Description

ONLINE ROMANCE AND DONATION SCAM REPORT Date: January 4, 2025 SCAMMER DETAILS Platform: Dating App (Romance Scam leading to Donation Fraud) Impersonated Identity: Marie Temara Fraudulent Blog: marietemara.blogspot.com Fraudulent Email Addresses: - [email protected] (for payments) - [email protected] (for "confirmation") SCAM METHODOLOGY 1. Initial Contact - Scammer created fake profile on dating app impersonating Marie Temara - Established initial contact through dating platform - Quickly suggested moving communication to Signal app - Requested privacy and discretion regarding identity 2. Trust Building Phase - Maintained regular communication through Signal - Sent multiple photos of Marie Temara (likely stolen from public sources) - Built emotional connection through romantic conversations - Established trust through consistent communication 3. Fraudulent Website - Created sophisticated fake blogspot website (marietemara.blogspot.com) - Website appeared legitimate at first glance - Claimed to be for charity/foundation purposes - Provided specific payment instructions 4. Payment Solicitation - Directed victims to fraudulent donation page - Requested payments through PayPal or CashApp - Specifically requested "Friends & Family" payment method to avoid buyer protection - Used pressure tactics with daily reminders and follow-ups - Required "confirmation" of donation to separate email address RED FLAGS IDENTIFIED 1. Insistence on moving to Signal app quickly 2. Unusual request for privacy about identity (despite claiming to be a public figure) 3. Daily pressure to donate 4. Request for PayPal "Friends & Family" payment method 5. Use of multiple email addresses 6. Blogspot domain instead of official website 7. Lack of legitimate charity registration 8. Urgent and persistent follow-up about donations PREVENTION OF FRAUD - PayPal's security system flagged the transaction as potentially fraudulent - Payment was stopped before completion SUPPORTING EVIDENCE 1. Screenshots of dating app profile 2. Signal chat history 3. Fraudulent blogspot website screenshots 4. Email communications 5. Payment attempt records from PayPal DAMAGE PREVENTION This scam combines elements of romance scams and charity fraud. The scammer: - Impersonates a known person - Creates false sense of romantic connection - Establishes trust through regular communication - Exploits emotional connection for financial gain - Uses urgency and pressure tactics - Attempts to bypass payment protection systems RECOMMENDATION FOR ACTION 1. Report to: - FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - PayPal's fraud department - Dating app platform's security team - Google (for fraudulent Blogspot) 2. Alert: - Marie Temara's official channels about identity theft - Dating app community - Online scam awareness groups 3. Document: - Preserve all communications - Save website screenshots - Maintain record of attempted transactions This report is submitted to protect others from falling victim to this sophisticated romance-charity hybrid scam.