<p>The infamous ‘Tinder Swindler’ Simon Leviev was arrested in Georgia on Monday after Interpol issued a Red Notice for his arrest. The 35-year-old, whose notoriety was featured in Netflix’s hit, was detained at Batumi International airport, according to Georgian and Israeli media reports. The Israeli fraudster is accused of conning women out of a total of over $10 million by posing as the heir to a diamond fortune.</p><p>The interior ministry spokesman, Tato Kuchava, told AFP that he has been “arrested at (the Black Sea city) Batumi’s airport at Interpol’s request,” without giving further details.</p><h2><strong>Who is Simon Leviev?</strong></h2><p>Simon Leviev, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, has been on Interpol’s international wanted list. He was featured in the 2022 Netflix documentary series ‘The Tinder Swindler’ that featured stories of his victims.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Leviev met several women between 2017 and 2019 through the online dating app Tinder and introduced himself as the heir to diamond magnate Lev Leviev. He then engaged in various fraudulent schemes and extorted money from them. </p><p>According to court records, he was convicted of theft, forgery, and fraud and managed to swindle about $10 million from his victims across Europe.</p><p>His activities came to light after investigative reports and media coverage exposed a pattern of romance fraud and financial crimes. </p><p>His scheme became one of the most notorious examples of “catfishing”, a term that refers to creating a false online persona to lure victims into emotional and financial entanglements.</p><p>Leviev reportedly deceived his victims through fake luxury lifestyles, bodyguards and private jets, which made the scam unusually convincing and costly.</p><p>Netflix has said Hayut “ultimately defrauded victims in Norway, Finland and Sweden out of an estimated $10 million.”</p><p> </p><p> </p>

The Israeli fraudster, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, is accused of conning women out of a total of over $10 million by posing as the heir to a diamond fortune.

The infamous ‘Tinder Swindler’ Simon Leviev was arrested in Georgia on Monday after Interpol issued a Red Notice for his arrest. The 35-year-old, whose notoriety was featured in Netflix’s hit, was detained at Batumi International airport, according to Georgian and Israeli media reports. The Israeli fraudster is accused of conning women out of a total of over $10 million by posing as the heir to a diamond fortune. The interior ministry spokesman, Tato Kuchava, told AFP that he has been “arrested at (the Black Sea city) Batumi’s airport at Interpol’s request,” without giving further details. Who is Simon Leviev? Simon Leviev, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, has been on Interpol’s international wanted list. He was featured in the 2022 Netflix documentary series ‘The Tinder Swindler’ that featured stories of his victims.

<p>The Israeli fraudster, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, is accused of conning women out of a total of over $10 million by posing as the heir to a diamond fortune.</p>

Who is Simon Leviev? Israeli fraudster ‘Tinder Swindler’ arrested in Georgia

<p>Finding a partner on dating apps like Tinder may go wrong. But how do you then know your partner is not a Tinder swindler, who defrauded women of millions of dollars online under the guise of a diamond magnate.&nbsp;It may calm your nerves to know that now scientists have revealed few of the classic signs you must watch out for before you decide to stop on that swipe and make that person your life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This study claims to help people spot a romance scammer and navigate dating apps safely by sharing the traits of a Tinder swindler. The bulk of the research is related to the profile of romantic fraud by creating process models to describe how the scam evolved or by examining language patterns and persuasion tactics employed while communicating with their victims.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-train-carrying-hazardous-material-derails-in-maine-due-to-track-washout-582858">US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout</a></p>

<p>These findings may be applied to enhance detection and mitigation techniques as well as provide as a starting point for training and awareness efforts.</p>

<h2><strong>So how do you spot a Tinder Swindler?</strong></h2>

<p>To avoid falling for scammers like Simon Leviev, the Netflix Tinder Swindler (actual name Shimon Hayut), experts combed through 232 documents in search of romance scam profiles and potential victims. According to the Daily Mail, the new study exhibited the characteristics of a classic Tinder Swindler.</p>

<h2><strong>1. A perfect Photo op&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>According to Dr. Lynsay A Shepherd, a researcher on the study, romantic fraud begins by giving a perfect look to your profile. Depending on the nation in which they reside, the profile of these romance scammers could differ. While Filipinos were luring others by their fictitious sales occupations, Italian profiles pretended to be real estate brokers.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-army-and-rsf-clashes-leave-27-dead-including-3-un-staffers-dozens-injured-582861">Sudan: Army and RSF clashes leave 56 civilians, dozens of fighters dead</a></p>

