What Does Scamming Mean for Your Online Dating Experience?

They’re quick to call it love.

Falling in love isn’t hard when you meet the right person.

But sometimes, you can tell when it’s too soon for someone to call their feelings for you “love”. Although this isn’t always the case, it’s normal to be suspicious if someone is quick to drop a ‘love bomb’ on you.

Like a fisherman, a scammer will use the word ‘love’ as bait to reel you in. A scammer who intends to make you think they’re in love with you will not waste any time waiting because it would be easier for them to make you do what they want if you’re already emotionally attached.

They avoid video calls.

When you get to a point in your relationship where you want to see more of the person you’re talking to, you can suggest a video call. If they refuse, it can be a sign that they’re not who they say they are.

Scammers commonly practice “catfishing,” or pretending to be a good-looking person to attract and trick you. Although there is also the possibility that they’re just shy, you should still keep an eye out for any other signs that can confirm your suspicions.

Their stories are not consistent.

A person who isn’t consistent with the stories they’re telling you might be someone who’s looking to scam you.

You might find gaps in the things they share, like a family member who suddenly has a different name or an event that happened differently when they first told you about it. While this doesn’t immediately mean they’re a scammer, it at least proves that they’re being dishonest.

If you realize that you’re not able to trust what the person you’re talking to is saying, then it’s best to be extra vigilant and put safeguards to protect yourself from potential scamming tactics.

They ask for your personal information.

Protecting your personal information is vital in any given situation, but especially when navigating the internet.

Freely sharing private details is how you leave yourself vulnerable to identity theft and romance scams. If the person you met online deliberately asks you for sensitive information, it’s a huge sign that something fishy is going on.

Details like your address, phone number, family members' names, and work history are some of the things that you shouldn’t disclose to people over the internet, even if you feel like you know them well enough already.

They ask for money.

If a person you met online asks you for money out of the blue, then it’s another red flag that they’re trying to scam you.

They may give you reasons such as needing money for medicine for a family member, for hospital bills, or for whatever emergency they can think of.

They will try to tug at your heartstrings to the best of their ability, but you have to remember that you’ve only met this person online. You’re not obligated to give any kind of financial assistance to them. If they threaten to stop communicating with you because of that, then that just proves they’ve had ulterior motives this whole time.

“Is scamming and blackmail the same?”

Blackmail is only one type of scamming method. The most common romance scams usually employ trickery and manipulation, both of which are subtle techniques that allow you to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Blackmail, on the other hand, involves someone directly threatening you into giving them what they want.

“Can some girls look cute to scam you?”

Yes, the women you meet on the internet can appear cute to attract and scam you. Scammers will often portray themselves as attractive people to lure in potential victims.

Don’t let your guard down just because you think she’s attractive or she looks exactly like ‘your type’. Remember that fraudsters will tailor their schemes to people’s common preferences just to make their targets fall for their tricks.

“Is blackmail a felony?”

Blackmail is a felony in most places, though the punishment for this crime can vary depending on the state or country.

For example, the penalty for blackmail may be up to four years in prison or $10,000 in fines in the state of California, while a conviction can carry between two to six years in prison in Colorado.

“What do I do if I’m being blackmailed?”

It’s normal not to know what to do if someone is blackmailing you with photos or any other information.

If you end up becoming a victim of blackmail, you need to stop any and all communication with the perpetrator. Gather whatever evidence you can from your interactions and conversations, and include it when you submit a report to the authorities.