US Embassy Reveals 8 Ways To Spot A Romance Scam

The US Embassy in Ghana has warned Americans to be wary of being scammed under the pretext of friendship or romantic interest over the internet.

The Embassy in an alert posted on its website warned that US citizens should be alert to attempts at fraud by persons in Ghana who profess friendship or romantic interest online.

"Before you send any money to Ghana, please take the time to do your research and inform yourself. Start by considering the fact that scams are common enough to warrant this warning," the alert stressed.

The Embassy also listed some eight indicators of a likely internet scam (below).

- You met a friend/fiancé online.
- You’ve never met face to face.
- Your correspondent professed love at warp speed.
- Your friend/fiancé is plagued with medical or other life problems requiring loans from you.
- You are promised repayment upon the inheritance of alluvial gold or gems.
- You’ve sent large sums of money for visas or plane tickets but the person cannot seem to make it out of Ghana.
- When your friend does try to leave the country, he/she gets into a car accident or is detained by immigration officials demanding payment, bribes, or proof of a certain amount of cash on hand for travel.
- Your correspondent consistently uses lower case “i’s” and/or grammar not in keeping with their supposed life station or education level.

"Cases bearing these and similar hallmarks have all proven to be scams intended to prey on sympathetic and compassionate U.S. citizen victims. We advise U.S. citizens not to send money to people they have never actually met," the statement said.