Dating Scams

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:11 am

http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Scams/On ... +scams.htm

What is it?

An online dating scam is when a scammer, male or female, creates a false personal profile and makes contact with you via an online dating agency or even a specialised chat room. The scammer says that they are seeking romance or a soul mate but are really out to steal not only your heart but your cash too.

Scammers can sign up to online dating agencies or chat rooms just like anyone else. Many online dating sites allow anyone to join for free, and they usually do not screen their members. 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.

How do I know it is a scam?

The scammer will ask for your money! This will not happen immediately - however, before long the scammer will ask for financial help for any number of reasons. Almost always, they will ask you to send money using an untraceable source such as a telegraphic money transfer. Some of the most common reasons they give for why they need your help include:

* I want to meet you but I don't have enough money to travel to see you (or attend Burningman)
* 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 abroad and I don't have money for travel or visa costs.

A word to the wise.

nogganoodle · Post by **nogganoodle** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:31 am

Has this happened to you? I've had a few people with sob stories asking for money over on my Tribe account but have just ignored them.

Almost · Post by **Almost** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:15 pm

wait a minute...so that incredibly attractive woman who sent me her picture and told me she wanted to come visit me and make all my wildest dreams come true, but just needed $300 to rent a car was all a scam?

*sigh*

I just never saw it coming. Why would a woman lie like that? I feel so manipulated.

Miss_Malibu · Post by **Miss_Malibu** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:40 pm

Theres this other scam going round aswell...If a man comes to your front door and says he is conducting a survey and asks you to show him your tits DO NOT SHOW HIM YOUR TITS. This is a scam and he is only trying to SEE YOUR TITS.

Please warn other tit owners that their tits may be at risk.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:51 pm

Miss_Malibu wrote:Theres this other scam going round aswell...If a man comes to your front door and says he is conducting a survey and asks you to show him your tits DO NOT SHOW HIM YOUR TITS. This is a scam and he is only trying to SEE YOUR TITS.

Please warn other tit owners that their tits may be at risk.

Whew. You warned me just in time. A man was at my door just now. Before he could even say anything I told him that I wasn't going to show him my tits, and drew a gun on him. He ran away. Whom did he think he was fooling with that postal worker uniform?

Otisserie · Post by **Otisserie** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:39 pm

You're absolutely right. That's why I've arranged for a hotel room in which to meet the 15-year-old girl I met online and have been sending naked pictures to. Since I didn't send her any money, nothing can possibly go wrong.
Wish me luck!

Davoid · Post by **Davoid** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:23 pm

To avoid this, my hard and fast rule is to only date myself. For example, do you guys remember that TV show "Love, American Style"? And did you ever eat a Reggie bar?

Also, beware of any religious fundamentalists trying to tell you that dinosaur bones were planted by the Devil, what they call "the carbon dating scam."

Dating Scams

Dating Scams

be careful