{"id":19335,"date":"2019-10-04T06:12:17","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T13:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/datemixstaging.wpengine.com\/?p=19335"},"modified":"2021-05-31T08:32:31","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T15:32:31","slug":"online-dating-scams-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/online-dating\/online-dating-scams-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Dating Scams: More Things Scammers Will Say to Trick You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever been the victim of an online dating scam, or heard of someone being conned out of money by a criminal posing on an online dating site?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of us have heard of someone who has been fooled in an online dating scam, and that\u2019s because scammers target people across all demographics on every dating platform out there.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody is safe.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although older people are targeted more frequently, it doesn\u2019t really matter what demographics you fit<\/span>\u2014<\/span>if you date online, you\u2019ll encounter scammers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of dating apps as well as user numbers continue to rise, which means scammers have a much larger net to cast.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few of the most common ways scammers will try and trick you on a dating site or app.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The falling hard scam
\n<\/b>In this scam, you\u2019ll find them falling fast and hard, in what seems to be a fairytale romance you only see in the movies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ll rush to move things off the dating site by asking for your phone number, or connecting on social media. They\u2019ll quickly initiate a date, only to flake out on you at the last minute. They might repeat this a couple times. Meanwhile, they\u2019re scoping you out, testing your patience levels, and seeing how kind you are.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, they\u2019ll attempt to take advantage of your good nature by inventing an extreme situation which they need money for. Maybe their mother has gotten sick, or they\u2019re working abroad and want to get home to see you, or their bag got stolen on the train.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever you do, do not give money to anyone you haven\u2019t met in person.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dating bot scam
\n<\/b>There are now scripted computer codes which allow scammers to create fake profiles, match with real users, and send automated messages. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These will often try and redirect you off the dating site, or encourage you to give out credit card or bank account information<\/span>\u2014<\/span>usually within minutes of connecting. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also the risk of malware being installed on your computer or mobile device, which will attempt to steal your sensitive information.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because they aren\u2019t run by an actual human, they can be fairly easy to spot. Low resolution images, limited images or information, and sketchy conversation lines that don\u2019t make much sense are all indications you might be talking to a bot.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do come across an online dating bot, stop your conversation immediately, and report them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oldie scam
\n<\/b>The final type of common dating scam is when someone poses as an attractive young man or woman, and tries to prey on someone older, who is likely to be vulnerable or isolated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scammers will either get the victim to divulge sensitive information such as credit card details, or they\u2019ll ask them to purchase expensive gifts for them. Then they\u2019ll either commit fraud, or they\u2019ll sell the gifts once receiving them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be wary when using dating sites, and remember<\/span>\u2014<\/span>if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s strange for someone 20 years younger than you to even be looking at profiles of someone 20 years their senior.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re unsure, you can always search their profile photo in google and see what comes up. If their photo is accompanied by a different name elsewhere, they\u2019re probably a scammer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what should you be looking out for to protect yourself from being the victim of an online dating scam?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red flags to look out for:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n