Minsk Woman Loses 11,000 Rubles in Online Romance Scam

In Minsk, a 57-year-old woman fell victim to a sophisticated online romance scam. The perpetrator, posing as a Somalian orthopedist named Richard, met her on a social media platform. Their online relationship quickly escalated, with Richard professing his love and promising to move to Belarus. However, he claimed his bank accounts were frozen, requesting financial assistance. The woman, believing his story, took out a loan of 11,000 Belarusian rubles to cover his travel expenses. After receiving the money, Richard sent a picture of himself on a plane, seemingly en route to Minsk. Days later, he contacted her again, claiming he was hospitalized due to a terrorist attack on the flight. He then demanded more money for medical treatment. Suspicious, the woman reported the incident to the police. A police spokesperson stated, "This case highlights the dangers of online interactions with strangers. We urge people to exercise caution and verify the identities of those they meet online." The investigation is ongoing.