Scammers target online daters
What’s a uk dating scam?
An online dating scam is when a scammer, male or female, creates a false personal profile the contacts multiple users and makes out there looking for love when the only thing on their mind is your money.
Scammers can join any uk dating sites or chat based sites just like anyone else. Many uk dating sites allow users to join for free or a trail period, and don’t really keep an eye on this as new members look better for their advertisements. Scammers take advantage of the anonymity of the internet to create the profile of your perfect match and make any number of promises to attract you and cause you to let your defences down.
So How Do I Know It’s a scam?
The scammer will ask for your money! This won’t happen straight away - however, before long the scammer will ask for financial help via a number of ways. Almost always, they will try and get you to send money using a un traceable source such as a mobile phone top ups and other hidden ways. Here is a list of most of the common ones you will come across and remember to report them to the site so others don’t get caught out.
- I really want to meet you but I can afford the train fares etc
- I have been robbed and beaten, I require urgent surgery or treatment for a serious illness or me or my family member has been a victim of a serious or fatal accident and you are the only person who can help.
- I am stranded overseas and have lost my debit/credit cards and got no over ways of getting home
Other common signs are:
- Your new date looks like a model - this is probably because the scammer has used a stolen or a magazine picture.
- your new date only gives you a post office address and/or a phone number which he or she never answers and which does not have voicemail.
How can I protect myself from UK dating scams?
» Only use a reputable uk online dating or chat websites and use the basic safety for online dating guide. Don’t be stupid ask question like why do you want to meet so soon, why have you got such a great picture but single any more, why don’t you answer your phone call be sceptical and ask yourself simple questions like, ‘why am I the only person who can help them but I have just met them?’
Ive already lost money what can I do?
If you have already sent money there is little chance of you ever recovering it from them. However, be sure to report the scam to the uk dating website or chat room site where you met the person. Also depending on how you gave them money try and contact the provider for example pay pal
Tags: dating scams, online dating, uk dating