How To Know If a Sugar Daddy Is Real

In 2023, online romance scam victims lost around $2,000 on average, which can be a significant hit to a budget in the current economy. While there’s no telling how many of the thousands of fraud victims ran into fake sugar daddies, it pays to remain vigilant and learn to avoid sugar daddy scams.

Are Sugar Daddies Legal?

Sugar daddies are legal, as long as your relationship involves some elements of traditional dating beyond exchanging sexual favors for money. If you go out on a date or receive a gift, your relationship no longer falls under the definition of sex work. Dozens of reputable sugar dating sites operating in the US are another proof of that, including the ones on our shortlist.

Best Sugar Daddy Websites In 2024

• 🔥Secret Benefits — High popularity ensures better match possibilities for sugar daddies and babies.
• SugarDaddy — Streamlined and intuitive interface speeds up dating process.
• Ashley Madison — Large user base increases chances of finding discreet relationships.

🔗 Related article: Choosing The Best Sugar Daddy Website: Top 12 Sugar Dating Sites

How Do Sugar Daddy Scams Work?

Although social media and cash apps are now more popular among sugar daddy scams than gift cards, con artists are often lazy and prefer tried-and-true schemes. Here’s what you can expect to hear from a sugar daddy scammer:

• “Send me $10 so I know you’re a real sugar baby.” Anyone asking you to send money online before an IRL date is a scammer. Ignore and block such requests, even if the arrangements sound very generous.
• “Here’s what you need to do to get money fast.” A fake sugar daddy will offer to teach you the secrets of online gambling or cryptocurrency investment only to steal your money. No investment offering to return 100% in a month is safe.
• “How about we video chat? Here’s a link I set up.” Phishing links will take you to a page that looks like your cash app or bank account website where you’ll get prompts to share your financial details. Once you do, sugar daddy scammers can transfer money right out of your account.
• “I want to see you naked before we meet.” The request may seem natural, but it can also be a ploy to get enough blackmail material to threaten you. If you share intimate photos or videos, make sure your face isn’t visible or recognizable.

To stay on the safe side, keep track of recent developments, like sugar daddy Instagram scams, via relevant subreddits or official reports by the FTC and BBB.

How to Know If a Sugar Daddy Is Real

You cannot be absolutely sure until you meet and get cash in hand, but there are signs of potential trouble. A real sugar daddy or sugar momma does not:

• Share profile photos on social media. Most daters prefer to keep their sugar arrangements secret, but a fake sugar daddy scammer will have no qualms about stealing pictures and posting them under a different name.
• Avoid video calls and messages. They prefer to see sugar babies before an IRL date, so real SDs and SMs will jump at the chance to set up a video chat. Scammers will try to dodge the offer at all costs.
• Put off the first date. Unless they are interested in a platonic online arrangement, real SDs and SMs will be happy to set up a meet and greet to gauge mutual attraction, negotiate the terms, and start a sugar relationship. Fake sugar daddies will try to keep you at arm’s length or stop responding once you offer a date.

You cannot expect your bank or credit card company to protect you from fake sugar daddies. Instead, you should be proactive about your online safety and learn to recognize signs of trouble to avoid losing money.

🎯 More to discover:

• Are There Any Real Sugar Daddies That Pay for Conversation in 2024?
• Top 10 Sugar Daddy Apps to Find Your Match in 2024

This article can contain sponsored content. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and exercise their own judgment before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article.