New York Online Romance Fraud

Scammers convince victims to invest in seemingly legitimate cryptocurrency platforms. These platforms are often fabricated or controlled by the scammer, resulting in irreversible losses once money is transferred.

Offenders request gift cards or prepaid SIM cards under the pretense of urgent needs, promising repayment. Once the victim provides card numbers or uploads receipts, the fraudster disappears.

A prevalent method involves using stolen photos or identities to build emotional relationships online. Victims are drawn into conversations that lead to financial “help” requests, often justified by health emergencies or business crises.

In this variation, scammers pose as foreign-deployed U.S. military personnel, claiming to need money for leave requests, medical services, or parcel delivery. The story exploits unfamiliarity with military procedures to sound plausible.

Fraudsters lure victims into transferring “points” or in-app currency from dating applications. They create fake exchange sites requiring repeated service fees, each framed as necessary to unlock the previous “investment.”

• New York Penal Law § 155.30 (Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree): Applies when the value stolen exceeds $1,000, punishable by up to 4 years in prison.
• Penal Law § 190.65 (Scheme to Defraud): Covers recurring deceptive practices involving more than one person. Class D felony with up to 7 years imprisonment.
• Penal Law § 190.77–81 (Identity Theft): If impersonation was involved, especially using forged documentation or third-party IDs.
• Penal Law § 105.05 (Conspiracy): If multiple offenders are involved in a structured pattern of fraud, organized crime statutes may apply.

Once suspicion arises, cease all communication. Do not provide additional personal or financial information, even under emotional pressure.

Victims should promptly file a complaint with the New York Police Department (NYPD) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, contact your bank to request transaction reversal or account freezing.

Retain screenshots of messages, social media profiles, payment receipts, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and emails. These serve as critical evidence in fraud investigations.