Asian Dating Scams You Should Be Aware Of
Dating scams come in many forms and stem from different countries. Asia, in particular, has been linked to many romance scams that involve cyber criminals claiming they want a romantic relationship but only want to take advantage of vulnerable and unsuspecting victims and get to their money. This blog will educate you on the signs of online dating scammers, the most common types, and how to stop the abuse from continuing.
What are the signs of an online dating scammer?
To give yourself a stronger chance of avoiding online dating scams, here are signs to look out for when on your love search.
Fake Profile Picture
A good rule of thumb is that if someone’s pictures look sketchy on their dating app profile or social media page, they might be trying to hide something. Scammers are known for stealing other people’s pictures, but there comes a time when they don’t have enough photos of the same person, so they will try to use people who look similar and claim them as the same people. To hide the differences, they will sometimes even try to obscure the images.
Immediate Requests for Money
Scammers try to get money from victims immediately by making up an emergency or asking for money directly. If someone does this early in your conversation, it’s likely best to end communication immediately and block them from your accounts.
Unrealistic Love Statements
If someone you just met online is professing their undying love for you after only a few conversations, it’s likely they don’t mean what they say—they’re simply trying to gain your trust and sympathy so they can ask for money later on down the line. Be wary of anyone who seems too eager too soon!
Other red flags include requests for personal information like bank account numbers or Social Security numbers; promises of marriage; inconsistencies between what they tell you and what shows up in their background check; and references to overseas investments or business ventures that sound too good to be true. It’s also wise not to accept checks from someone you’ve never met in person—they could quickly bounce and leave you with unpaid fees from your bank account later on down the line. Finally, if something about them doesn’t seem right, trust your gut and move on! Plenty of genuine people are looking for romantic partners—you don’t need to waste time with someone who isn’t honest about who they are.
Top dating scams in 2023
Asian dating scams come in many forms, so learning which ones have become some of the most common online threats is beneficial. Here are three scams you should be aware of.
Romance Scams
The most common type of scam seen in Asia is the romance scam. This involves someone posing as a potential romantic partner and asking their victim for money or personal information. These scammers often create elaborate stories about why they need money, such as medical bills or travel expenses. They may even go so far as to create fake documents or websites to make their story seem more legitimate. If you come across someone who seems too good to be true and requests money from you, you’re likely dealing with a romance scammer.
Cryptocurrency Scams
On top of luring victims with promises of love and commitment, Asian scammers will also manipulate their victims into investing in cryptocurrency investments. They may claim that they have access to insider information that guarantees a high return on your investment. This is usually followed by requests for personal or financial information or even money upfront to get started. Needless to say, this is a scam; no one has access to “insider information” about cryptocurrency, and any money sent will never be recovered.
Wrong Number Scams
Asian scammers can access data leaks and breaches and phone numbers in those leaks. Wrong number scams involve them contacting a random phone number pretending they are trying to reach their friend. They will send a message along the lines of, “Hey Chris, are you still down to hang out Saturday?” then, once a victim responds, claiming they have the wrong number, the scammer will apologize and make light of the situation. They will then try to form a connection. You will be surprised at how many people go along with the conversation and even develop relationships where they manipulate their way into their victims’ pockets.
How to stop and report a dating scammer
Asian dating scams can be a serious issue, and taking the necessary steps to protect yourself and your personal information is important.
The best way to stop a scammer is to contact cyber experts, investigators, and police. Your first step should be to locate your local police station and make a report. To further ensure your complaint receives the attention it deserves, you should also file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
You can also hire a professional investigator for more specialized help combating cybercrime. You can speak to one of our online representatives to learn how Cyber Investigation and one of our cyber investigators can help you overcome your cybercrime. If you become a victim of sextortion, contact our sextortion helpline
