Online dating scam: Kirov man loses 3,000 rubles

A 19-year-old resident of Kirov (Kirov Region, Russia) contacted the police. He met a girl on a dating site who suggested a joint boat trip and sent a link to purchase tickets. The Kirov man selected a suitable event and paid 3,000 rubles ($33 at current rates) from his bank account.

The next day, the girl said plans had changed and the date would not happen. She offered to refund the money through the service«s technical support. When the victim contacted the operator, he stated: »To get a refund, you need to pay for the ticket again, after which double the amount will supposedly be returned.«

The young man suspected fraud and stopped communicating. A criminal case has been initiated under Part 3 of Article 30 and Part 2 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (UK RF) — attempted fraud causing significant damage. Law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation. The police remind: when messaging in instant messengers, do not click on suspicious links. When purchasing goods or ordering services, only use official websites.