Dating and romance scams are becoming increasingly common, with criminals taking advantage of people’s desire for companionship and love. Romance scammers create fake identities on dating sites or social media platforms to gain the trust of their victims and then use that trust to defraud them.
Romance scams typically follow a pattern:
Dating and romance scammers will adopt a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. They then use the fake profiles on dating sites or contact you through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook.
When scammers reach out to their victims, often through a dating site or social media platform, they present themselves as affectionate people interested in a romantic relationship.
They often use emotional language to build trust with their victims, such as professing love or saying they are “the one”. They may also send gifts or ask for money, claiming they need it for emergencies or medical bills.
They usually craft an elaborate persona, making it seem too good to be true. Once they have gained the victim’s trust, they will ask for money or personal information such as bank account details or credit card numbers.
The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic relationship to manipulate and defraud their victims. Recognising the warning signs of a romance scam is essential to protect yourself from becoming a victim. For example, be wary if someone contacts you out of the blue and claims to have strong feelings for you quickly; this is often a sign that something is wrong. Also, be cautious if someone asks for money or personal information early on in your relationship; this could be a red flag that they are trying to scam you.
It is essential to be aware of the warning signs of romance scams. For example, if someone you have never met in person starts professing their love for you after only a few conversations, this should raise red flags. Additionally, if someone asks for money or personal information such as banking details, this is a sign that something is wrong. It is also important to be wary of any requests from someone asking you to keep your relationship secret from family and friends.
How to protect yourself from a Romance Scam:
To protect yourself from romance scams, it is essential to do research before engaging with anyone online. Use reputable websites when looking for potential partners, and always verify the other person’s identity before meeting them in person or sending them money. Also, be cautious if someone claims they are overseas but can’t meet you in person due to travel restrictions – this could be a sign that they are not who they say they are. Finally, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
If you think you may be talking to a romance scammer, do not give them any money or personal information. Instead, report them to the authorities immediately and block them from contacting you further. It is also important to stay vigilant when using online dating sites by researching potential matches before engaging with them and never sending money without verifying their identity first.
Argus Investigations can assist you by conducting a due diligence investigation on the person you are speaking with to confirm their true identity and who they are.
Falling victim to a romance scam can be emotionally draining and embarrassing. At Argus investigations, we understand the psychological tactics used by these criminals and are here to help you with no judgment. All enquiries will be handled with the strictest confidence.