This is how the scam works. Anna will find a prey (hereinto referred to as the subject of the scam or SOS for short) through one of the online dating sites. Once an online relationship is established with the SOS via daily e-mails/and occasional phone calls (all along claiming she is a graduate student working towards her masters, and that her Masters program will start soon, thereby allowing her only a limited time frame to meet up in person).
She would then express an ever increasing interest in a face to face meeting with the SOS as the SOS happens to be exactly her type. Since Anna is not a UK citizen, the SOS is told that she would need to purchase her ticket through her work place and apply for a US Visa. She claims that she has done that before and is quite familiar with the process which should take no more than three days to obtain a visa.
She will claim that the SOS not need to help Anna as she doesn't feel comfortable at first asking for any money from him (and of course this is all to gain the SOS's trust for the bigger pay off) She will then make the SOS believe that she had already asked all her relatives including sister and parents and friends, sister, or her parents for the money for the ticket, but none could come up with the money in such short notice.
The SOS by then would hopefully sympathizes enough to lend her the money for the purchase of the ticket. Of course she will pretend that the SOS will get the money back in full once she has the money from parents/etc. She will claim that she has already purchased the ticket and is applying for the visa and everything is exactly as per plan. Then comes the next step in the scam: Here is the exact copy of letter that has followed from Anna at this point:
i came back from the embassy got a little problem; they need to see that i have enough money during, while in USA. the visa it is done and everything it is fine..they just have that rules.
i need to show them 900 British pounds and they will give me the visa; they will not keep the money. my sister cannot help me in that short time. i was thinking if u can wire it and i will wire it back in one hour or less. cause i just have to show them. let me know sweetie and i will send u the money back as soon as i will show them. i can't wait to see u. i need to show them by Friday; here is the embassy website where u can see that http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html
Since the story gets a little far fetched at this point, the SOS most likely would check the aforementioned website, only to find out that there indeed is a overseas travel law requiring proof of financial support while in the foreign country. This provides some sort of validity to the scam artists storyline; If the requested money is sent, here is the exact copy of the next letter received from Anna (from exact copy of the e-mail)
i am so sorry and ashame to tell u what happend.. when i was about to go at the embassy i met the owner of the apartment where i live and she told me thats she found out that i will leave the apart and i need to give her the rent..i told her i am going to pay the next week when my mom will send me the money but she didnt understood..she said that i am not coming back..honey i am really sorry i had to give her a part of the money u sent..and couldnt go at the embassy..i will have to go at the embassy and still need 600 gbp:(
i am so sorry honey..i feel so ashame to ask u that..tell me if u can help me.and u will have the money back today when i finish it.
And this will continue on and on until the SOS realizes that he has been the subject of a scam. I suspect Anna is pulling this scam on many people and sincerely hope that this letter will for warn and save the next prey from getting suckered into her scheme.
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