Last Updated on March 31, 2023
What is a Romance Scam?
Meeting someone online can be exciting and even life-changing. But there are also risks associated with online dating, such as romance scams. A romance scam is a fraud where someone uses an online dating website or social media platform to exploit unsuspecting users. These scammers create fake profiles, often using stolen images, to lure people into relationships to get money from them. It’s essential to understand how these scams work so that you can avoid becoming a victim.
Romance scams red flags
One of the most common signs that you may be dealing with a romance scammer is if they ask for money. The scammer will often claim to have some financial hardship and appeal for your help. In addition, the scammer may ask for personal information such as your bank account details or passwords. It’s important to remember that no legitimate person would ever ask for this kind of sensitive information online, so it’s best to avoid giving out any personal information that could potentially put you in danger.
Another red flag is if the person is unwilling or unable to meet up in person after several weeks or months of communicating online. This could be because they do not exist and instead use stolen photos or videos from other people to deceive you into believing they are real people. If this happens, it’s best to cut off communication entirely before they can do any harm.
What does a romance scammer do?
A romance scammer manipulates vulnerable people who seek love and affection. They will drown their victims with consistent compliments and attention to the point where their victims feel loved and as though they finally found someone genuinely interested in them. Once trust is built, that is when romance scammers make their move.
They will devise a million excuses about why they need financial help. It could be that they need help with bills, food, gas, travel tickets to visit, etc. Victims often do not find this suspicious because they have formed feelings and think they are only helping out someone they care for.
Things will take a turn once the victim can no longer send money or try to end the relationship. That is when the scammer will harass their victim and try to guilt them into staying or sending more money. In more complex cases, they will threaten to release any personal and private information that the victim shares. If any sexual images or videos are sent, the scammer will use it as blackmail to continue to receive money.
Will a romance scammer video call you?
In short, if a victim wants to video call, a scammer will make up any excuse to avoid video chatting. They might say they are busy, their camera is broken, or their connection is terrible. The closest thing to a video call is them sending a video of themselves through text or other video-sharing platforms like Snapchat, which isn’t them, and instead a video they have stolen from an adult website.
How to stop dating scammers?
The best way to stop dating scammers is to get help from the police and cybercrime experts. Romance scams are illegal and dangerous. The abuse can continue if victims do not seek help, and their financial losses will grow. Make sure to document evidence, avoid sending any more money, and make a report to the police and experts. You can also contact your bank or credit card company to recover the lost money.
Online dating can be an enjoyable experience if done correctly; however, romance scams remain one of the most dangerous threats on the internet today. To protect yourself from these scams, always verify whom you’re talking with before giving out personal information. Never give consistent money in the relationship; these are warning signs that something might be wrong. These safety tips will help ensure your online dating experience remains safe and enjoyable!
Don’t wait, report cybercrime today and help keep yourself and others safe online