<h2><strong>2. Military Macho</strong></h2>

<p>Many people who engage in romance fraud put on a military garb and pose as serving their country. The reason for doing this is to project an air of dominance. With this, they control their partners' emotions. Later, they go a notch up and pretent to be unable to access their bank accounts. They do this to then request emergency cash. Once the job is done, they vanish with the money. To tangle up their partners in their vicious net, they pretend to have a medical emergency and say they need to provide for a family member.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>3.&nbsp; Sweet Wordplay</strong></h2>

<p>Swindlers know the art of wordplay. They will shower you with praises. They will even give you nicknames. Doing all this shows how much they want a partner. However, flattery enables them to win over their target before requesting payment.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | What is next in Syrian Civil War?; The rapid development of AI | This World</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>4. Demanding money&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>If in case, the women don't need flattery and they become romantically involved with a Tinder Swindler already, it is a perfect chance for romance scammers then to demand money.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>5. Targets women aged 35-54&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The study found that these scammers target women who have little expertise and a poor grasp of what is a fraud. These women are usually between the ages of 35 and 54. Dr Shepherd said it is essential to carry out research and find fresh methods for protecting people against scams.</p>

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Finding a partner on dating apps like Tinder may go wrong. But how do you then know your partner is not a Tinder swindler, who defrauded women of millions of dollars online under the guise of a diamond magnate.

Finding a partner on dating apps like Tinder may go wrong. But how do you then know your partner is not a Tinder swindler, who defrauded women of millions of dollars online under the guise of a diamond magnate. It may calm your nerves to know that now scientists have revealed few of the classic signs you must watch out for before you decide to stop on that swipe and make that person your life. This study claims to help people spot a romance scammer and navigate dating apps safely by sharing the traits of a Tinder swindler. The bulk of the research is related to the profile of romantic fraud by creating process models to describe how the scam evolved or by examining language patterns and persuasion tactics employed while communicating with their victims. Also Read | US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout These findings may be applied to enhance detection and mitigation techniques as well as provide as a starting point for training and awareness efforts. So how do you spot a Tinder Swindler? To avoid falling for scammers like Simon Leviev, the Netflix Tinder Swindler (actual name Shimon Hayut), experts combed through 232 documents in search of romance scam profiles and potential victims. According to the Daily Mail, the new study exhibited the characteristics of a classic Tinder Swindler. 1. A perfect Photo op According to Dr. Lynsay A Shepherd, a researcher on the study, romantic fraud begins by giving a perfect look to your profile. Depending on the nation in which they reside, the profile of these romance scammers could differ. While Filipinos were luring others by their fictitious sales occupations, Italian profiles pretended to be real estate brokers. Also Read | Sudan: Army and RSF clashes leave 56 civilians, dozens of fighters dead 2. Military Macho Many people who engage in romance fraud put on a military garb and pose as serving their country. The reason for doing this is to project an air of dominance. With this, they control their partners' emotions. Later, they go a notch up and pretent to be unable to access their bank accounts. They do this to then request emergency cash. Once the job is done, they vanish with the money. To tangle up their partners in their vicious net, they pretend to have a medical emergency and say they need to provide for a family member. 3. Sweet Wordplay Swindlers know the art of wordplay. They will shower you with praises. They will even give you nicknames. Doing all this shows how much they want a partner. However, flattery enables them to win over their target before requesting payment. Watch | What is next in Syrian Civil War?; The rapid development of AI | This World × 4. Demanding money If in case, the women don't need flattery and they become romantically involved with a Tinder Swindler already, it is a perfect chance for romance scammers then to demand money. 5. Targets women aged 35-54 The study found that these scammers target women who have little expertise and a poor grasp of what is a fraud. These women are usually between the ages of 35 and 54. Dr Shepherd said it is essential to carry out research and find fresh methods for protecting people against scams. 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.

