What warning signs did the woman miss in the online romance scam?

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The Woman Missed Multiple Red Flags in an Online Romance Scam

A 28-year-old woman lost RM418,400 of her mother's savings after falling victim to an online romance scam. She met the scammer on the CINTAKU application on December 22, where he claimed to be a French-based Malay businessman. Despite never meeting him in person, she exchanged contact information, including her bank account number. The scam progressed when the man sent a photograph of a cheque via WhatsApp, followed by an email stating she was due to receive RM89,700 through a foreign remittance.
Request for Upfront Payment for Remittance

A significant warning sign was the request for an upfront payment of RM2,000 before the purported foreign remittance could be credited to her account. This is a common tactic in remittance scams, where victims are led to believe a large sum of money is forthcoming, but are then asked to pay fees, taxes, or processing charges to release the funds. The scammer exploited the victim's expectation of receiving a large sum by creating a barrier that required an immediate financial outlay.
Unusual Communication Methods and Unrealistic Promises

The communication methods employed also presented red flags. Exchanging phone numbers and then receiving cheque images via WhatsApp, coupled with emails about foreign remittances, deviate from standard banking and legitimate business practices. Furthermore, the initial promise of gifts and cash, symbolising love, followed by an unexpectedly large remittance amount of RM89,700, should have raised suspicion. Legitimate business transactions or gift exchanges typically do not involve such convoluted processes or disproportionate sums communicated through informal channels.
Repeated Money Transfers and Evolving Demands

The scam escalated as the woman was persuaded to make a total of 44 money transfer transactions to nine different accounts, totalling RM418,400. The scammer continuously invented various reasons related to the cash gift, prompting further payments. This pattern of escalating financial demands, often accompanied by a sense of urgency or a promise of an even larger reward, is characteristic of many fraudulent schemes. The fact that she continued to transfer money across multiple accounts over an extended period, without verifying the legitimacy of the initial claims, indicates a lack of critical assessment of the situation.

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What warning signs did the woman miss in the online romance scam?

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