After Anne, who sincerely thought of forming a couple with Brad Pitt, here is Caroline (new victim of a grazer) who thought to converse with Leonardo DiCaprio. This Rotterdam resident would have unfortunately lost all her savings in the scam.
Love Bombing and Interests Common at the start
As the media relates Hln A few days ago, it started with an Instagram message… sent by the so -called famous actor to congratulate Caroline for her action for the planet. The Dutchman was indeed posting stories in which she cleaned the streets of her city. The woman is not a big fan of the actor, but she admires her commitment to the environment. So why not exchange? There follows from exchanges which become daily, in which “Leo” is full of praise. Then come the secrets: this poor Leo is mistreated by his mannequin companion (of the moment), and a more intimate relationship by messages is emerging. A love bombing to which the victim succumbs.
A trap that closes
It is only then, once the woman is closed in this lie, that the requests for money come. The actor, who always has a good excuse to refuse videos, evokes a need for money to help an orphanage in Nigeria. This requires going through the purchase of gift card, to transform this into bitcoins. In the end, Caroline gradually spends 5,000 euros (all her savings). And puts a handmade brake in order when his interlocutor now wants the codes of his payment card. But the case does not stop there. Caroline is threatened: in her pseudo story, she also sent intimate photos to the false actor … who wants to extract more money. She also knows that all of her personal data is now sold on Darkweb.
This is why, despite the numerous criticisms received, like Anne, by the public, she is today to prevent potential other victims.
Speed scams: an emotional trap that targets the most fragile
Caroline, Anne…. You seem unconscious, even completely naive? And could you never be fooled? However, they are far from isolated cases. In 2024 in France, no less than 12,000 sentimental scams were reportedly reported. The amounts extorted are often less than in other frauds, but these emotional manipulations are nonetheless deeply malicious. According to the government site cybermalvence.gouv.fr, this form of scam consists for the crook to establish an emotional relationship in the long run, in order to establish confidence … and to extract money. To achieve this, he is ready to say exactly what the victim wishes to hear.
A process that works particularly well on certain profiles, as explained by clinical psychologist Johanna Rozenblum in our previous article:
“”People who fall victims of online sentimental scams often have a certain loneliness or a need for affection, especially if they go through a period of emotional fragility such as mourning, separation, difficulties in their couple or at work “.
These scams frequently target mature women, often isolated, but no one is truly sheltered: all ages and all environments can be affected.
“”These sometimes seek a sincere connection and trust individuals who exploit this vulnerability by being attentive and flattering. The crooks play on their emotions, creating credible stories to justify requests for money, and take advantage of the idealization of romantic love or the lack of mistrust towards online encounters “.
How to protect yourself from “grazers”?
Faced with these practices, Johanna Rozenblum insisted on the importance of constant vigilance and a sharp critical spirit. Even – and above all – when you are looking for love, certain precautions must remain uncompromising:
- Never share personal or banking information with someone you have never met physically;
- Beware of too perfect profiles or rapid romantic statements, especially when the relationship starts online;
- Raise inconsistencies in the words and, if possible, carry out a search for inverted images from the photos of the profile;
- Never send money, regardless of the reason or urgency invoked;
- Talk about the relationship to loved ones to benefit from an external opinion;
- Learn to identify the characteristic signs of a scam, as the repeated impossibility of meeting the person or complicated stories justifying a need for money.
“In short, when you are in a situation of psychic fragility, it must be remembered that care, help and comfort are rarely found through a virtual relationship.”
And if doubt settles, the specialist is clear: “If you have any doubt, block and report the profile to the platform concerned”.
What if you think you are a victim?
If you have the feeling of having been trapped, here are the procedures recommended by the authorities:
- Immediately cut all contact with the person, even if they try to intimidate you;
- Keep all evidence: messages, photos, exchanges, etc. ;
- File a complaint by providing the elements harvested;
- Report the profile to the site or the application on which you have been approached;
- If you have transmitted bank data, warn your bank without delay and monitor your accounts.
Finally, for any advice or support, you can reach the platform Scam from the Ministry of the Interior to 0 805 805 817 (Call and free service).