Are you dating a 'Tinder swindler'? Scientists reveal these classic signs you must watch out for

<p>Tens of thousands of people are being targeted by cryptocurrency scammers that have a new target, which is dating apps.</p>

<p>Cons dubbed "romance scams" are skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic when lockdowns sent people flocking to the internet seeking a salve for isolation. So have crypto prices. That has made crypto a useful entry point for criminals looking to part victims from their savings.</p>

<p>The US Federal Trade Commission, tracking scams reported to its Consumer Sentinel Network, said 2021 saw a record $547 million stolen in romance scams. This marked a nearly 80 percent increase compared to the year before.</p>

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<p>Those figures cap an upward trend that leapt in the first year of the pandemic. People reported to the FTC losing $1.3 billion to the scams over the past five years, the most of any fraud category.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But it is just the tip of the iceberg, the FTC notes, as the vast majority of cons go unreported.</p>

<p>“Romance is a powerful hook for scammers,” said Emma Fletcher, a data researcher with the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.</p>

<p>Cryptocurrency was the top method by dollar amount that victims used to make such payments in 2021, at about $139 million. That is nearly five times the cryptocurrency amount reported in 2020 and more than 25 times that in 2019, the FTC said. In comparison, about $121 million was lost through bank transfers or payments and another $93 million through wire transfers in 2021, FTC data shows.</p>

<p>The FTC saw an increase in the frequency of romance-scam reporting across all age groups in 2021, but the most significant increase was among 18-29 year olds, said Fletcher.</p>

<p>Experts believe this particular type of scam originated in China before spreading to the US and Europe. Its Chinese name translates roughly as "pig butchering," &nbsp;a reference to the way that victims are "fattened up" with flattery and romance before being scammed.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/what-is-friend-in-need-scam-being-faced-by-whatsapp-users-428563">Also read |&nbsp;What is 'friend in need' scam being faced by WhatsApp users?</a></strong></p>

<p>Jan Santiago, the deputy director of the Global Anti-Scam Organisation, a non-profit that represents victims of online cryptocurrency scams, said that unlike typical romance scams - which generally target older, less tech-savvy adults - these scammers appear to be going after younger and more educated women on dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge.</p>

<p>"It's mostly millennials who are getting scammed," he said.</p>

<p>Jane Lee, a researcher at the online fraud-prevention firm Sift, began looking into crypto dating scams last year. She signed up for several popular dating apps and quickly matched with men who tried to offer her investing advice.</p>

<p>"People are lonely from the pandemic, and crypto is super hot right now," she said. "The combination of the two has really made this a successful scam."</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-66-year-old-man-who-married-and-conned-27-women-is-being-called-indias-tinder-swindler-455379">Also read |&nbsp;This 66-year-old man who married and conned 27 women is being called India's 'Tinder Swindler'</a></strong></p>

<p>Tim McGuinness, founder of the non-profit Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS), said numbers soared because of "the isolation, the loneliness and the utilization of the web as virtually the exclusive communication tool" during the pandemic.</p>

<p>Cancelled dates over supposedly positive Covid tests and disrupted travel plans due to lockdowns are ruses that feed into the well-worn script of romance scammers, the FTC warned.</p>

<p>While awareness is growing -- through support groups, online forums and even a recent documentary on Netflix "The Tinder Swindler" -- many still fall prey to elaborate cons spun to get into a victim's heart.</p>

<p>Scammers, many based in West Africa, will adopt fake identities, often saying they work abroad and travel a lot or are in the military -- providing ready-made excuses for why they can't meet in person.</p>

<p>A period of intense contact is followed by requests to wire money for plane tickets, visa fees, medical expenses or other emergencies -- always with the promise of paying the amount back when they are finally united.</p>

<p>The internet was already a low-cost, high-return field, but scammers, often working in teams, now hunt everywhere from Instagram to online games like Words with Friends.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Tens of thousands of people are being targeted by cryptocurrency scammers that have a new target, which is dating apps. Cons dubbed "romance scams" are skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic when lockdowns sent people flocking to the internet seeking a salve for isolation.

