Saturday, 1 August 2026 ⚠️ Real Incident

Protecting Yourself from Online Romance Scams

An elderly widow lost over R14 million after being targeted by a romance scam on a dating site. Seven people have been charged for their alleged role in this fraud.

What happened

A widow looking for companionship on a Christian dating site was contacted by a man using fake photos and a fake identity. Over five years, she was persuaded to transfer millions of rand into various bank accounts. She believed she was helping her partner deal with business crises and personal hardships.

How it worked

The scammer builds a deep emotional relationship to gain your trust over many months. They then invent a crisis, such as being detained or robbed while working abroad. They often promise to pay the money back once a project is finished to keep the scam going.

How to protect yourself

• Be very cautious if an online acquaintance asks for money, especially if you have never met in person.
• Remember that scammers often use fake photos and profiles to look like successful professionals.
• Contact your bank and the police immediately if you think you have been targeted by a scam.

Source: Cape Town ETC