Google Hangouts A Platform of Choice for Russian Internet Criminals

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Google Hangouts A Platform of Choice for Russian Internet Criminals

Google’s free chatting platform Hangouts has become a tool often used for romance scammers operating out of Russia. According to professional Russian private investigators, every day more victims of fraud and scam report they were contacted by someone on Google Hangouts or were convinced to move from an online dating platform to Hangouts.

The perks of using this communication platform are many, according to investigator familiar with the fraud. For starters, it is free and scammers can open an account in a matter of seconds without leaving any trace of where they are located, their real identity or anything that can identify them. Hangouts also enables messaging, video chats and SMS messages from any location, which is extremely convenient to keep in touch on a daily basis while the grooming process is ongoing.

Chatting with someone on Hangouts does not necessarily have to be dangerous as long as people understand the risks and take safety measures. Social media and online dating sites in general are high risk platforms for identity theft, blackmail, romance scams and other cases of fraud. Russian private investigators recommend the following tips to remain safe.

Google Hangouts is a commonly used platform for romance scam.
If someone contacts you through this platform or asks you to move the conversation there, you are in the presence of a big red flag. Regular and honest people also use Hangouts, but when asked to move the conversation there, or you’ve been contacted by someone you don’t know, be careful!

Never provide personal information.
If you have decided you want to keep communicating with someone on Hangouts, create a Google account that you will only use for this purpose and do not add any personal information. Remain as anonymous as possible while you figure out if you really have an interest in this person.

Ask the right questions.
In order to figure out if you are being deceived by a Russian romance scammer, you will need to know who you are communicating with. Ask things like a date of birth or birthday, where they work, if they went to school and where. Anything that can be used to verify their identity.

Hire a dating background check investigation in Russia.
You will need local Russian investigators to conduct a professional dating background check in Russia. Professional private investigators based in Moscow or St. Petersburg can help you verify birth, marriage, and criminal records with government agencies in Russia and directly at the sources of information. They can also contact employers or schools to confirm the data you have.

If you met someone in Russia, and you’re communicating through Hangouts, do not wait anymore! Get a professional investigator now and verify it’s safe to continue with the relationship!!