Tens of thousands of people are being targeted by cryptocurrency scammers that have a new target, which is dating apps. Cons dubbed "romance scams" are skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic when lockdowns sent people flocking to the internet seeking a salve for isolation. So have crypto prices. That has made crypto a useful entry point for criminals looking to part victims from their savings. The US Federal Trade Commission, tracking scams reported to its Consumer Sentinel Network, said 2021 saw a record $547 million stolen in romance scams. This marked a nearly 80 percent increase compared to the year before. Those figures cap an upward trend that leapt in the first year of the pandemic. People reported to the FTC losing $1.3 billion to the scams over the past five years, the most of any fraud category. But it is just the tip of the iceberg, the FTC notes, as the vast majority of cons go unreported. “Romance is a powerful hook for scammers,” said Emma Fletcher, a data researcher with the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. Cryptocurrency was the top method by dollar amount that victims used to make such payments in 2021, at about $139 million. That is nearly five times the cryptocurrency amount reported in 2020 and more than 25 times that in 2019, the FTC said. In comparison, about $121 million was lost through bank transfers or payments and another $93 million through wire transfers in 2021, FTC data shows. The FTC saw an increase in the frequency of romance-scam reporting across all age groups in 2021, but the most significant increase was among 18-29 year olds, said Fletcher. Experts believe this particular type of scam originated in China before spreading to the US and Europe. Its Chinese name translates roughly as "pig butchering," a reference to the way that victims are "fattened up" with flattery and romance before being scammed. Also read | What is 'friend in need' scam being faced by WhatsApp users? Jan Santiago, the deputy director of the Global Anti-Scam Organisation, a non-profit that represents victims of online cryptocurrency scams, said that unlike typical romance scams - which generally target older, less tech-savvy adults - these scammers appear to be going after younger and more educated women on dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge. "It's mostly millennials who are getting scammed," he said. Jane Lee, a researcher at the online fraud-prevention firm Sift, began looking into crypto dating scams last year. She signed up for several popular dating apps and quickly matched with men who tried to offer her investing advice. "People are lonely from the pandemic, and crypto is super hot right now," she said. "The combination of the two has really made this a successful scam." Also read | This 66-year-old man who married and conned 27 women is being called India's 'Tinder Swindler' Tim McGuinness, founder of the non-profit Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS), said numbers soared because of "the isolation, the loneliness and the utilization of the web as virtually the exclusive communication tool" during the pandemic. Cancelled dates over supposedly positive Covid tests and disrupted travel plans due to lockdowns are ruses that feed into the well-worn script of romance scammers, the FTC warned. While awareness is growing -- through support groups, online forums and even a recent documentary on Netflix "The Tinder Swindler" -- many still fall prey to elaborate cons spun to get into a victim's heart. Scammers, many based in West Africa, will adopt fake identities, often saying they work abroad and travel a lot or are in the military -- providing ready-made excuses for why they can't meet in person. A period of intense contact is followed by requests to wire money for plane tickets, visa fees, medical expenses or other emergencies -- always with the promise of paying the amount back when they are finally united. The internet was already a low-cost, high-return field, but scammers, often working in teams, now hunt everywhere from Instagram to online games like Words with Friends. (With inputs from agencies)

The price of love: Cryptocurrency scammers target dating apps

<p>The dating app Tinder will offer its users a way to check if their potential dates have been convicted of violent crimes, a feature that experts warn has limitations.</p>

<p>The app's parent company Match Group announced on Wednesday it would offer access to Garbo, an online background check platform that can reveal if a person has any history of violence.</p>

<p>When users navigate to Garbo via the Tinder app, they will have to enter the name, phone number or other details of a potential date to find out if they've been arrested, convicted or listed on the sex offender registry.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/this-american-says-falling-in-love-with-his-ai-girlfriend-saved-his-marriage-460514" hreflang="en">This American says falling in love with his AI girlfriend saved his marriage</a></strong></p>

<p>Tinder and other dating apps have been pressured to act after women claimed they were sexually assaulted by men they met on the platforms.</p>

<p>"This is just the first step in delivering on our mission to help proactively prevent harm in the digital age," Garbo founder Kathryn Kosmides said in a statement.</p>

<p>A free Garbo search would be offered for the first 500,000 searches, and thereafter an additional search would be charged a $2.50 processing fee.</p>

<p>Some offences such as possession of drugs, loitering, and vagrancy won't be listed in search results. Garbo added that personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers are not displayed.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/at-new-yorks-first-nft-atm-buying-digital-art-is-as-easy-as-buying-candy-458000" hreflang="en">At New York's first 'NFT ATM', buying digital art is as easy as buying candy</a></strong></p>

<p>The company, in a blog post, stated that the service aims to prevent violence by providing information, but stated that there are limitations.</p>

<p>"Most violent individuals never interact with the criminal justice system and Garbo does not have access to all records across the United States due to jurisdictional challenges," the post said.</p>

<p>Nicole Bedera, a researcher specializing in sexual violence, told AFP most sexual assaults are never reported to authorities, and even documented cases face significant challenges in court.</p>

<p>"It's a very under prosecuted crime. And even when cases do move through the criminal justice system -- regardless of what country you're in -- you're going to see a low conviction rate," she added.</p>

<p>The incompleteness of criminal records and racial bias are among the concerns raised by Sarah Lageson, a professor at the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Why does Tesla keep recalling cars? | Tech It Out</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-does-tesla-keep-recalling-cars-tech-it-out-450685/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Many white sexual predators do not have a criminal record and many Black people have a misleading or unfair one," she noted.</p>

<p>Garbo, for its part, acknowledged the dangers of the current era.</p>

<p>"In today's digital age, we're connecting with more strangers than ever before — yet we increasingly know less and less about who we're meeting," the company noted.</p>

<p>"What if we could proactively prevent some of the harm against ourselves and our communities?" it asked.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The dating app Tinder will offer its users a way to check if their potential dates have been convicted of violent crimes, a feature that experts warn has limitations.

