Travel expense and visa fee scam
One common scam is the “Travel expense and visa fee” scam. How it works is that the scammer establishes a need for the potential victim to give money for a plane ticket to the location of the victim. The need is established by some sort of incentive. For example, they scammer will lie about how they feel about the victim to create false relationship (romance scam). Sometimes the scammer will tell the victim that their has been an emergency and they need money to travel. Once the money is wired to from the victim to the scammer (usually via Western Union, MoneyGram, Xoom or other methods), the scammer takes the money and runs.
Travel expense and visa fee scam
In this scam the scammer will say that he/she wants to visit you but doesn’t have enough money to pay for his/her plane ticket and travel expenses. They will then suggest that you send them the money so they can purchase a plane ticket. Shortly later they will tell you they need additional money for a passport, visa fees, transportation to the airport and miscellaneous expenses. In some cases they will also tell the victim that the visa requirements state that they need to have a certain amount of money in their bank account so they can proof to the immigration official that they have sufficient funds for their visa. Some scammers will show fake copies of plane tickets, visas or other documents to make the travel plans appear to be authentic. After wiring the money the victim waits at the airport patiently with a bunch of flowers for his/her love of their life to arrive. Only when all passengers are off the plane and the scammer doesn’t show up do they realize that they’ve been scammed. In order to avoid these scams never send money for any travel related expense, instead make it clear that you will travel to meet them AFTER you have spent considerable time chatting to them for many months. Also, make it clear that you will never send any money to anyone you meet online. If the person is genuine they should be very happy that you will travel to meet them, if they are a scammer and sense that they will never receive any money you will probably find that they disappear as soon as they realize they will never receive any financial benefit from communicating with you.
Message from a scammer:
hello honey i will like you to sen dme 8000$ for passport and visa so taht i will come to your country and you can marry me