A Moscow-based woman lost 2.8 million rubles after engaging with an individual described as an “Italian.” This incident was reported by Life, citing the events that unfolded in the city. The account began when a Russian woman met a man on a dating app. According to his companion, the man is a foreigner who has been residing in Moscow for two years. He refused to participate in video calls, which should have been a warning sign to anyone paying close attention to the red flags that often accompany online romance scams.
Over time, the man claimed that his wealth came from cryptocurrency investments and proposed that the woman could also generate passive income in the same manner. Trusting the person and seeking financial security, the 40-year-old woman agreed to take a loan of 1.8 million rubles and registered on a suggested investment portal advised by her new acquaintance. The narrative followed a pattern familiar to many scams: the promise of fast, easy gains paired with a trusted yet unverified online partner.
After the loan was secured and funds were transferred, the supposed earnings on the platform were never realized. Instead, withdrawal attempts were blocked by a demand for additional “tax” payments, a common tactic used in such schemes to drain victims further. The scammer then claimed that his own account had been frozen and that all messages between them had been erased, effectively severing any means of recourse for the victim.
The woman contacted the police, and law enforcement authorities have issued efforts to locate the fraudster. This case underscores the risks associated with online dating, especially when money and investment opportunities are involved. In many similar cases, victims are drawn in by the combination of personal connection and plausible financial incentives, only to encounter coercive demands and opaque platforms that prevent legitimate access to their funds.
Earlier reports describe another instance involving a former public official in the Tyumen region who transferred 19.8 million rubles to scammers. The recurring pattern across these stories highlights how trust, fear of loss, and social engineering tactics can push individuals to make hasty financial decisions with serious consequences. The broader takeaway is clear: independent verification, prudent skepticism about investment schemes pitched through intimate online conversations, and timely reporting to authorities are essential steps to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim in similar scenarios. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing personal romance with high-stakes financial promises—particularly when the other party insists on missing key verification steps or insists on immediate, irreversible actions for fear of losing a purported opportunity.