The dating app Tinder will offer its users a way to check if their potential dates have been convicted of violent crimes, a feature that experts warn has limitations. The app's parent company Match Group announced on Wednesday it would offer access to Garbo, an online background check platform that can reveal if a person has any history of violence. When users navigate to Garbo via the Tinder app, they will have to enter the name, phone number or other details of a potential date to find out if they've been arrested, convicted or listed on the sex offender registry. Also read | This American says falling in love with his AI girlfriend saved his marriage Tinder and other dating apps have been pressured to act after women claimed they were sexually assaulted by men they met on the platforms. "This is just the first step in delivering on our mission to help proactively prevent harm in the digital age," Garbo founder Kathryn Kosmides said in a statement. A free Garbo search would be offered for the first 500,000 searches, and thereafter an additional search would be charged a $2.50 processing fee. Some offences such as possession of drugs, loitering, and vagrancy won't be listed in search results. Garbo added that personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers are not displayed. Also read | At New York's first 'NFT ATM', buying digital art is as easy as buying candy The company, in a blog post, stated that the service aims to prevent violence by providing information, but stated that there are limitations. "Most violent individuals never interact with the criminal justice system and Garbo does not have access to all records across the United States due to jurisdictional challenges," the post said. Nicole Bedera, a researcher specializing in sexual violence, told AFP most sexual assaults are never reported to authorities, and even documented cases face significant challenges in court. "It's a very under prosecuted crime. And even when cases do move through the criminal justice system -- regardless of what country you're in -- you're going to see a low conviction rate," she added. The incompleteness of criminal records and racial bias are among the concerns raised by Sarah Lageson, a professor at the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice. Watch | Why does Tesla keep recalling cars? | Tech It Out "Many white sexual predators do not have a criminal record and many Black people have a misleading or unfair one," she noted. Garbo, for its part, acknowledged the dangers of the current era. "In today's digital age, we're connecting with more strangers than ever before — yet we increasingly know less and less about who we're meeting," the company noted. "What if we could proactively prevent some of the harm against ourselves and our communities?" it asked. (With inputs from agencies)

Is your match a sex offender, murderer? Tinder will soon let users run free background checks on their matches

<p>Many tens of thousands of people are targeted by cons dubbed "romance scams" every year, their numbers skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic when lockdowns sent people flocking to the internet seeking a salve for isolation.</p>

<p>Ramesh Kumar Swain, who married and defrauded and married 27 women from ten different states for money is being called India's 'Tinder Swindler.'</p>

<p>The 66-year-old con man was arrested by the Odisha police while he was travelling in a car in Bhubaneswar.</p>

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<p>''Though he looked more than 60 in real life, his victims ignored it while considering his government job. Swain took full advantage of the women’s helplessness and laid elaborate traps,'' said Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner Umashankar Dash.</p>

<p>Among one of Odisha's most notorious fraudsters, Swain targeted women that were middle-aged, educated, and well-off but were coping with divorce, or had family issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/gangubai-kathiawadi-to-gehraiyaan-movies-and-shows-to-look-out-for-in-february-2022-449242">Also see |&nbsp;'Gangubai Kathiawadi' to 'Gehraiyaan': Movies and shows to look out for in February 2022</a></strong></p>

<p>Although he has has only 5 feet 2 inches tall and passed Class X, he has been accused of defrauding 13 banks in Kerala of Rs 1 crore ($1.3 million) using 128 forged credit cards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also swindled parents in Hyderabad of Rs 2 crore ($2.7 million) by promising their children seats in MBBS courses.</p>

<p>The US Federal Trade Commission, tracking scams reported to its Consumer Sentinel Network, said 2021 saw a record $547 million stolen in romance scams. This marked a nearly 80 percent increase compared to the year before.</p>

