Woman in Her 70s Nearly Sends Millions to 'US Soldier Boyfriend'... Police Persuade Her After 3 Hours

Posing as a U.S. Soldier, Scammer Demands Money for Marriage and Travel Expenses
Bank Staff Report and Police Persuasion Prevent Financial Loss

Police officers and bank staff prevented a woman in her 70s from transferring a large sum of money after she fell victim to a "romance scam" and attempted to send the funds.

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According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Mobile Patrol Unit on September 14, police responded to a report from a bank employee who suspected that a woman in her 70s, identified as Ms. A, was a victim of fraud while attempting to make an overseas transfer at a bank in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, around 9 a.m. on September 8.

Ms. A had recently received messages on a social networking service from someone claiming to be a U.S. soldier about to retire. The individual repeatedly requested money, saying things like, "I want to come to Korea to get married," and "I need money for shipping and travel expenses." Living alone, Ms. A was deceived by these messages and attempted to transfer 27 million won, but was stopped at the bank counter.

When police arrived in response to the report, they confirmed that Ms. A was indeed a victim of a romance scam. However, Ms. A was reluctant to believe it, saying, "Why are you stopping me from sending my money to my boyfriend?" The police then spent about three hours explaining actual cases and the methods used in such crimes, and ultimately succeeded in persuading her not to send the money.

A "romance scam" is a type of fraud in which the perpetrator builds a relationship of trust with the victim through prolonged online conversations and then steals money under the pretense of investments, shipping fees, or travel expenses.

An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "Thanks to proactive foot patrols and maintaining a close cooperation system with financial institutions, we were able to prevent the damage at an early stage." The official also warned, "There are cases where scammers impersonate foreigners to build relationships and trust, then induce investments or request payments for shipping and other expenses. Please be cautious."