–noun
1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle.

–verb (used with object)
2. to cheat or defraud with a scam.

Origin:
1960–65; orig. carnival argot; of obscure orig.



RESEARCH THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE PAYING  MONEY IT COULD BE AN INTERNET SCAM


Internet Scams come in all shapes and forms.  Some Internet scams even use known names like Google, even though the scams are not related to Google but can appear more legitimate using familiar names.  Scams even design fake websites to look like paypal or your own bank to get information.  Be very aware of Internet scams and tactics scams use.

 Email Internet Scams

A member meets another member and sometimes this person says they are a foreigner or they say they are an American working somewhere else. They prey on unsuspecting, innocent people on thousands of different sites that are only in search of love and the only thing they are after is money and use love as a scam to get money.


 
These love scams occur when a member ‘falls for’ another member. They may be blinded by their hope for love or just plain duped. They are seduced by the scammer with emails, love letters and even presents (like flowers) that are bought with stolen credit card information. After the scammer feels they have the member’s trust they ask for money to be wire transferred to them so they can come visit them or get some financial help. Wanting to help, the person sends the money but never hears from the love scam again. Nigeria, Russia and the Philippines are just a few of the many countries where the love scams are from.


Sending money to someone you don’t know or have never met is very risky and you may never see that money again.