How to protect yourself from online romance scams

FINANCIAL scams are evolving rapidly, and some of the most deceptive ones no longer begin with cold calls or phishing emails, but with what seems like a genuine and personal conversation, says financial services provider FNB.

- DIEKETSENG MALEKE

The bank warns that romantic financial scams, often disguised as sincere relationships, are defrauding people of millions.

“In a growing trend locally, reminiscent of what viewers saw in the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, scammers use charm, digital intimacy, and emotional manipulation to swindle unsuspecting victims out of thousands of rands,” the group says. FNB integrated advice product head Éster Ochse warns that these scams are on the rise, particularly targeting individuals who are active on dating platforms or those who engage regularly on social media.