The romance scammer may take months to build the trust of the victim. They will get to know your life and more personal information. The more the victim feels loved and cared for, the more information he/she will give out.
The intentions of the scammer are all the same. They want something from you and want to build your trust to get it. The types of things they want are different for each scammer.
Romance scammers will use online dating services, Facebook, and even Pinterest with fake profiles to reach their victims. They build a profile they feel will easily attract the opposite sex. Some of the scammers will use the same script each time they find a new victim.
On a small scale, the scammer may eventually ask you for money. They say it’s for their child or a family emergency. They may even say they want to come to visit you, but you will need to send them the money. You have built a trusting relationship with the scammer and want to meet them, so you send money. After receiving the payment, they don’t stop. They may make up an excuse as to why it was not enough money and want you to send more.
Thank you laura for posting this awesome article and I have same opinion with you about scammers. Once upon a time I was a victim by scammers who gives proofs of earning money online and those proofs are also fake. I think online dating scams is also same. Those fraud are playing with victims emotion for their business.
I totally hates those type of scammers and I am happy that you are writing a post against them.
Yes these type of scammers are playing on people’s emotions. And emotions make us all vulnerable. Scammers like these and others have not integrity or morals. It does bother me also.
It’s so sad that people prey on the lonely and target them in the online dating arena. I believe I had an attempted scammer of this sort on Facebook the other day. Someone had friend requested me that was apparently from the town I grew up in. I had never seen this person before so I gave them the benefit of the doubt and added them. I soon got messaged by this person on Facebook Messenger about how I was doing and stuff and then it soon turned into something like “Do you like sexy, hot women?”. I knew where this was going and I quickly said that I just want to date only and not interested in anything else. She then asked about watching her on a webcam and I said no, and goodbye. I’m sure this would’ve led to wanting money some how or trying to meet in person. I will share your article with others so they can read this valuable information on online dating scams.
Oh my Brian, I am so happy you caught onto this scam right a way. She may have been one of the blackmail scammers that I talk about in my article. I too have online dating scammers contact me on Facebook all the time. And even on Pinterest now too. I just want everyone to know about this type of scam so I really appreciate you sharing this article. Thank You
Sad, but true. This type of persons are among us, and we bump into them on each corner, but as you said, we have to be careful and do not get into the trap. The most common scammer I heard about are the ones requesting money for gas and the ones with a sick family member.
I agree, by improving your confidence and self-esteem, you can quickly start an online business which will serve you best for years.
Yes Danny they are every where. Starting an online business is just one way to build self-esteem but is a way that does work and it takes time that we would otherwise spend idle. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to leave a comment. I appreciate you.
Oh my goodness, I totally know a couple of guys who fell victim to this very thing. I didn’t know that it was so common that is was an actual “scam”, but I am not surprised. Both of the guys I know sent thousands of dollars over a period of months to the people who were scamming them.
Wow, it is just so sad that these people (the guys/victims) have such low self-esteem and are socially awkward enough that it makes them such easy targets. These scammers do this to several victims at a time too I am sure. I don’t know how these people can live with themselves.
A very informative article, I hope and pray that the people who really need to see this get it in their site. I know I will be passing it on. Thank you!
Yes, Frank I also have 2 friends that have been victims of online dating scams. They sent all of their life savings to scammers. Both men and women can be victims of these horrible scammers.
I am sure the scammers don’t have a conscience like you and I do. Otherwise, they couldn’t live with themselves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and your comment and especially for passing this on. I want everyone to know about this and not become a victim.