ONLINE DATING
4 Common Dating Scams to Look Out For
Dating used to be a pretty straightforward concept back in the day.
If you liked someone, you courted that person, put in the effort to win their heart, and if they liked you back, that was it.
It’s still pretty much the same concept today, aside from the fact that it can now be done from the comfort of your own home, at the touch of a finger.
Like all industries, the world of dating has gravitated towards the digital space, and now thousands of people every day interact with one another on dating applications in hopes of finding that special someone who meets their special needs — whether it be love, companionship, instant gratification, or all of the above.
The ease and accessibility of modern dating apps appeal to millions of people worldwide, and they have become a staple of the dating industry in today’s climate.
These services allow for a nearly seamless stream of interaction between willing participants to unfold, and they cater to nearly all ages and demographics.
However, like in all industries, there’s always going to be those who want to beat the system — corrupt individuals seeking to cash in on scams and schemes through any means necessary.
In the growing world of online dating, there’s no shortage of scammers, since there’s no shortage of participants, either.
In this blog, we’ll go over and analyze four different types of common dating scams, how to identify them, and how to avoid falling for their tricks.
Let’s start with…
The friend in need
This scam starts with an unsuspecting person who seems like any other person you’d chat with on an online platform. As the chats go by, either the person refuses to send pictures of themselves or they send pictures that seem a bit sketchy or unrealistic.
This person will attempt to get close to you online, either as a friend or, more commonly, in a romantic setting.
Eventually, the time will come when they need financial help. It will either be a severe emergency like a family member in an accident or an overdue bill. They’ll try to convince you to help them out, and they’ll want you to send them cash.
Remember, when somebody you barely know asks for cash online, that’s already a huge red flag. Usually, people who fall for this scam get scammed multiple times after, since they agreed to the first payment and may be more likely to “help out” again financially.
Thoroughly question the legitimacy of the person’s problem as well as their identity.
When something feels fishy, it’s usually because it is. Do not waste time with these people. Block them immediately, and for sure, they’ll move on to the next victim.
Warn your friends and family if you have to. Again, never send cash to someone you don’t know online.
The catfish
This is one of the more common scams. You find these on mainstream apps more often than international ones, since the shroud of anonymity allows scammers to thrive.
By now, you’ve probably heard of this scam, know somebody who fell for it, or may have even been victimized by it before.
Here’s how it works:
It’s a classic imposter. A fake, a phony, an impersonator.
The scammer will attempt to pose as somebody they’re not, and they will usually use fake or stolen photos from a famous social media influencer, a random attractive person, or an AI-generated fake photo.
Sometimes, it’s straight up identity theft — compulsively saving and emulating all of a person’s photos and information to replicate their profile.
The person will attempt to initiate romantic advances on the victim and will want to continue an ongoing relationship online.
Sometimes (but rarely), the scammer will want to meet in person. This is usually more common when the person’s pictures are in fact real, albeit heavily edited and misleading of their true appearance.
These scammers tend to be very insecure, unattractive, or low in self-esteem.
They resort to manipulation and fraud in order to fill the void in their hearts, since their true selves are insufficient in achieving their romantic wants and needs.
If the person only sends pictures, and they refuse to video chat or to communicate on a different medium, that’s a telltale sign of a catfish.
Do a reverse Google image search on their pictures to confirm if the photos were stolen or not.
When you realize that a person is catfishing you, cut contact with them and block them immediately.
The blackmailer
This one is somewhat like a combination of the first two on this list.
Blackmailers usually start out as catfish impostors, posing as someone highly attractive.
These scammers are some of the most cold-hearted and unforgiving fraudsters out there, as they will trick you into divulging highly sensitive personal information, which they will then use to extort money or more information out of you.
Usually, the scammer will convince their victim to send them a nude photo. Immediately, the scammer follows up with a sinister message saying that they will show the photo to everyone in the victim’s family and workplace unless they send them money, and in some cases, they will ask for more nude photos (and money) as the scam progresses.
Victims feel powerless and are held hostage with their dignity on the line. Those who give into the scammer’s demands only set themselves up for a relentless cycle of degenerate, sickening extortion.
In severe cases, scammers have tricked multiple people at once, holding them “hostage” while extorting photos that they subsequently sell on the deep web.
Sometimes, the scammer will even persuade you to divulge your bank or credit card information.
The green card shark
Marriage-related immigration scams are among the most prevalent scams when it comes to international dating sites.
The way it works is like this:
A foreign woman begins dating overseas in an online relationship with an unsuspecting man who falls madly in love with her. He (or she) arranges for her travel (usually) to the West, where they get married. Then, out of the blue, she divorces the man. Rather than looking forward to an actual marriage, she was only after the permanent resident alien status that comes with it — also known as being a “green card holder.”
This is a common stereotype among women from Eastern European nations, but these scams have been observed in all kinds of foreign women.
To avoid this, don’t be so quick to jump into marriage, especially if she pushes the idea too soon. These women take advantage of hopeless romantics and gullible, star-struck men.
Be genuine and transparent with her about what you want for the future and assess whether she truly wants to spend her life with you or not.
Oftentimes, language barriers and cultural differences serve as justification for a lack of communication, and intentions may be obscured. Just as easily, love may be misinterpreted.
If you’re unsure of her intentions, consult a friend or a professional love coach for some worthy advice. If you feel like something’s up, investigate it.
These are just four of the more prevalent dating scams out there, but there are a lot more of them you’ll need to watch out for.
Be careful with the amount of personal information you divulge online, think with the right head, and stay observant for any dating red flags if they ever appear.
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