<p>Those figures cap an upward trend that leapt in the first year of the pandemic. People reported to the FTC losing $1.3 billion to the scams over the past five years, the most of any fraud category.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But it is just the tip of the iceberg, the FTC notes, as the vast majority of cons go unreported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-origin-husband-forged-wifes-signature-for-divorce-she-remained-unaware-about-it-for-12-years-455103" hreflang="en">Indian-origin husband forged wife's signature for divorce; she remained unaware about it for 12 years</a></strong></p>

<p>Tim McGuinness, founder of the non-profit Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS), said numbers soared because of "the isolation, the loneliness and the utilisation of the web as virtually the exclusive communication tool" during the pandemic.</p>

<p><strong>Covid offers new ruses</strong></p>

<p>Cancelled dates over supposedly positive Covid tests and disrupted travel plans due to lockdowns are ruses that feed into the well-worn script of romance scammers, the FTC warned.</p>

<p>While awareness is growing, through support groups, online forums and even a recent documentary on Netflix "The Tinder Swindler," many still fall prey to elaborate cons spun to get into a victim's heart.</p>

<p>Scammers, many based in West Africa, will adopt fake identities, often saying they work abroad and travel a lot or are in the military,&nbsp;providing ready-made excuses for why they can't meet in person.</p>

<p>A period of intense contact is followed by requests to wire money for plane tickets, visa fees, medical expenses or other emergencies,&nbsp;always with the promise of paying the amount back when they are finally united.</p>

<p>The internet was already a low-cost, high-return field, but scammers, often working in teams, now hunt everywhere from Instagram to online games like Words with Friends.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Many tens of thousands of people are targeted by cons dubbed "romance scams" every year, their numbers skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic when lockdowns sent people flocking to the internet seeking a salve for isolation.

Many tens of thousands of people are targeted by cons dubbed "romance scams" every year, their numbers skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic when lockdowns sent people flocking to the internet seeking a salve for isolation. Ramesh Kumar Swain, who married and defrauded and married 27 women from ten different states for money is being called India's 'Tinder Swindler.' The 66-year-old con man was arrested by the Odisha police while he was travelling in a car in Bhubaneswar. ''Though he looked more than 60 in real life, his victims ignored it while considering his government job. Swain took full advantage of the women’s helplessness and laid elaborate traps,'' said Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner Umashankar Dash. Among one of Odisha's most notorious fraudsters, Swain targeted women that were middle-aged, educated, and well-off but were coping with divorce, or had family issues. Also see | 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' to 'Gehraiyaan': Movies and shows to look out for in February 2022 Although he has has only 5 feet 2 inches tall and passed Class X, he has been accused of defrauding 13 banks in Kerala of Rs 1 crore ($1.3 million) using 128 forged credit cards. He also swindled parents in Hyderabad of Rs 2 crore ($2.7 million) by promising their children seats in MBBS courses. The US Federal Trade Commission, tracking scams reported to its Consumer Sentinel Network, said 2021 saw a record $547 million stolen in romance scams. This marked a nearly 80 percent increase compared to the year before. Those figures cap an upward trend that leapt in the first year of the pandemic. People reported to the FTC losing $1.3 billion to the scams over the past five years, the most of any fraud category. But it is just the tip of the iceberg, the FTC notes, as the vast majority of cons go unreported. Also read | Indian-origin husband forged wife's signature for divorce; she remained unaware about it for 12 years Tim McGuinness, founder of the non-profit Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams (SCARS), said numbers soared because of "the isolation, the loneliness and the utilisation of the web as virtually the exclusive communication tool" during the pandemic. Covid offers new ruses Cancelled dates over supposedly positive Covid tests and disrupted travel plans due to lockdowns are ruses that feed into the well-worn script of romance scammers, the FTC warned. While awareness is growing, through support groups, online forums and even a recent documentary on Netflix "The Tinder Swindler," many still fall prey to elaborate cons spun to get into a victim's heart. Scammers, many based in West Africa, will adopt fake identities, often saying they work abroad and travel a lot or are in the military, providing ready-made excuses for why they can't meet in person. A period of intense contact is followed by requests to wire money for plane tickets, visa fees, medical expenses or other emergencies, always with the promise of paying the amount back when they are finally united. The internet was already a low-cost, high-return field, but scammers, often working in teams, now hunt everywhere from Instagram to online games like Words with Friends. (With inputs from agencies)

This 66-year-old man who married and conned 27 women is being called India's 'Tinder Swindler'

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This 66-year-old man who married and conned 27 women is being called India's 'Tinder Swindler'