Watch out for a fake account!

Beware, there is a fake account active!

An alert individual warned us this evening that a fake profile is active, posing as an employee of Society Service and asking for a deposit. In this blog, we are warning you about this.

On the dating website (in this case FindeDates.com), you are approached by an attractive lady. This evening, it happened from the profile "Shericeo", but a new profile can easily be created. You could also be contacted from another profile.

In the message on the dating website, you are asked to continue the conversation via Whatsapp on another mobile number. In this case, the numbers are +31637853122 and +31645106172. Note: these numbers can easily be replaced with another mobile number.

The conversation typically goes like this: someone pretends to be an employee of Society Service and offers an attractive escort at an exceptionally low rate. You are asked for a deposit, often via a payment request. In this instance, the payment request is made through a Rabobank account in the name of "Taptap Send EU", but another account may also be used.

In reality, you are not in contact with Society Service but with a fraudster whose sole aim is your money. They exploit your desire to quickly and affordably set up an appointment, and through courteous language, they gain your trust and encourage you to make a financial transaction.

How can you prevent this, and what should you do if you fall for it?

If you have become a victim of this scam, it is very important to immediately file a report with the police. Also report to the Fraud Helpdesk, the fraudster's bank and your bank if you made a payment. Don't be ashamed, this can happen to anyone. Filing a report increases the chances of the fraudster being tracked down and can also help protect future victims. Keep all correspondence, payment proofs, and any screenshots of Whatsapp messages as evidence.

We also have a few preventive tips:

• Be critical of offers that seem too good to be true.
• Verify the identity of the contact person through the official channels of the company you believe you are dealing with.
• Do not share personal information with parties you have not verified.
• Do not share financial details with parties you do not fully trust.

We have also previously explained how you can determine whether you are dealing with a reliable escort service to further protect yourself. We wish you much success and wisdom!