Cruise Ship Scam: Fake Captain Attracts Women, Offers Romance Then Asks For Money

A Delaware woman was reportedly duped under a romance scam by a man claiming to be a cruise ship captain, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The matter was reported in early October and involved a company called Seamax International Cruise Ship and it is the so-called captain.

According to cruise news, the Camden based woman met a man online named Captain James Rockwell. Promising love, the scammer sought money from the lady and offered to marry her.

The woman sent $500 to the scammer. But she never heard from Captain Rockwell after that.

Sounding an alert against such scams, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said: “Captain James Rockwell uses his title and position to attract women to obtain money…Using his appearance to pretend to be deeply in love with them.”

There was no mention of the site or app where the victim met the scammer. The BBB Scam Tracker also did not reveal much information on the victim baring her postal code as 19904.

BBB warns against phishing by con men

BBB warned against falling prey to con artists who create compelling backstories and convincing identities. They trick people into falling for someone who never existed. This kind of deception is called “catfishing.”

The BBB noted that a catfisher will dupe with a fake persona and use manipulative tactics to steal personal information or act out fake romance to trick money under the phishing scam.

Meanwhile, tourism in Puerto Rico is bouncing back and cruise deals are also growing after its recovery from Hurricane Maria. The post-hurricane tourism is on a high.

“We're thrilled to report that Puerto Rico's tourism is the strongest it's ever been,” Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico told USA Today.

The numbers until September 2019 illustrate positive trends in tourism. On the flights to Puerto Rico, there has been a more than 11 percent surge in passenger traffic, according to Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria led to the death of 4,600 people, according to a Harvard study.

To boost tourism and travel, a campaign by actress Rosario Dawson and the Lin-Manuel Miranda, rapper with Broadway musicals are underway to woo visitors to Puerto Rico.

They are partnering with Hilton hotels and JetBlue to spread awareness about the Caribbean island’s offerings.

Dawson features in Hilton's campaign: "Carry on Puerto Rico" and calls Puerto Rico a magical place. Hilton has eight hotels and resorts on the island.

Meanwhile, the Carnival Cruise CEO Arnold Donald praised Puerto Rico for its recovery from Hurricane Maria and said he was impressed by the surge in visitor arrivals this year.