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Police say a man who thought he had cultivated a long-distance relationship with a Russian woman online and by telephone has been swindled out of more than $5,000.
Lt. Doug Jahsman said the victim, who was in the military overseas when he started corresponding in September with the 29-year-old woman after responding to a personal ad on an Internet dating site, came to police Tuesday after she failed to arrive by plane last Friday.
On four occasions, he wired money to the Russian woman — totaling $5,265 — for various reasons, including alleged medical exams, travel tickets and funds for her bank account to make sure she returned home.
“He’s realizing he got duped big-time” but he came to police so others were “notified of the scam,” Jahsman said.
“We’re exploring investigative options,” Jahsman said, noting that such investigations are difficult “because it’s mostly offshore (perpetrators). In many cases they’re using an e-mail forwarding system that’s really not traceable.
“I’ve got some calls out to the feds with a couple things that raise Homeland Security issues,” he said.
The victim corresponded with the woman through e-mail and over the telephone since he returned home in October.
Meanwhile, Jahsman advised people to be wary.
Most e-mail scams are difficult to verify and if you actually reach someone by telephone, it’s usually “high pressure tactics for you to follow through on whatever is requested,” he said.
Last year, another Town of Menasha man was defrauded of several thousand dollars when he responded to e-mails promising him large amounts of money. Jahsman said e-mails promising lottery winnings if you pay the taxes or other up-front money are a common scam.
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