With the internet and networking sites, it’s become more common than ever to find a special someone online. Dating apps, social media and even gaming platforms have made it easier than ever to connect and find love. Many people from the last few generations have found love online, they call it a “modern love story.” No doubt that internet is a great place to find love, but it’s not always safe. Scammers prey on people’s hearts and emotions for financial gain.
Creating a profile on an online dating site or social media is easy, anyone can create it. With fake details, photos and friendly messages scammers build a relationship with you and gain your trust. When they’ve gained your trust, they often try to isolate you and manipulate you more easily, telling you stories about how they need money. Sadly, many have fallen for these romance scam tricks. Because of the relationship built and trust – one ends up giving money, only to be left heartbroken.
To outsmart the scammers, let’s look at some common romance scam scenarios:
- Overseas soldier: This is a classic scam targeting your compassion and patriotism. Through an online profile, they let you know that they’re a soldier and living overseas. They gain your trust with stories of their service and how they miss their family and are feeling lonely. Shortly after they have gained your trust, they’ll tell you that they want to meet you in person but need your help with “travel expenses” or “fees to get a leave from military service.” Real military soldiers don’t need to pay any “fees” to go on a leave and their travel costs are usually covered.
- Wealthy businessperson stuck abroad: They claim to be a successful businessperson working in another country. They’ll show you their luxurious lifestyle through photos, usually fancy hotel photos, expensive cars, shopping haul and sometimes their gourmet meals. Sometimes they even send you gifts to gain your trust. Then suddenly, they run into some trouble like their money got stolen or some unexpected expenses, they’re unable to get money from back home or can’t access their funds and need money “urgently” from you. They’ll promise to return you money within a few days and that they’ll also pay extra for the trouble. Wealthy individuals can access their funds anytime and if they don’t, they have many channels that come to rescue.
- Ill family member: After a few weeks of exchanging messages, your online love interest tells you that a close family member is seriously ill. They’ll claim to be desperate for money to pay more medical expenses and without the money in time their loved one may not survive. Scammers will also present fake medical documents. Using emotional and emergency tricks they try to get as much money as they can. It’s natural to want to help someone in medical emergencies, but it’s important to always verify and remember to be careful when dealing with someone you haven’t met in person.
- Long-distance love who needs money to communicate: Scammer will make you believe that they live in a small remote town or country where network and communication is difficult. They tell you that they need some money to buy a phone, pay for internet access or cover the cost for a special app that they need to use to keep in touch with you. With the broad and cheap availability of the internet and networks, it’s highly unlikely that they need money to keep the communications going.
How to avoid a romance scam?
Romance scams can affect your emotional and financial well-being. Because of the sensitive subject that it is, one can be easily blinded. So, it’s important to always look for the red flags and #BeFraudSmart before you talk to someone you’ve met online.
- Take your time: Don’t rush into anything. Don’t give into the pressure and take your time getting to know someone and be careful if they seem too eager.
- Do your research: If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Use the reverse image search on the photos to see if they’ve been used somewhere else.
- Keep your information private: You don’t need to share your personal and financial information with someone you haven’t met in person. Protect your details until you’re sure you can trust them.
Don’t send money: Be wary of anyone asking for money, especially for emergencies or unexpected expenses don’t send money to someone you’ve met online, remember “things are not always as they seem.” - Report suspicious behavior: Protect yourself and others. Use the report and block option on your profile when you suspect a scam. This helps the authorities take the right action.
Finding love online can be exciting, but it’s important to be cautious when you’re talking to someone you’ve met online. Let’s find genuine connections by staying smarter, safer, together.’
