Don't get roped in by a smooth love scam operator
Online Daters in Danger?
At some point or another, all sectors of the internet will become tainted. The bad news for online daters is that the online dating scene is slowly being overtaken by love scam operations. Love scams are more common than most people think. In fact, many online daters have encountered love scam operators without even knowing it; the virtual relationship may have ended before the love scam operator had a chance to stiff their online lover. Below, you’ll find several tips on identifying love scam operators.
Signs of a Love Scam
The first sign that you’re chatting with a love scam operator is that they’ll be located in African countries, such as Nigeria or Kenya. Love scam operators typically will send pictures of extremely attractive people, which appear to be American models. To top it off, they’re barely able to hold a cohesive conversation and the emails will more than likely contain many, many misspellings. Even at the start of an online relationship, this should be a dead giveaway that you’re dealing with a love scam. How would someone that was born and raised in Nigeria look just like an attractive American model (and might even be in an American home, high school or college throughout the photos you’re shown) yet have trouble spelling at an elementary level? Use your gut. If you smell something fishy, end the communications immediately; you’re most likely dealing with a love scam operator.
If you continue into a virtual relationship with a love scam operator, your wallet will eventually be hit up for cash… a fairly substantial amount of cash. But, the con artists behind the love scams aren’t idiots; they’ll wait until you trust them and may have even developed strong romantic feelings before they ask for money. This may take anywhere from three to twelve months, but love scam operators are willing to commit to schmoozing you for that amount of time in order to be compensated.
CJ
on Jan 21st, 2010
@ 12:58 pm:
I had several red flags lately in emails from “tom taylor” who I have been emailing and chatting with back and forth, so I was kind of not surprised that i got the nigerian love letter from him.
I reported him to match. com, blocked him as a contact in all areas, deleted him, and changed all my passwords.
I never gave him my password, but he was in my live messenger. Are they any dangers I should be further aware of? I really appreciate your help.
admin
on Jan 21st, 2010
@ 1:03 pm:
I wouldn’t worry. If you haven’t given this love scam artist any information, then you are most likely to be fine.
pam goodin
on Feb 22nd, 2010
@ 11:54 pm:
i am concerned about a guy named barry wayne from the UK. met him on facebook and new there was something fishy. figured i’d go along with and see how far i could string him along and waste his time. sure enough after about 7-8 weeks. he had business in nigeria and while there got mugged and robbed. of course he needed money to get back to UK. i refused and didnt hear from him again for about 4 weeks. started chatting again and i noticed on his wall that he was romancing yet another woman. this one from alabama. she thought they were madly in love. i felt i had to warn her. i left a message on barry’s wall telling him that i was now in a position to help if he needed any assistance. by the next morning i had several messages telling me not to give him any money that it was a scam. i already new this but the other woman was devoted to him. i have since convinced her otherwise but now he has started up an identical facebook account in my name. i cant delete it and now im worried that he will go to the next level and use that account to scam my friends. if they think its me asking for money they may get scammed. is there anyone i can talk to about this. ive blocked and reported him on msn. and i’ve tried to report him on facebook but i fear he will just start up another account and continue scamming. how can these scumbags be stopped permanently
michaella hebert
on Feb 23rd, 2010
@ 10:29 pm:
hello i know that as of this moment the person i’m talking to online is actually a fruadulant person that is ussing or stole another persons indentety i dont know what to do right noe can you please help me,his IP source states its from nigeria and he is possing as a soldier in afghanistan,please help i want to get him good
AF
on Feb 26th, 2010
@ 2:07 am:
John Stanley, James Williams – “single nigerian men with a daughter”. I have met them online about 2 month ago. One of them have requested me for money for his sick mother , another havent ask me for money but claiming he is from UK his English is very poor. They know my mobile phone number. I have sent some photos on John Stanley e-mail. He is also in my Yahoo messanger. There is also one Nigerian Adewale Folarin. It seems I felt in love with him after not so long time of communication. But he doesnt bother me with any requests. What should I do? How can I protect myself ? I am not intended to give a cent to them. But I am in anxiety with these 3 persons. If you can help me with some advice I will be very gratefull for that.
admin
on Mar 3rd, 2010
@ 5:15 pm:
Contact your local authorities immediately and do not give any other information. Federal authorities usually have the most advice on how to handle your situation. THey will then also have this incident on record.
Dani
on Jul 2nd, 2010
@ 10:12 pm:
Peter James, supposedly, living in Juneau,Alaska, had to go to Nigeria as his Dad was ill. Some of the most beautiful e-mail you can imagine, then needs money to help pay for his dads surgery, then the doctor that did surgery would like an acct. set up on a dating site, you will only have to pay for 3 mo.. then will want you to send money so he can come to see you. Wife died 2yrs ago in Ireland, mother died 5yrs ago. Dad moved back to Nigeria as he is of nigerian heritage (RED FLAG), but Peter himself was born and raised in Canada. When he calls you will notice that he doesn’t have a canadian accent. Please Beware!! Any woman in the world could fall for his beautiful words, there is never mentioned anything in the sexual manner, Just beautifu; words and poetry.
Nelly
on Jul 21st, 2010
@ 11:37 am:
Agreed, Contact your local authorities immediately and please change your phone number and email account. And never, never send any money to them.
And one important thing don’t lost any more time with them.
julie
on Jul 21st, 2010
@ 12:32 pm:
Look out for James Brooke he is a scammer. Clams to own a business in UK and Florida and needing to go the Nigera for business. When there he is out bid on the project and needs addition fund to win the contract but CC wont work and cant get wire transfer until the next day…next money western unioned to someone elses name…FISHY = Smam