Scammers Use Online Romance to Target Victims

There are so many internet scams out there. Some of the most well known scams come from West Africa, especially Nigeria. But as the KTAL Troubleshooters discovered, this new scam goes beyond your wallet, this time, scammers target your heart. "Somebody tells you that they care and that`s what you`re looking for and you fall for it," Veola Cole, a Shreveport resident, said. Veola can`t get out like she used to so spends a lot of her time chatting on the internet. However, that outlet led her into a relationship that almost landed her in jail. "It started off just casual, a real lovely conversation," she said. Her "friend" described himself as a construction worker from Ghana in search of companionship. They chatted for a month and then he asked Veola for her addresss. Soon after that, he began sending her packages from stores like Old Navy and Speedo. He asked her to send them back to him in Nigeria, claiming they were going to an orphanage in Ghana. Veola believed him, but, she soon learned that he was up to no good. Each and every item was purchased with a stolen credit card. Shreveport Police detective Jason Person says these types of scams are becoming much too common in the Ark-La-Tex. "If it`s from a foreign country and it`s from people you don`t normally deal with, use some caution," Person says, " if they send you money in the mail, really question that". Luckily, Veola won`t face any criminal charges. But, she now knows that wearing her heart on her sleeve can be a big mistake. If you are interested in donating money overseas, do your research and only give money to reputable non-profits. Remember, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.