Internet Romance Scams – Don't Let Yourself Get Scammed
Many people commend the use of online dating for various reasons, convenience being among the top of the list. However, it is possible to be taken by one of the many different internet romance scams if you participate in these websites. If you choose to take part in online dating, it is important that you exercise caution in order to not be scammed.
The typical internet romance scams are perpetrated by people who join online dating sites in a false attempt for find a companion. These peoples' objective is one; to find a lonely vulnerable soul and take advantage of her/him and use this vulnerability to rip them off.
Most perpetrators appear to be located outside the United States, although this is not always the case. They will do everything in their power to get close to those they wish to scam.
They will chat frequently, and will usually try to talk you into taking the communication through a more private method, such as the phone. When the "date" is supposed to be of foreign origin (such as a Russian mail-order bride), this may not trigger suspicion as they will be presumed to have an accent.
But if someone claims to be an "American solder" deployed overseas (or some other type of worker or volunteer) but has a heavy foreign accent, that's a red flag right away. Scam artists usually get around this through hiring a "voice".
Once they have you wrapped in the relationship, those involved in internet romance scams will then become in need of financial assistance. They may try to scam their victim by asking for money so they can purchase a plane ticket to come visit the other person.
Sometimes, they prefer to use a story of despair, such as they need money for medical bills, or to leave the country because they are in danger. No matter the story, many will want to help them due to the bond they have created with the person.
Those who fall for these internet romance scams will likely not hear from their "partner" once they send them money. Some scammers will place a call just to let you know you were scammed, but the majority will just no longer communicate with you. But there are scam artists really have… well, balls. These will keep asking for more using different reasons.
These scams not only harm someone financially, but also emotionally, especially when you felt attached to this person and all they wanted was some cash. For this reason, many people give up on internet dating after being scammed.
To prevent yourself from falling into one of those internet romance scams, you may want to consider staying away from online dating. At the very least, you should use a paid dating site if your budget allows, as this leaves a paper trail.
The notion that people from the US are less likely to scam you is largely false. Yes, unsophisticated crooks can be caught due to IP addresses, but the more sophisticated ones know how to hide this. So, just because someone is from your country does not mean you should let down your guard.
Often internet scam artists use stolen photos in their dating profile. Simply asking for more pictures in different day to day activities such as in the kitchen cooking, for example, will spook the scammer, who will simply disappear.
Always be very cautious and suspicious when someone starts hinting about needed financial help, and decline to offer assistance.
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Filed under Dating Scams by Dawg
Comments on Internet Romance Scams – Don't Let Yourself Get Scammed »
When they catch these online dating scammers, myself I feel that they should educate these scumbags and one solution would be to put them in prison for about 20 years with no possibility for parole. I have no respect for online dating scammers as these type of people have no morality, no feelings or care for what they do and the only thing they are out to do is scam money from members of online dating sites.
Another solution would be to put a tattoo on their foreheads in black that says “I am a Scammer”, then everybody realizes and knows who these lowlifes are.
When it comes to quality online dating sites, I would sooner use niche dating sites or some of the more popular online dating sites like Match.com or AmericanSingles.com. With free online dating sites I see a problem and that problem is they are usually where the majority of online dating scammers do their work as they may provide whatever information about themselves which is usually all lies.
At least with paid online dating sites these online dating scammers have to provide a valid credit card when paying for their membership and it becomes more difficult for online dating scammers to do their work. As well paid dating sites will go after these online dating scammers usually if they are reported by those members that these online dating scammers ask for money from.
They do belong in jail.
I understand people are busy and meeting people via internet seems like a good time-saver. However, they should know that their are many risks involved in internet dating. It’s hard to trust that anyone is who they say they are in real life, let alone on the internet. I guess I’m old fashioned. Even so, if internet dating has proven successful for some people, then I hate the fact that people are taking advantage of these internet sites and scamming people at a very personal level.
I agree. It is important to make sure the site you are dealing with is above board and does things in an above board manner. This is your heart you are dealing with, after all. You want to make sure you protect it.