POLICE in Derry are urging women to keep their guard up if they contacted by a conman.
The PSNI say he uses multiple names when contacting his prey but has only one aim – to target females and fleece them of their hard earned cash.
A police spokesperson said: “Do you know this man? Have you been speaking to him via Skype?
“He’s William Smith and is currently looking assistance, or is he Dr Eddie Adams? No, he’s Mark Nelson or maybe its Michael Cambry?
“He’s actually whoever he needs to be to empty the bank accounts of unsuspecting females.
“We’re still finding ourselves dealing with females being sucked into an emotional minefield then cleared out of their money.
“Its a simple but effective scam.
1. Contact made via Facebook, suggests its easier to chat via Skype
2. Actual video Skype call takes place but its a recording not real
3. Sob story about being a general in the American army stuck in Syria / Damascus / General conflict zone
4. There then follows multiple pictures of him in army uniform, walking with Obama, leading troops in battle etc (hideously poor photoshoping)
5. Need money, cash points are broken due to war
6. Money gets sent via MoneyGram, generally around £800 a time so as not to alert the automated scam detectors
7. Promises to come visit, needs more for airfare etc and the process continues
“Sounds so simple doesn’t it yet we have dealt with ladies in this area who have sent thousands and thousands of pounds.
“Lost, never to be returned. Even when presented with all the evidence by us some victims still refuse to believe and continue to send money.
“Yes its easy to mock but the scammers put hours and hours of work into brain washing and sucking people in, it could easily be your Mum, Sister, Aunt.
“The shame felt by the victim means it’s often a son or daughter contacts us.
“We appreciate scam warnings are tediously boring with many people reading them and thinking ‘🙄 Idiots’ but tell your family about these when you see them.
“The more are alert to it the harder it is for the scammers.
“Oh and lads you may laugh – but that’s your inheritance being given away to the scammers.”
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