Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

getting caught in a romance scam could cost you your life

  • Written by Cassandra Cross, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Queensland University of Technology
getting caught in a romance scam could cost you your life

When Sydney grandmother Maria Exposto was last week sentenced to death by a Malaysian court for drug trafficking, she wasn’t the first Australian to be caught overseas with drugs, or to face the death penalty as a result.

What is both unique and troubling about the 57-year-old’s case is that she is the first known Australian to be handed the death penalty as a result of romance scam.

The Australian and Competition Consumer Commission’s Targeting Scams report, also out last week, revealed that A$42 million was reportedly lost to romance fraud by Australian victims in 2017.

Read more: A record $340 million lost to fraud in Australia, says latest ACCC report

But Maria Exposto’s case shows that the consequences of romance fraud are not just financial. It could cost you your life.

Maria’s case

Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto was arrested in Kuala Lumpur Airport in 2014, with more than 1kg of crystal methamphetamine sewn into her suitcase. Throughout her arrest and subsequent court case, she maintained that she was the victim of romance fraud.

The original 2017 court decision regarding Maria’s case was significant. She was found not guilty of drug trafficking charges, the judge Dato Ghazali accepting that she had been duped into carrying drugs by her online boyfriend.

The judge reportedly accepted that Maria had been groomed for more than two years by a man online claiming to be in the US military. Her trip through Malaysia was the result of his request to pick up a bag and travel with it from Shanghai to Melbourne.

This was the first time that a judge had recognised romance fraud as a mitigating factor in favour of the accused, and delivered a not guilty verdict.

But on appeal last week, this original ruling was overturned. Maria was found guilty of drug trafficking and will now face death by hanging. Her lawyers are said to be considering a new appeal.

Not the only one

Sadly, Maria is not the only victim to be held in an overseas jail as a consequence of falling victim to romance fraud. There are many others who have reportedly faced similar circumstances.

  • Fellow Australian John Warwick, aged 64, died in a Chinese police hospital in 2015, awaiting trial for charges related to the carrying of 1.9kg of methamphetamine.

  • New Zealand woman Sharon Armstrong spent two and a half years in an Argentinean prison after being arrested at Buenos Aires Airport in 2011 with more than 5kg of cocaine.

  • British professor Paul Frampton was arrested in 2012 at Buenos Aires Airport with 2kg of cocaine. He was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in prison.

In each case, the scenario is identical. Each of the accused was involved with a partner they had met online. Each was travelling at the request of their partner. Each had accepted a suitcase from their partner (or partner’s associate), which had drugs sewn into the lining.

Changing the narrative

For too long, victims of romance fraud have been dismissed as foolish, naïve and responsible for their own victimisation. The severity of the impacts and consequences of romance fraud are ignored. The role of the offender in all of this is invisible and therefore absent.

There is evidence to suggest that romance fraud offenders are using psychological abuse and coercive control techniques established in the domestic violence literature to perpetrate these offences. They are highly skilled individuals who use every means possible to deceive, manipulate and exploit victims.

For most victims, this means the loss of money. But for others it is far more serious and can also pose a risk to their physical safety. Victims can often be persuaded to travel overseas to meet with their partner, as demonstrated above.

Apart from potential exploitation as a drug mule, it can also expose them to kidnapping, ransom and extortion.

In the tragic case of Western Australian grandmother Jette Jacobs, it resulted in her death, allegedly murdered by her online lover Jesse Orowo Omokoh, who had defrauded her of more than A$90,000.

A dark future

The statistics on romance fraud are staggering. Importantly, they are not declining, with the ACCC also reporting that A$42 million was lost to romance fraud in 2016.

Behind each statistic is a person: a mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, friend or colleague. Each one of them could have been facing the same situation as Maria. We need to shift the discussion of romance fraud away from the allure of victim culpability.

Instead, we need to acknowledge it for what it is: a serious crime that poses severe, ongoing and potentially deadly consequences to thousands of Australians, perpetrated by highly skilled, expert offenders.

Read more: The abuse tactics fraudsters use to break the hearts and wallets of those looking online for love

Romance fraud is about more than just financial losses. It is also more than just the loss of a relationship. Instead, romance fraud can mean the loss of freedom for those who are unwittingly caught up in criminal justice systems across the globe.

Tragically, in the case of Maria Exposto, it could result in the loss of her life.

How many more lives need to be affected before we decide that romance fraud is a serious problem worthy of our attention?

