How to Detect and Fight Online Dating Scams
Scamming on the internet is not only easy but hard to detect as well. While the internet provides people an excellent medium of communication, every day men and women become victims to scammers hiding behind computer screens and lies. However, if you are aware, careful and follow a few simple guidelines, you can avoid being scammed for the most part.
Instructions
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1
If you have been regularly chatting with someone online, one of the first alarm bells should ring if the person is unreasonably averse to video chats with you. It doesn’t really matter if the person you are dating online has already sent you a picture because a picture of a beautiful girl does not mean there isn’t a man impersonating a woman on the other end. If this is the case with the person you are seeing, then he/she will always make excuses just to avoid a webcam chat with you.
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2
Given the convenience afforded by technological advancements and proliferation of gadgets, it is near impossible to believe someone cannot share proper photos or videos with you. It is common for scammers to make you feel guilty by using words like 'trust' and 'security' every time you request a video chat or photographs.
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3
Online dating scammers will always say what you want to hear. They want to gain your trust, and for that they behave very sweetly with you. It is only after gaining your trust will they make their move by trying to convince you to send them money.
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4
No matter how long you have been chatting with a scammer, he/she will never give out proper or correct contact details. They may take your number and even call you occasionally, they can appear reluctant to share their own address etc.
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5
Do not be fooled by hearing the voice of a girl, because scammers can pay a girl just to talk to you on the phone. Remember if the girl isn’t a fraud, she will give you her number without conditions if she wants to, and will be available to talk any time.
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6
It is quite common among dating scammers to tell their targets false stories to gain sympathy. They will often say that they are facing financial problems or have some sick parents and cannot cover the cost of health care bills. By these stories they make way for taking money from you. If your online partner tells you he/she is facing financial issues, don't be quick to send money etc.
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7
Gay men are largely targeted by these scammers. They pretend to be homosexuals living in the third-world and in need of financial assistance. Some countries in that part of the world have zero-tolerance for homosexuality, so these scammers take advantage of this situation and try to gain sympathy. Their prime objective is to milk money from you and the moment you send them some cash, you will most probably never hear from them again.
