The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office recently issued a warning about an online dating scam involving a profile under the name James Admiral Wade. This individual has been accused of scamming a woman out of approximately $300,000. According to the sheriff’s office, nearly half of the scams reported to them originate from online dating sites or apps.
Chief Deputy Calvin Turner from the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office highlighted the vulnerability of those who are lonely or seeking companionship online. "Unfortunately, people lose loved ones, are lonely, and a person shows interest, and that’s who’s probably more vulnerable than others," Turner explained.
To protect yourself from such scams, Turner advised never to share personal information and to be cautious if asked to purchase and wire money through retailers like Walgreens or Walmart. "If they ask you to go to Walgreens, Walmart, and wire money, get a card, and give them the number off of that card, that’s a red flag," he said.
Scammers are skilled and do not discriminate based on age or background. Once the money is gone, recovering it is extremely difficult. "They’re very good at what they do. When scams first started taking place, it was more targeted toward the elderly, but now it’s anybody and everybody," Turner noted. "Unfortunately, it’s very hard to solve; very hard to make an arrest. It’s very, very hard to ever recover any money."
While this is the first complaint the sheriff’s office has received about Wade, they have confirmed that this isn’t the first time he has convinced people to send him money.
In light of these warnings, if you're looking to enjoy an evening with someone special, remember to choose wisely and ensure your safety. If you’re interested in dating someone like "this night girl in Paris," be cautious and verify their authenticity to avoid falling prey to scams.