Online Dating is one of the most common uses of the internet. Besides using the internet for our work, playing games, shopping, etc., millions of people use it to find the love of their life. While social networking websites like Facebook and Instagram also play an important role in dating online, there are specific dating websites too. The number of such websites is actually increasing day by day, and so is the number of dating scams.
Online Dating Scams are on the rise these days and the scammers are really smart. It is not that you are stupid and thus you got scammed, but yes one can really avoid such scams just by being a bit extra watchful.
The scammers, especially the male scammers, usually target middle-aged ladies and particularly the one who has good money. With their cheesy talk, they will first try to impress you and get closer, and then gradually strip you of all your assets. The case is actually similar to the female scammers too. If you are thinking that only a male scams girls/ladies, it is a myth. Girls or ladies are equally involved in such online dating scams.
In this article, we will talk about a few tips that can help you identify a scammer on online dating websites.
Tips to spot Online Dating Scams
Watch the profile carefully
The profile actually says everything. If you are a bit more careful, it is very easy to spot a fake profile. Check every detail carefully, such as their workplace, family, etc. Scammers usually try to lure you with promises of wealth, uploading pictures of a huge house, lavish cars, etc. For example, huge houses, big luxury cars, and more. This is all to give you an impression that such a rich guy/girl can’t/won’t cheat you. They usually mention working in foreign countries as military personnel or cite other trusted occupations.
Check out the photos
Photos are actually the best way to check if a person is a scammer or not. Check all their photos carefully and you can find out if they are genuine pictures of morphed. Check their locations in the pictures carefully and see if it matches their proximity. Also, check if those pictures are available anywhere else on the internet. Download their profile image or any other pictures uploaded, and use Google reverse image search.
They won’t send you pictures or come on video chat
Scammers won’t send you their pictures and won’t join a video chat either. Because they are using morphed pictures or someone else’s picture without permission.
They are too quick
Such scammers are too quick. Within just a few days of your friendship, they will start to love and miss you. Their every sentence will start with words like Dear, followed by sweetheart and darlings. You will suddenly become the love of their life. They will start sending you emotional emails and messages showing their love for you and how much they miss you.
They may ask for your intimate pictures
Soon after getting a bit closer to you, they will start demanding for your intimate pictures. An online dating scam is not necessarily monetary. Do not send any of your intimate pictures to anyone you haven’t met personally.
Scammers play strong emotions
To be straight, you have to be cleverer than the scammer to identify him/her. Such people express strong emotions to you soon after you start chatting with them. They may either share a heartbreaking story from their life or show themselves suffering from a lethal disease to gain your sympathy, followed by your trust. They may then ask for your other contact details, such as your social networking ID, phone number, email ID, and even your address. Do not get fooled by such emotional drama and never share your contact details. Keep it limited to that particular dating platform only.
Scammers work hard to gain your Trust
Do not get fooled by the emotional messages, poetry, cheesy lines, and even by the gifts. Such scammers try hard to gain your trust, and they may also send some gifts to you in the beginning. They will take extra care of you and may also become possessive in just a few days.
They won’t meet you easily
No matter how hard you insist, if the person is a scammer, they will initially keep avoiding the meetings. They may use tricks like saying they’re working in a foreign country and won’t really be able to come meet you. Sometimes they may also show you a fake flight ticket they booked just to meet you, but had to cancel due to urgent work or a health issue.
Ask for money
As soon as they feel you are on their hook, they will design some forge story to get money from you. The story will certainly have an emotional angle to tug at your heartstrings. They might ask you to lend them some money for a few days by making up a fake story here and there. They may also ask for your credit card details, giving you some odd reasons. They will tell you they are ready to start a new life with you, but then suddenly get stuck in a financial crisis, and then comes the emotional drama, and you end up sending them money for their flight tickets or some other crap. They may also ask you to open a joint account for your future life together, and may also deposit some funds in it to gain your trust. But as soon as you deposit money, they will withdraw all the amount and vanish.
Read: What does Catfish mean in an online dating context?
What to do if you are scammed?
If you feel you have been scammed or harassed by anyone on the dating website, you can report it to the website. Every dating website has a clause of kicking out and blocking scammers.
If you have already shared your bank details or credit card details, contact your bank and get the card blocked immediately. Change all your online passwords. In case of further harassment, you can also contact the cyber police and file a complaint with full details about the scammer.
Online Dating Scams are increasing day by day but one can avoid such scam just by being extra careful and avoiding some common mistakes done on Dating websites.
Read next: Online Sextortion scams.
