given are a disgrace,they will come out of prison and start again.

[Bigbad]

ummmm.

I wonder if the male equivalent is where they choose a bride from a catalogue, or go out to somewhere like Thailand. I know these are “real women” but I think the majority are looking for money rather than love.

[Bobbisox1]

The women are normally encouraged to visit them in their own countries Jordy, then when the lady returns home,they phone and ask for money to help build a future for them and sadly gullible women fall for this