Nowadays, everyone knows better than to respond to the emails from "Nigerian princes" asking for "loans", as those cons are yesterday's news. Since then, scammers have had to upgrade to newer scams. One that has come to light is "out of this&nbsp;world".

In Japan, a 65-year-old woman was swindled out of around $30,000 or 4.4 million yen between August 19 and September 5, by a man claiming to be a Russian cosmonaut.

Watch |&nbsp;How cryptocurrency scammers use dating apps to steal your money | Tech It Out

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Kyoto News reports that the woman, who lives in the Shiga Prefecture, got connected to the scammer on a social media website before they started communicating on Line messaging app.

The person, as per police, professed his love for the woman and even proposed marriage multiple times.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/thiefs-can-use-thermal-camera-and-ai-to-crack-your-password-heres-how-524376" hreflang="en">Thieves can use thermal camera and AI to crack your password. Here's how</a>

He then started asking her for expenses for a rocket for coming back to Earth from space. She transferred around $30,000 to the man's bank account, but when he kept demanding more money she contacted the police.

As per MSN, the man's profile on the social media site Instagram was full of photos of space and he claimed to be a cosmonaut on the International Space Station.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/the-price-of-love-cryptocurrency-scammers-target-dating-apps-466384">The price of love: Cryptocurrency scammers target dating apps</a>

Police are now investigating him for a "romance scam". These cons are actually very common these days. Fraudsters connect with their targets over social media, get close, and trick them into believing lies about love and relationships before swindling money from them.

During the pandemic, these scams skyrocketed as people turned to social media in the absence of social interactions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Nowadays, everyone knows better than to respond to the emails from "Nigerian princes" asking for "loans", as those cons are yesterday's news. Since then, scammers have had to upgrade to newer scams.

Nowadays, everyone knows better than to respond to the emails from "Nigerian princes" asking for "loans", as those cons are yesterday's news. Since then, scammers have had to upgrade to newer scams. One that has come to light is "out of this world". In Japan, a 65-year-old woman was swindled out of around $30,000 or 4.4 million yen between August 19 and September 5, by a man claiming to be a Russian cosmonaut. Watch | How cryptocurrency scammers use dating apps to steal your money | Tech It Out Kyoto News reports that the woman, who lives in the Shiga Prefecture, got connected to the scammer on a social media website before they started communicating on Line messaging app. The person, as per police, professed his love for the woman and even proposed marriage multiple times. Also read | Thieves can use thermal camera and AI to crack your password. Here's how He then started asking her for expenses for a rocket for coming back to Earth from space. She transferred around $30,000 to the man's bank account, but when he kept demanding more money she contacted the police. As per MSN, the man's profile on the social media site Instagram was full of photos of space and he claimed to be a cosmonaut on the International Space Station. Also read | The price of love: Cryptocurrency scammers target dating apps Police are now investigating him for a "romance scam". These cons are actually very common these days. Fraudsters connect with their targets over social media, get close, and trick them into believing lies about love and relationships before swindling money from them. During the pandemic, these scams skyrocketed as people turned to social media in the absence of social interactions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japanese woman swindled out of $30,000 in an 'out of this world' scam

And it's a good time to talk about how the whole idea of meeting the 'special someone' has changed over the years. Matches today aren't made in heaven. They are made online.&nbsp;

Cupid has been replaced by social media and dating apps. But not everyone is using these mediums to find a partner. Some are signing up intending to dupe people.

But in this space between two devices is a lot of room for fraud.&nbsp;

How do you know that the person you are talking to is who he or she claims to be? How do you know that the profile isn't fake? Is there any guarantee that you aren't being conned?

He or she who is stealing your heart may also be stealing your money.&nbsp;It's called the romance scam. This is how it works. Some con-artist poses as your perfect match. You share your stories. And plans of a future together. Soon he or she asks for money. And the moment you send it and they disappear.

Americans lost 201 million dollars to romance scams last year. Authorities say its a 40 per cent jump from 2018. In the United Kingdom too. It's a similar story.&nbsp;

Romance scams were up 64% year-on-year. In the first half of 2019.&nbsp;

Researchers say 55% of people who use online dating services are leaving themselves vulnerable to scams.27% of the UK's online daters said they were catfished.

In Spain, a man was nicknamed the king of tinder. This after he duped multiple women of their money. India too isn't a stranger to online dating scams.

At least 100 men recently fell prey to a gang's honey-trap operation. Among the victims were some top corporate honchos. It happened on a dating app for gay men. The gang would befriend victims online. Call them to isolated spots.

And once they were physically intimate, the gang would rob or beat the victims. They also used compromising photos to blackmail the victims.

So, if you are single and looking to mingle. But don't want to get entangled in a dating scam.

Here are some tips you may want to follow

1: Run a quick online search of the person you are talking to.&nbsp;

2: &nbsp;Ask questions.

3: Video call them to make sure their profile photos aren't fake.&nbsp;

4: Don't share your private information.&nbsp;

5: Beware of those who avoid meeting in person.&nbsp;

6: At the end of the day, it's better to be safe than sorry.

And it's a good time to talk about how the whole idea of meeting the 'special someone' has changed over the years. Matches today aren't made in heaven. They are made online.

And it's a good time to talk about how the whole idea of meeting the 'special someone' has changed over the years. Matches today aren't made in heaven. They are made online. Cupid has been replaced by social media and dating apps. But not everyone is using these mediums to find a partner. Some are signing up intending to dupe people. But in this space between two devices is a lot of room for fraud. How do you know that the person you are talking to is who he or she claims to be? How do you know that the profile isn't fake? Is there any guarantee that you aren't being conned? He or she who is stealing your heart may also be stealing your money. It's called the romance scam. This is how it works. Some con-artist poses as your perfect match. You share your stories. And plans of a future together. Soon he or she asks for money. And the moment you send it and they disappear. Americans lost 201 million dollars to romance scams last year. Authorities say its a 40 per cent jump from 2018. In the United Kingdom too. It's a similar story. Romance scams were up 64% year-on-year. In the first half of 2019. Researchers say 55% of people who use online dating services are leaving themselves vulnerable to scams.27% of the UK's online daters said they were catfished. In Spain, a man was nicknamed the king of tinder. This after he duped multiple women of their money. India too isn't a stranger to online dating scams. At least 100 men recently fell prey to a gang's honey-trap operation. Among the victims were some top corporate honchos. It happened on a dating app for gay men. The gang would befriend victims online. Call them to isolated spots. And once they were physically intimate, the gang would rob or beat the victims. They also used compromising photos to blackmail the victims. So, if you are single and looking to mingle. But don't want to get entangled in a dating scam. Here are some tips you may want to follow 1: Run a quick online search of the person you are talking to. 2: Ask questions. 3: Video call them to make sure their profile photos aren't fake. 4: Don't share your private information. 5: Beware of those who avoid meeting in person. 6: At the end of the day, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Romance scam: How to avoid falling prey to online dating scamsters

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