Home

Common Online Dating Scams

Filed under:

Online Dating Scams
Online dating is becoming more popular as the Internet becomes a second home to many singles around the world. If you are looking to dive in or just get your feet wet in the online dating world, there are a few common scams you should be aware of:

1. Spammers roam dating sites in search of email addresses to fill their mailing lists. Be wary of someone who wants you to share your email address right away. Tip: Create a new "fake" email address to use when registered on the site, or when sharing your email with others. This helps protect your real inbox and identity from spam.

2. If you need to specify a phone number, be sure to use your cell phone number. It is not as easily traceable back to your home address and adds a layer of protection.

3. The send money scam. One of the more common international scams is for singles (presumably from other countries) to join dating sites to meet someone.  At some point they then ask you for money so they can come see you. Don't send money to someone you have never met in person, particularly from another country! Even if they proclaim their love for you. Just walk away.

Remember, online dating can be a lot of fun and it really does work, but you need to be careful. Don't give out too much personal information. Drive yourself to the date so you don't need to give your home address and meet in a public place. Most importantly, trust your instincts. When something does not feel right... it probably isn't.




Reader Comments:

Scammed from Nigera, I to

Scammed from Nigera, I to was scammed, not for that much thank God. But this man goes by the Mario Divila, 52 Divorced w/a son Kelvin that lives with him. He says he is an American citizen, but born in Italy. He wears glasses but also shows him in sunglasses holding a small dog. He had a short beird. He works in the construction field. An Architet, told me that he has a big check he can't cash there and needs money. His son was in an auto accidant,and the hospital bills used all of his money that he budgeted for. his yahoo id is mariodavila900 or mario4luv89. He went to match.com set up an account for maybe 2 days. then his profile disappeared.



watch out for larry bomer.

watch out for larry bomer. he claims that he is from south africa, and living in london. says he works for shell oil co, lost his wife in an auto accident 3 years ago and has been celibate since that time. every day there is a new more flattering email from him declaring his undying love for me. he clains to work for shell oil as an environmental engineer. also claims to have purchased a home in west palm beach recently and plans to retire in april 09. claims he is coming to the states to visit in december for an 8 week vacation.6 weeks before retiring? today i received an email stating that instead of going to west palm beach first, he was coming to visit me so that we can spend "quality time" together. i'm going to keep playing this game until i get bored or he asks for money, then i plan to turn him in to local law enforcement. please, be careful - this one thinks he's very smooth. oh, he has a yahoo email address - bolarry50@yahoo.com.



I have been contacted by a

I have been contacted by a georgemccall888. He supposed to be American from MD taking care of orphans in Africa (Nigeria). I got a email from him his, son Jeff had been in a accident and in the hospital and is in a coma and he might lose him. The doctors won't do anything for him without $15000.00. Family has given him some, but he is short can I send him $2000. If not can I cash a check for him, (no bank there). Sounds way familiar to a lot of stories I'm hearing. Watch out for George.



I met a guy from California

I met a guy from California on eharmony. When we finally decided to talk he said he lives in London but is relocating to California. He said his fiance died in a car accident. Then 1 week later he said he was in Singapore handling business but was having difficulties collecting his money and asked could the money be sent to my US account. I told him NO. He seem to get upset at first, then he said he was all alone in this world. I didn't let him know I was thinking it was a scam, but I doubt if he contacts me again. I will report him to the site. By the way he was in the construction business too. If he contacts me again, I will update this site.



Everything now a day is a

Everything now a day is a scam just to get your money.



Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.