The scammers start by stealing a photo from an internet site.

They prefer to use images of white people capitalising on stereotypes and perceptions.

The rationale is that this type of person is likely to be more desperate, gullible and financially stable.

They then post ads with fake profiles on online dating sites .

They are offering the chance of finding true love and happiness, and there are plenty of takers!

He claimed he was from Florida, a widower, have a 15-year-old daughter, working on a contract with United … Mcall Instagram Oil Rig Scam Gulf of Mexico So this guy requested to follow me on Instagram. Larry douglas James Owen Cole Morrison John Campbell All these scammers want money within two weeks. Red flags - wanted off Zoosk asap; was very formal in letters; … Mauro Kovac ricardo, Kovac Mauo Kovac - Hungarian scammer Mauro Kovac, the name he gave, was on a dating site called Zoosk and said he lived in Dallas, Texas, had two kids, and divorced. Charles Moffatt, Aurora Springs CO, Atlanta GA, and FL His backstory: Born in Switzerland.They often pretend to be foreign specialists [from the US, UK or Canada, but can be any European country]temporarily working in Nigeria or other African country.A slight twist is is when the scammer pretends to live in the same country as the victim, and once a relationship has developed, then advise they are required to go to a west African country on an assignment.Often the scammers use attractive female photo profiles because lots of men will respond to an attractive woman's personal ad based on the photo alone.They also tend to target middle-aged people looking for stable relationships.