5 Steps of A Con Game

Dear Readers, Stories abound of people conned by shysters who are slick as dog shit (short con) or crooks that are persistent as stalkers (long con). I've had the questionable pleasure of watching three swindlers try to con me while I wrote my book of dating after 50. The FBI is the lead investigating agency for the US (form IC3) and estimates that 2026 Romance Scams will top 630K "cybercriminals" with losses in the billions. 

The Con begins with:

* Identify and size up the "mark" - who is vulnerable (looking for romance on dating apps is a big pond).

* Gain the "mark's" trust - con appeared attractive, successful with similar values and experiences. Seems trustworthy and almost perfect. Lathers constant attention and flattery.

* Isolate the "mark" - quickly moves to private phone calls and text. Says to keep relationship secret from friends/family who might criticize. (When you are secluded and unable to air your doubts, the only one left to trust is your con man.)

*The Hurrah: His sudden crisis forces the victim to make a rash decision, usually financial. Intent is to create worry and urgency in the victim to go "all in" the relationship.  

*The Financial Demand: Lending him $ is the only way to save the relationship. (Repeated) requests for untraceable $ (gift cards, electronic transfer, cyptocurrency), in exchange for repayment with interest/marriage/a week in Rio...

Then they disappear and so does your money, with no real recourse for recovery. Live and learn never tasted so bitter. Read my real life experiences in my debut book, Cyber Frogs And Princes: A Sex Manual Of On-Line Dating After 50, by Suze Q. Available on Amazon, Google Books, Walmart and other fine vendors. Not yet available in Rio.  -SQ