Chris Salgado is a private investigator who specializes in assisting victims of online scams. Chris is an expert in social engineering and frequently speaks about topics such as romance scams, elderly fraud, child online safety, online investment fraud, cyber and physical investigations, counterfeits, cults, and reducing online footprint.
Chris shared a story about a woman who had been the victim of a romance scam and had lost over $300,000 of her own inheritance. Her daughter hired Chris’s team to investigate whether the scammer was legitimate or not, and they found that he was indeed a fraud. Chris emphasizes that his team follows the facts, and sometimes this proves the client right and sometimes it proves them wrong.
Romance scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods of defrauding victims. They often use psychological tactics to build trust and manipulate their victims. Scammers may use fake profiles on dating sites, social media, or other platforms to connect with their victims. Once they have gained their victim’s trust, they may ask for money for a variety of reasons, such as medical expenses, travel costs, or unexpected bills.
When asked about the emotional state of someone who uncovers that they have been scammed, Chris says that it can be a variance of emotions. He notes that they have come across dismissive clients who don’t believe their loved one is being duped, inflaming the victim’s emotions. Once they confirm that the person is a scammer, the emotions that come into play include anger, sadness, and deceit.
Chris and his team try to console their clients as much as possible and provide resources for psychological support. They focus on investigating and delivering a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
So, what can be done to combat romance scams and other forms of online fraud? Collaboration is key. Chris describes the investigative process as a puzzle where different parties are puzzle pieces. Each party has its own responsibility, but they work together to create a bigger picture.
According to Salgado, many entities, such as banks, law enforcement, and credit card companies, play a critical role in detecting and preventing scams. However, not all companies are willing to share information due to their corporate standards and policies. His primary role is to investigate and analyze information and report it to the client, who can then use that information to assemble their puzzle.
The ultimate goal is to assemble a comprehensive legislature that will be impactful and helpful to the community in combating scams. By working together, different entities can share information and create a more comprehensive understanding of the scams and their impact on victims.
If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from online scams, listen to episode 7 of Chris’s podcast. It’s full of valuable information and insights that can help you stay safe in the digital age.
Scam Rangers 
Leave a comment