"Precious Ruba" Refugee Scam Warning

Precious Ruba is a fictional persona used in advance-fee fraud (romance/refugee scams). There is no real refugee by this name in Dakar, Senegal. Scammers—often operating from West Africa—create elaborate fake profiles (photos, documents, backstories) to build trust, then request money for "travel," "visas," "medical emergencies," or "customs fees."

Red Flags

• Unsolicited contact via social media/dating sites.
• Rapid emotional escalation ("love," "destiny").
• Requests for money via Western Union, MoneyGram, crypto, gift cards.
• Poor grammar, inconsistent details, refusal to video call.
• Claims of being stuck in a refugee camp/hotel.

Protection

• Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
• Reverse-image search profile photos (Google Images, TinEye).
• Report to platform, FBI IC3 (ic3.gov), FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
• Warn others.