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Dating Scams: Beware!

Posted by Leticia, 29 Jan

Get 3 simple tips to protect yourself from unscrupulous scammers who are out to con you to part with your money. They may start with harmless, even tender, mails. Stay alert.

If you are a regular users of the Internet, you have probably come across or at least heard of one of those Internet "scams" - those surprise letters from Nigeria or Russia that pop into your e-mail inbox every once in a while.

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Unfortunately dating and personals sites have also been targeted by these unscrupulous scammers. Like the infamous "Nigerian letters", the primary sources of these scams (generally spread via unsolicited e-mail or spam) are from Africa and Russia. Of course, BEWARE, the scamsters can be from anywhere in the world.

What is dating scam and what you can do to be safe?

Both the dating and the "Nigerian" scam e-mails are usually easy to identify. The Nigerian letters usually tell you of some hidden booty that somebody would like to transfer to you. All you have to do to get those millions of dollars is to give them your bank details so that they can easily transfer funds to your account, the letters say. If only being rich was that simple...

The dating scams typically involve a slightly different approach: kind and affectionate letters from a person you don't know very well yet, slowly invoking a sense of sympathy with some tragic tales, and finally a polite request for money. Simple as that. The urgent money requirements could be to meet the needs of a dying aunty, to arrange for a ticket to meet up with the special you, pay for the Internet, have an urgent surgery, etc. Professional scammers regularly fool lots of gullible Internet users. Don't let your guard down, and be alert to their advances.

Another scam involves money orders. A person from another country or someone claiming to be an American temporarily visiting an another country will ask for help cashing a postal money order. This person will claim that he/she will be charged exorbitant interest in the country he/she is in, and will ask to send you the money order so that you may cash it at your bank and you send back the money via Western Union. Do NOT fall for this very common trick. The money order is almost certain to be counterfeit, and once the bank where you cashed the money order determines that it is fake after some weeks you will be personally liable for paying back the money from the cashed fraudulent money order (and you cannot get money back sent via Western Union).

Here are three very simple tips to help you against falling prey to these scammers on our site:

Identify scam: If you get any letter, particularly from Africa or Russia (of course, anywhere else too) that offers you large amounts of money or asks for your bank details, you are most likely being targeted. Or, if your pen pal starts talking money and asks for some after a few tender letters, let your suspicions be aroused.

Avoid scam: This is very simple. DON'T SEND MONEY to anyone until you have met him/ her in person, and have gotten to know the person very well, and you are convinced the person is genuine. We advise you ask the person to have a photo taken holding a sign with your name on it. This ensures they are the person they profess to be.

Inform us: If you receive any scam-like letter through our site, let us know immediately by sending an e-mail to us via our support page.

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9 responses to "Dating Scams: Beware!"

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  1.   JADE74 says:
    Posted: 03 Dec 06

    A very good article with good information.I have read about many online scams.Scams can also be offline.Just be careful.

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  2.   aantonio says:
    Posted: 14 Nov 06

    Very good article. Its true but sad Ive had people trying to scam me, ive had people trying to use me for a visa. However, there are some true prople out there. however, if you get a red flag, when someone u r talkn to needs a visa, then by all means follow it.

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  3.   Worknoextra says:
    Posted: 12 Nov 06

    I have been contacted by a young woman from Russia kindly requesting money so that we can be together. The amount requested seemed small for paperwork and a flight to the U.S. That immediately raised my red flag to question her motives. This article put the final "no" to the apparent scam.

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  4.   Carla says:
    Posted: 10 Nov 06

    This is a good article...isnt it sad that so many of these scams exist and alot of people dont even know it.....I hope articles like this will help to prevent alot of people from getting taken...good article...

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  5.   Fala says:
    Posted: 09 Oct 06

    This is a great article. So many people are not aware that these scams exist. Hopefully getting the word out will help put these scammers out of business.

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  6.   Natural72 says:
    Posted: 01 Oct 06

    Great tips! I have read stories about these scams. People I know have even been approached with similiar scenerios. Thanks for the article.

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  7.   sweetest1 says:
    Posted: 30 Sep 06

    Anyone who faces such a situation should really think about what they are doing before giving out any personal info... even your address!! These people are professionals and they can derive a lot of information from even the most trivial of details. Give out as little info as possible until you feel comfortable this person isn't a scam artist and NEVER give out a bank account, social security, or credit card number!!!

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  8.   charlee1 says:
    Posted: 26 Sep 06

    if somebody came up to you in the street and asked for your bank details, would you give it to them? it\'s the same as these scams. i just put them where they deserve to be......... in the trash! great article.

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  9.   JADE74 says:
    Posted: 19 Sep 06

    I have recieved many scammed letters. Also recieved a few email that was spammed.....Good article. Stay alert.

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