Dating Scams
Uncovering Deception. Protecting Hearts. Restoring Trust.
Dating scams prey on individuals seeking connection and companionship, exploiting emotions to perpetrate financial fraud. These scams often involve fake profiles, fabricated stories, and emotional manipulation designed to gain victims’ trust before requesting money or sensitive information.
How Dating Scams Started
Dating scams have evolved alongside the rise of online dating platforms and social media. While romantic fraud has existed for centuries—often through letters or personal meetings—the internet dramatically expanded scammers’ reach and sophistication. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, as online dating sites became popular, fraudsters began exploiting these platforms to create fake profiles and prey on vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.
The anonymity and accessibility of the internet allow scammers to fabricate elaborate stories and manipulate emotions on a large scale. Over time, dating scams have become more complex, incorporating psychological tactics that make victims less likely to question their abusers and more willing to send money or share personal information.
Common Types of Dating Scams
Romance Scams: Scammers build emotional relationships over weeks or months, gaining trust before requesting money for emergencies, travel, or business ventures.
Sugarbaby Scams: Fraudsters pose as wealthy benefactors offering financial support or lavish gifts in exchange for companionship but demand upfront fees or personal information.
Military Romance Scams: Scammers impersonate military personnel deployed overseas, using fabricated stories of hardship to solicit money.
Inheritance and Legal Trouble Scams: Fraudsters claim to have access to large inheritances or legal settlements but need financial help to unlock funds.
Travel Scams: Scammers promise to visit or reunite with the victim but request money for plane tickets, visas, or other expenses.
Blackmail and Sextortion: After gaining trust, scammers obtain compromising photos or information and threaten to release them unless paid.
Warning Signs to watch out for
Rapid Declarations of Love: Expressions of intense feelings early in the relationship can be a tactic to lower your guard.
Requests for Money or Financial Help: Any request for funds, especially for emergencies or travel, should raise suspicion.
Avoidance of In-Person Meetings or Video Calls: Persistent excuses to avoid meeting face-to-face or video chats may indicate deception.
Inconsistent or Vague Stories: Frequent contradictions or evasiveness about personal details are red flags.
Pressure to Keep the Relationship Secret: Scammers often discourage sharing details with friends or family.
Poor Grammar or Spelling: While not definitive, many scam profiles contain language errors or awkward phrasing.
Requests for Personal Information: Sharing sensitive data like Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords is risky.
Education and caution are crucial. Verify profiles through reverse image searches, insist on video calls early, and never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. Be wary of anyone asking for financial help or personal information. Report suspicious behavior to dating platforms and authorities promptly.