When I see someone daring to look for love online, I understand the courage it takes to open your heart to strangers, holding onto the belief that a miracle is possible. But, unfortunately, it may appear that not everybody has intentions as pure as yours, and so the scam happens.
We can’t stop it, but we can prevent it from happening if we know how to check things and be vigilant. As someone who has personally been through this journey and now diligently tests dating sites, I’ve created a helpful guide on how to avoid fraud and save your money, trust, and belief in love.
First of all, what is a scam?
A scam is an unfair business pattern, usually aimed at getting one’s money. Your wallet would usually be the main goal, but sometimes scammers can even make you do bad or illegal things for them, and you would realize it only after it’s all over.
Speaking of fraud on dating sites, the US Embassy regularly encounters cases of Russian scams targeting US citizens. The main focus is the money, so you have to know how to protect your bills and cards.
How does it happen?
The schemes of getting cash can be very sophisticated and hard, but actually, you can expose the scam pretty easily if you’re attentive enough. The problem is that love is a tricky thing, and emotions can blind for some time, it’s true. But you must remember some suspicious patterns which are mostly widespread and not fall for them.
I am in trouble!
The Russian girl for marriage you chat to might suddenly appear to be in a terrible situation. It can include anything, starting from law problems, ending with the sudden illness of a close relative. Anyway, the story would be dramatic to assure you that you’re the only person she can rely on, and if you do nothing, she’s gone.
I have been robbed
Just another variation of the previous case: some villain steals a lady’s purse in the street, and you must help her get some cash for a living. No, she can’t lend money from her friends or relatives. Yes, a man overseas is the only person to help, because he likes her very much, doesn’t he?
I want to come
If the girl discovers a wish to come and starts asking for money to pay for her visa/tickets/etc., it’s very likely a scam. No decent girl would agree to be the first to go to foreign country to a man. Be prepared that she’ll disappear after you send the funds, or something will happen, and she’ll delay her arrival and continue milking you.
I have found the most advantageous way!
Another great excuse to ask for money is a sudden discovery of some very attractive travel offer. A lady can tell you that she has found a cheap ticket or service that can help you finally meet. This scheme, of course, excludes the idea of using the dating site’s options.
I have run out of the translation credit
She can’t go on talking to you because she doesn’t have more money to pay for the translation services. No, you can’t pay for that service yourself, just send her the money — that’s what she would want. Remember, many sites have built-in free translators for women, or she can just use google translate.
The schemes may vary, but these are the most popular. The fraudsters can be quite creative when it comes to the reasons why they need financial help.
The alarms
What signals are there to tell you that it must be a scammer you’re talking to? Check out the list of possible signs.
- The lady doesn’t let you fix the situation but only asks for the finances.
- She’s rushing the relationship and is head over heels in love with you in a couple of days.
- She tells extra-dramatic stories about her life, so impressive that they don’t even sound realistic.
- She doesn’t answer the direct questions and tends to be very vague.
How to not get caught
There is little you can do to protect yourself from the scam, but even these small things in a couple with a clear head can prevent the crime happening. So, as an expert, I advise to:
- Not send money to a person you haven’t met before;
- Try to fix the situation for your lady and watch her reaction (if she needs a ticket — tell her you’ll buy this ticket, but not send her money for it);
- Use the option of a video call to see if the person behind the account is even real; scammers usually don’t show their real faces;
- Compare what she says to info from her profile;
- Tell her that you want to come: a girl who is sincerely into you will be glad, and a scammer would probably panic.
Take care
This simple guide cannot guarantee that it’s a 100% anti-scam program, but at least now you are warned and know what to do with those who are trying to trick you.
Being suspicious isn’t bad, but don’t get too far. Love is still there and can be found even among the crowd of fraudsters!
