Brazilian Wife Scams - Beware.
Internet romance has become one of the most popular ways to meet a future partner or a mate for few nights, it is not always that safe. It is important that those who meet via the Internet, particularly in long distance relationships specialy those from distinctly different cultures and values, need to take extra bit of care in protecting themselves from the very small minority that are abusing this great medium of meeting people.
Recently a very sad case hit international headlines. A US musician, Raymond Merrill, had got acquinted with a Brazilian womanfrom Sao Jose dos Campos in São Paulo state Brazil, via an Internet dating site. Mr. Merrill had already visited the girl in Brazil several times, lavishing gifts on her including a car, and back in April came for another trip after having been called by the Brazilian Girl to come immediatly to Brazil. Unbeknownst to Merrill, The girl took the pin numbers of his credit cards and with the help of her actual boy friend from Brazil strangled him to death with a cable and cremated the body to wipe out the crime.
Mr. Merrill‘s sister reported the US police after a month of frantic communication attempts with her brother, but although an investigation was launched and Merrill‘s bank accounts were found to be drained, neither the body was linked to the crime or the girl was identified.
The girl was apprehended by Brazilian Police in São Paulo when committing another similar robbery in June, and Merrell‘s credit card was found with her. Brazilian police made the connection and she was arrested for the murder, and the body was exhumed for DNA tests.
Of course such Internet dating scams are not new, nor are similar romance related scams. Rio de Janeiro is one area in Brazil, particularly in places like Ipanema and some particular bars/clubs there, where garotas de programa (prostitutes) scam arguably naive foreign men who come to Brazil for work or tourism.
It is always a good idea to be vigilant and trust only the good quality web sites. The golden rule for avoiding problems is to remember is to use common sense. If you travel to Brazil make sure to let your friends and family know where you are going and try to contact them regularly. Make sure to tell them where you are staying and keep the contact numbers the address details of the person you‘ve arranged to meet with your family. If you cant get these details from your future mate that should already be a warning sign.
If friends and family don‘t speak the local language of place you are going, try and find someone else in the area they can contact who speaks a suitable language as a backup.
Try to not expose yourself too much and keep all your belongings hidden and also Make sure you have backup plans on where to stay if there are relationship problems, and banks and credit card companies are advised of any withdrawal limits while you‘re away.
With Internet based relationships, keep an eye out for other warning signs as well, such as requests for money and gifts, or erratic and volatile behaviour.
Although it can be difficult in the initial throes of a relationship, try and take a step back and think about whether you feel things are making sense.