Man Loses Thousands Of Dollars To Online 'Girlfriend' In Nigeria

[matcom]

:rofl:



<snip>

WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- A West Allis man lost thousands of dollars before WISN 12 News was able to uncover the truth behind a dating trap that originated halfway around the world.

<snip>

"I heard a lot about Web sites and stuff, and I just wanted to try one once, so I figured why not?" online dating victim Dale Bell said.

"When I found her, she was actually the one that I never thought in my life would ever e-mail me back, and she was the first," Bell said.

Her name is Oladele, a former New Yorker who lived in Nigeria. She sent these pictures to Bell along with several months' worth of romantic e-mails.

That was when Bell started sending something to her.

"$162, $318, $954. What was that for?" WISN 12 News investigative reporter Wainscott asked.

"At first, she said she only needed $700, I figured OK I'll send you the plane ticket," Bell said. "And then, she e-mailed me back, and the airport told her that she needed the basic traveling allowance, the BTA, which was $450."

She kept asking for cash, and he kept sending it, on the promise that Oladele was coming to Milwaukee to be with him. She would even call him and leave phone messages.

Soon, Bell had sent more than $3,000 to the woman he never met, and there was still no sign of her.

"She was supposed to be here now, four days ago now, and still has never shown up. So she got away with getting about $3,000 from me," Bell said.

He became suspicious of the photos of the woman he thought he was falling in love with.

<snip>

WISN 12 News has found that the photos supposedly of Bell's love match, Oladele, are actually of a Hawaiian model named Nicole.

http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/7542359/detail.html

[Deja Q]

1. Now don't tell me what that big "S" on his shirt stands for...

:rofl:

[JVS]

7. "Sucker"

[Deja Q]

9. Well, that's one... of many.

:rofl:

[Hugin]

2. Oh, this is a scam?

I thought it was SOP.

[XemaSab]

3. I heard a lot about Web sites and stuff...

Dude, there's one born every minute....

[eyesroll]

4. Lots of Matcom News fodder from the Milwaukee area today...

This looks like an Onion story -- complete with Onionesque photo.

[DS1]

8. Local Bassist Not Fellated

to cop an old Onion Headline

[johnnie]

14. Yeah but

The guy in the picture is most likely a drummer.

[RebelOne]

5. This happens so often.

It's amazing how gullible some people can be. You would think that her being in Nigeria would set off an alarm.

[WeRQ4U]

6. As a general rule, I avoid anything involving Nigeria.

It seems as though that is the ficitious country of choice for many an internet scam.

[JVS]

10. Well at least he still has his great hair. He should be able to pick up..

lots of chicks without sending money to Nigeria.

[Hugin]

11. It's the quality of his car which concerns me...

Apparently it's too small or something.

[JVS]

12. LOL. I've heard rumors of unpleasant odors in the car

experts tell me that occasional farting has been known to happen in the car

[johnnie]

13. .

:rofl:

Poor guy...LOL

It amazes me that people are still getting scammed online.

Maybe I should send him this:

BRITISH AMERICAN ONLINE LOTTERY COMMISSION:
CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT.
*******************************************
REGENT'S PARK,LONDON NW1 4NS,UNITED KINGDOM
*******************************************
Ref: BAOL/19823108/05/DON
Batch: 23/012/4774

Attn: Winner

We are pleased to announce to you the draw of the British American
Online
Lottery International programs held on the 21St of February 2006
(21/02/2006)
in London. Your e-mail address attached to the following numbers listed
below:

Ticket number: 2314759773 914
Serial Number: 19445/02
Drew the Lucky Numbers: 00-7-50-1600-01

[hippiechick]

15. Wow, if he's that stupid, give him my URL please !!

:evilgrin: I could use a few thousand right about now ...

[Hugin]

16. Small unmarked bills

Or would you take a check?

[hippiechick]

18. Moneygram to the 7-11 in Juarez ...

:evilgrin:

[Hugin]

17. I hate to think how many pizzas he had to deliver to save up $3,000.

[redqueen]

19. So sad...

Isn't it sad that one of the easiest ways to take advantage of people is by conning them into believing that you like them?

So sad...

[SOteric]

20. Matcom honey, does this mean you're not sending me that $200?

'Cuz I really, really need it. I haven't had foie gras in almost 3 weeeks.