"US Army Colonel" fraud. A woman was tricked for $4,500 with a parcel

A 42-year-old woman from Poland fell victim to a scam. A man, who introduced himself as a colonel of the U.S. Army, promised her a shipment containing a safe with 200,000 euros. The woman paid the associated shipping costs six times. Unfortunately, the parcel from the "American soldier" she met online never arrived. The woman, who was eagerly awaiting the shipment, lost a total of about $4,500.

A spokeswoman for Polish police, reported about this incident on Tuesday. She explained that a 42-year-old woman from the Płońsk district received a friend request on a popular social network site from an unknown man. The man introduced himself as a colonel in the U.S. Army and gradually earned the woman's trust by telling her about his life.

An alleged U.S. Army colonel claimed that he was soon to retire and he owns a safe with cash amounting to about $236,000 and securities. "He asked the woman for her address, as he wanted to send this safe to her. He promised that he would come to her after retiring. The 42-year-old woman agreed to the man's proposal" - reported the spokeswoman.

As she added, during online conversations with a 42-year-old, the alleged American officer informed her that unfortunately unforeseen troubles with the shipment had arisen. The shipment was stopped at the border and because of this, costs associated with transport and customs fees need to be paid.

"The woman made a total of six transfers for the equivalent of $4,479. When the valuable package still did not come, and the American soldier asked for more money, the 42-year-old realized that she had been scammed," she addes.

The police warn: "remember, criminals are constantly improving their methods of operation, be especially careful when dealing with people met on the internet, especially when they ask for money."