An NC State student lost tens of thousands of dollars after university police stated he became ensnared in a global dating agency scam, amounting to approximately $41,000.
The alarm was raised when a family member observed the student making “unexpected bank withdrawals.” Subsequently, local law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation, which has now escalated to involve federal officials.
On April 10, NC State police responded to a welfare check prompted by the family’s report of the student’s unusual behavior. What they uncovered was a scam, a type becoming increasingly prevalent. The primary indicator was the series of bank withdrawals.
NC State police revealed that a total of 300,000 Yuan, equivalent to about $41,000, had been transferred from the student to the scammers. The student disclosed to authorities that he had fallen victim to a “dating agency scam.”
What you need to know about romance scams
Melanie Devoe, Director of Public Engagement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is among the representatives from various federal agencies who have been issuing warnings about such scams for years.
“It’s horrifying,” Devoe remarked. “We’re witnessing people from all walks of life falling victim to these scams.”
These scammers are seasoned professionals, operating as organized criminals with a well-established playbook for targeting potential victims.
Typically, the process begins with a text or message on a dating app. The scammers then transition the conversation to encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
“From there, it’s a downhill spiral,” Devoe explained. “They establish a seemingly genuine long-term relationship with the individual, eventually broaching the topic of cryptocurrency investment.”
According to data from the CFTC, these scams saw a surge in popularity in 2020, with figures steadily climbing since then, resulting in Americans losing $3.5 billion just last year.
“It’s unimaginable that a simple wrong-number text could lead to the loss of your life savings, but unfortunately, that’s the reality we’re facing,” Devoe lamented.
NC State police disclosed that they have handed over their investigation to officials in China, the student’s home country.
