Special Consular Services

Internet Scams

We receive phone calls every day from people who have been defrauded for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars by people they thought were their friends. Often, the friendship, and ultimately the deception, took place on the Internet.

Internet scams are attempts by con artists to convince you to send them money. These fraudulent schemes can include lotteries, on-line dating, inheritance, work permits, bank overpayments, or even make it appear that you are helping a friend in trouble.

All of these deceptions have one thing in common - you must pay money in advance. Sometimes you are asked to pay money to obtain something of value for yourself (e.g. a prize, a romantic relationship, more money); sometimes you are asked to pay money to help a friend in trouble - but you are always asked to pay some money. Sometimes the request for money comes within days, sometimes it comes within months - but there is always a request for money.

In some cases, those attempting to deceive you may even claim to be calling from a U.S. Embassy, where, they say, your partner, business associate, or friend is being detained pending payment of some type of fee. U.S. Embassies do NOT detain people.

Con artists can be very creative and very determined. Be skeptical. Do not send anyone money unless you are certain that it is a legitimate request - even if you think you know the person well because you have corresponded for several months over the Internet. It will be very difficult to recover your money if you are being deceived. For more information, please see the Department of State's PDF brochure at http://travel.state.gov/pdf/international_financial_scams_brochure.pdf).

Signs of an Internet scam

• The scammer and victim meet online, often through a dating or employment website, and may have never met in person.
• Photographs of the scammer show a very attractive person, and appear to have been taken at a professional modeling agency or photo studio
• The scammer's luck is incredibly bad - he/she is in a car crash, or arrested, or mugged, or beaten, or hospitalized. Close family members are dead or unable to assist. Sometimes, the scammer claims to have a young child overseas who is ill or hospitalized.
• The scammer claims to have been born and raised in the United States, but uses poor grammar indicative of a non-native English speaker
• The scammer asks for money to get out of a bad situation or to provide a service.
• Although the scammer may claim to be in the United Kingdom, s/he may ask that the money be sent to an account in another country.

If you believe you are the victim of an Internet scam

• Do not send money. Unfortunately, any money that you might already have sent will probably not be recoverable.
• Contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at: http://www.ic3.gov/. If the scam originated through a particular website, notify the administrators of that website.
• It is best to end all communication with the scammer immediately, rather than attempt resolution directly. If you feel threatened in any way, contact your local police at once.

If you are in the United Kingdom, you also may call the U.S. Embassy in London at 20-7499-9000, or email us at SCSLondon@state.gov . Within the United States, you may call the Department of State's Office of Overseas Citizens Services at toll-free at 1-888-407-4747.

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