Internet scam ring nabbed for defrauding 31 women

Police in Seoul on Thursday, reported that a total of 12 foreign nationals have been arrested on charges of defrauding female victims in internet romance schemes.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) the suspects are accused of a wire fraud of 3.7 billion won (US$2.8 million) in total against 31 victims between November 2021 and October.

The police said the suspects adopted various fake online identities to gain the victims’ trust and eventually establish a relationship with them online.

On one occasion, the scammers allegedly posed as American doctors or soldiers dispatched to Ukraine to manipulate the vulnerable victims, mostly middle-aged women, the police said.

Once the suspect ingratiated themselves with the women, they then allegedly concocted stories about why they needed money and asked for it, the SMPA said.

SMPA also alleged that the suspects were part of a scam ring based in African nations including Nigeria and Mali.