Online dating scams are happening everywhere not just in western countries but also in India. Today’s generation is available on dating sites to find their right match.
However, there is no guarantee that you will find your right match, but you can definitely experience fraud here.
For instance, lots of people are creating fake accounts on dating sites like bumble and tinder, social media like Facebook, and Instagram.
Besides, there are romance scammers, and they know how to play the game.
What is an online-dating scam?
Frauds related to online dating are more correctly referred to as romance scams or internet dating frauds.
In this, scammers would be creating a fake account on dating sites to withdraw your money.
Firstly, they build trust and after that they emotionally blackmail you for money.
Here’s an easy guide to help you identify the warning signs and protect yourself from online dating fraud.
Common signs of online dating scams
1.Attractive profile-
They use pictures created from Artificial intelligence. The people also give you fake information about their profession and family background.
Sometimes online dating scammers don’t even tell their real names.
2.Quick approach –
Romance scammers approach you in the first few chats.
Firstly, they try to butter you like you are looking gorgeous, and I love your eyes. Then they ask you, your personal information.
Later on, they express intense emotions, saying things like, “Hey baby, I’m falling for you.”
They do this to make you feel special and build a quick connection.
3.Asking you for money-
Internet dating scammers emotionally blackmail you for money.
For example, they give you various reasons like – can you please send me money; my mother is in the hospital. She is very serious. I will give it back to you.
4. Red flags-
Online dating scammers avoid meeting you in person whenever you ask them to meet.
Another red flag you look at in scammers is that they ask for personal information quickly and also make excuses to avoid video chats.
5. Calls from various numbers-
If a person is calling you from various numbers to hide his identity, then be aware that it might be a scam.
How online dating scams work?
1.Dating sites –
On dating websites like Tinder or Bumble scammers create fake profiles with attractive photos and charming bios.
They start conversations to build trust quickly. After a while, they might say they need money for an emergency, like a sick family member or a sudden bill.
They play with your emotions to convince you to send them money. They send you QR codes for money.
There’s a case where a scammer lied about his profession and told a girl that he is working in share marketing.
In excitement the girl sent him money for investment and then the person gets invisible. As a result, she lost all of her money.
2.Social media –
On platforms like Facebook or Instagram, scammers reach out pretending to be someone they’re not.
Initially, they might start by liking your posts or sending friendly messages like hey, how are you I was your senior in your college. It’s been a long time how’s it going for you?
Then, gradually, they steer the conversation toward a sob story. They exploit your trust to ask for money.
Even on a professional platform like LinkedIn, people used it as a dating site and send you personal messages.
3.Matrimonial sites –
Even on sites meant for serious relationships like shaadi.com or jeevansathi.com websites, scammers create profiles with false information.
They often pose as the richest person to attract attention. They provide you false information in their biodata.
Once they gain your trust, they may invent reasons for needing money.
Sometimes they manipulate you into sharing personal details that they might misuse later.
How to avoid online dating scams?
1. Verify persons background –
Before getting too involved, do a little detective work.
Check their social media profiles, do a reverse image search on their photos, and see if their story holds up.
2.Take your time in a relationship-
Most importantly, understand the person over time. Do not jump into a relationship too quickly. Meet them in public places.
Spend some time. Through chats scammers try to win your trust.
3.Meet in public places –
If you decide to meet up in person, choose a public location.
It’s safer because scammers want to meet you in hotels or lodges where they already plan to deceive you.
Genuine people usually want to see and talk to you face-to-face.
If someone always finds excuses to avoid video chats, be wary.
4.Observe red flags –
Be cautious if they shower you with excessive compliments and push you to share personal details.
5. Don’t shop with gift cards –
Gift cards are digital cards used for online shopping.
If someone you met on a dating site asks you to buy something with a gift card, they might secretly take pictures of your gift card and its pin code.
6.Trust your instincts –
If something feels off, trust your gut. Your instincts are always right. However, if someone’s behavior raises doubts and makes you uncomfortable, be wise to step back.
7.Keep your profile private –
Limit the amount of personal information in your profile. This lessens the chances that fraudsters will find ways to use it against you.
8.Don’t share your personal details until you trust –
Scammers can misuse your details for scams. Therefore, be careful with what you share online.
Avoid sharing your phone number, address or email id early on. Otherwise, scammers might use this information to contact you outside the platform.
9.Don’t send money-
Never send money to someone you do not know, regardless of how sad a story you hear.
10. Report the problem –
You can report love scam to ReportFraud.ftc.gov which will also help protect others and take action against fraudsters.
Romance scammer stories
1.AI Voice Scam: Woman Loses Rs 7 Lakh
37 years old, Rashmi Kar, was working at a call center in Mumbai and betrayed her neighbor’s trust. The victim told Rashmi that she is looking for a job.
Rashmi Kar shared her colleague Abhimanyu’s number with the victim to help her in finding a job.
The victim and Abhimanyu started chatting and fell for each other.
When Abhimanyu asked her money, she sent him 7 Lakhs without having any second thought.
Later on, Rashmi Kar admitted that she scammed her by using AI-generated male voice.
2. Facebook Scam:
Liza Likins is a backup singer. After his husband’s death she decided to date someone from Facebook dating.
On Facebook dating, she met Donald. He told her that he is living in Australia.
Over time, both used to talk 4 to 5 hours a day. Then she fell in love with him. Later on, Donald asked money from Liza, and she gave it from her savings.
Donald continuously asks money from her and for that eventually she sold her house. In return, he promised Liza, that he is coming to US to be with her forever.
When Liza realized that it’s a scam, she went to social catfish company to check his real identity.
The company told her that Donald was a scammer in reality he is German life coach Raho Bornhorst.
Raho Bornhorst told Liza that fraudsters have used his pictures to scam 100s of ladies till date.
3. Delhi Murder case:
Aftab and Shraddha were dating. They met each other on Tinder, after few months of dating Shraddha asked him into getting married. Shraddha was a 27-year-old Indian woman.
However, in a fit of rage after having a spat with Shraddha, Aftab lost his temper, pressed her neck, slit her body into 35 pieces, and kept them in the fridge.
He disposed of two portions of her body every day at around 2 a.m. in the morning.
Consequently, this case was too scary. Therefore, be aware of such romance scams; you might lose your life.
Conclusion
According to survey, in India 66% of adults face online dating scam and approximately 83% of people falls into AI-generated voice scams.
Similarly, in the USA, nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams in 2022 and lost $1.3 billion.
In conclusion, be aware of online dating scams; otherwise, you might be the next victim. So, take care of yourself and follow these steps to avoid scams.
- Verify person’s background
- Don’t rush into a relationship
- Meet in public places
- Observe red flags
- Don’t shop with gift cards
- Trust your instincts
- Keep your profile private
- Don’t share your personal details until you trust
- Don’t send money
- Report the problem to ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Download our free checklist now and stay safe from romance scams.