Tips for avoiding romance fraud (adapted from Scamwatch)

  • Never send money to someone that you have met online

  • Never agree to carry packages, or accept suitcases or bags from someone you have met online

  • Always assume that the person you are communicating with may not be genuine

  • Consider carefully any requests to travel (domestically or overseas) to meet someone you have met online. Seek advice from family and friends and study any warnings on Smartraveller

  • If you have any concerns or suspicions about someone you have met online, talk to a family member or friend, or contact authorities. Don’t feel pressured to respond in the moment.

If you have been the victim of romance fraud, you can report or seek assistance via the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN), Scamwatch, or iDcare.

If you need to talk to someone as a result of romance fraud, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Authors: Cassandra Cross, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Queensland University of Technology

Read more http://theconversation.com/more-than-just-money-getting-caught-in-a-romance-scam-could-cost-you-your-life-97258

How To Keep Vase Flowers Fresh Through Australia’s Coldest Months

Winter flowers develop slowly, which gives them stronger structure and longer vase life Heat from indoor environments is the biggest threat to th...

Artificial Intelligence is Powering the Growth of Australian Telehealth Services

Many Australians have traditionally experienced difficulties in accessing timely and quality healthcare, especially those who live in rural or remot...

Powering Shepparton’s Businesses: Expert Commercial Electrical Services You Can Count On

When it comes to running a successful business, having reliable, compliant, and efficient electrical systems is non-negotiable. From small retail ou...

Maximise Efficiency: Cleaner Solar Panels for Optimal Performance

Solar panels are a smart investment in energy efficiency, sustainability, and long-term savings—especially here in Cairns, where the tropical sun ...

7 Common Air Conditioner Issues in Melbourne – And How to Fix Them

Image by freepik Living in Melbourne, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be. One moment it’s cold and windy, the next it’s a scorchin...

Powering Palm QLD with Reliable Electrical Solutions

Image by pvproductions on Freepik When it comes to finding a trustworthy electrician Palm QLD locals can count on, the team at East Coast Sparkies s...

The Smart Way to Grow Online: SEO Management Sydney Businesses Can Rely On

If you’re a Sydney-based business owner, you already know the digital space is crowded. But with the right strategy, you don’t need to shout the...

What Your Car Says About You: The Personality Behind the Vehicle

You can tell a lot about someone by the car they drive—or at least, that’s what people think. True Blue Mobile Mechanics reckon the car says a l...

The Confidence Curve: Why Boudoir Photography Is the Empowerment Trend You Didn’t Know You Needed

Boudoir photography has been quietly taking over social feeds, Pinterest boards, and personal milestones—and for good reason. It’s not just abou...

Understanding Level 2 Electricians: Why Sydney Residents Need Licenced Experts for Complex Electrical Work

When it comes to electrical work around the home or business, not all electricians are created equal. In Sydney, particularly when you're dealing wi...

Retirement Anchored in Model Boat Building for Waterford’s Doug Unsold

WATERFORD — When Doug Unsold sees his ship come in, it’s usually one he’s crafted with his own hands. The 67-year-old retiree from Waterford ...

The Science Behind Alarm Clocks and Your Circadian Rhythm

Waking up on time isn’t just about setting an alarm—it’s about working with your body, not against it. At the heart of every restful night and...

How to Use Plants to Create a Calming Atmosphere in Your Home

In today’s fast-paced world, cultivating a calm, soothing environment at home has never been more important. Whether you live in a busy urban apar...

How Maths Tutoring Can Help Students Master Maths

Mathematics can be a daunting subject for many students, often causing stress and frustration. However, maths tutoring has proven to be an effective...

Refurbished iPads Are Better Than New Ones (Here's Why)

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Apple's refurbished iPad program has quietly become one of the best deals in tech. While everyone obsesses over the ...

Your Guide to Finding the Right GP: What Perth City Doctors Offer Today

Choosing a General Practitioner (GP) is one of the most important health decisions you’ll make. Luckily, Perth’s vibrant CBD now hosts a new ge...

Why Every Mining Operation Needs a Robust Safety Management System

Mining is one of the backbones of the Australian economy, particularly in Western Australia. Back in 2019-20, mining contributed 10.4% of Australiaâ...

Australian Classic Literature Enjoys Resurgence

Welcome back to the good old days of storytelling! As the modern world becomes increasingly more demanding, returning to childhood favourites offers...