Posts Tagged ‘online dating scams’

Scam Targets

Online dating scammers lower their victim’s defenses by aiming at their romantic or sympathetic side. They brilliantly play on emotions to be able to obtain personal information, gifts, and most especially money. These swindlers target people by making fake profiles on real Internet dating sites. You will notice how fast they will profess their love for you even if you haven’t been communicating that long. They will also suggest that you move the relationship away from the dating Web site to e-mail, instant messaging or phone. Scammers frequently claim to be travelling or working abroad.

Scammers are willing to go to great lengths to gain your interest and confidence so they give you believable made-up personal information and even send you gifts. Scammers are patient enough to spend months in creating a seemingly perfect romantic relationship with you. They may pretend to book flights to see you but they usually get postponed because something comes up. When it becomes evident that you already trust them, they will subtly or directly ask for gifts, money or your bank details. You will hear a variety of reasons like they are in desperate need of money because of a sick family member or that their house will be confiscated by the bank.

It is easy to say that people who are vulnerable are the target of online dating scammers. The question is who are considered vulnerable? CebuHeart.com has compiled a list of the usual targets of scammers. There is no intention to discriminate; these just happen to be the most popular ones that scammers victimize. The list includes:

1. The Elderly people

Elderly men and women who are in search for companionship are deemed to be particularly vulnerable to online dating scams. They are believed to be soft-hearted and eager to share their money in return for romantic love and attention.

Scammers know how to approach elderly people on dating sites. They touch the emotions of those who, possibly unaware of their need for love, have not experienced flattering attention in a long time. Everybody wants to be loved, and sadly their egos naturally are boosted when a younger “admirer” shows interest. They love how their friends get jealous of their newfound romance.

2. Divorced, separated or widowed people

People who have lost their spouses, either by death or termination of marriage, are also easy targets of online dating fraudsters. The ordeal of losing their partner sometimes leaves them defenseless to online scams. Scammers patiently hunt on numerous dating sites for these people and skillfully exude the captivating aura of romance that these people want. They can envision how separated or widowed people are feeling after they have lost their spouse of many years. The victims often give in because they want to fill the void in their life.

3. People with weight problems

There are scammers who admit that people with weight problems are about the easiest targets to scam. Those who can’t accept their weight have a tendency to feel insecure. They often yearn for someone to accept, admire and love them despite of their weight. Because of their insecurity, they tend to do everything to hold on to their online mate, even if they are not certain if the relationship is real. Their feeling of insecurity and their need for acceptance are the main reasons they are conveniently exploited.

4. People with low self-esteem

Some perpetrators feel that those who have low self-esteem are the most gullible. Scammers usually target those they feel have low self confidence, mostly people who do not get a lot of responses to their online dating profile. Since these people are timid in real life because of some personal issues, they tend to give in to advances online. Since most scammers are smart and experienced, they have a way of detecting those who have poor self-esteem.

5. Other lonely groups of people

People who are lonely tend to be victimized by scammers because they are likely to give signs that they are in need of some form of company. Perpetrators take advantage of this and make the victim feel that they can provide this need. Because of loneliness, these people allow their heart to get in the way of common sense.  The thought of having someone stops them from seeing the truth.

6. People looking for sex

Those who join dating sites because of sex are also a target of scammers. In exchange for money, scammers will show “their” nude pictures or sex videos and promise to engage in mind-blowing sexual acts when they meet. Because of their sexual desires, they fall for the traps of the scammer. These people do not disclose how much money is taken from them because of shame.

The best way to deal with dating scams is to be educated on how these swindlers operate. Before establishing an online relationship, do your homework to prevent being targeted by scammers. Online dating scammers victimize millions of people around the world. Regardless of how you are scammed, you could end up losing a lot of money. If a person gets scammed, the money lost is almost impossible to retrieve. In addition to a broken heart, you also have to deal with an empty wallet. Scammed people may feel long-term emotional betrayal from someone they truly cared about.

When you give online dating a shot, you have to consider the odds that you will be approached by a scammer. Make sure that your profile information and photo does not give an impression that you are vulnerable and that you desperately need somebody in your life. Once you establish a relationship with somebody online, talk to a friend or a relative so they can give you advice. Avoid sending money to somebody you just recently met online and haven’t met in person yet. Don’t ever give credit card or online account information to anyone by e-mail.  You also have to be careful with the information you divulge on dating sites. Scammers may use it and create a fake identity to scam others. That would really get you in trouble.

While it is your ultimate goal to find your true love online, don’t be blinded by romantic words, sweet promises and a few gifts. Always be vigilant and never let your emotion affect your decision-making even if your online mate seems persistent or caring. If they genuinely care for you, they will understand why you are keeping your guard up. They would gladly do their best to prove to you that they deserve your love.

CebuHeart.com is a dating community worth visiting. To avoid scammers and assure safety, the site verifies all its members.

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