Welcome to the world of online dating! It’s a world full of potential love and romance but also one filled with scammers and con artists looking to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
But fear not, as I am here to arm you with the knowledge you need to protect yourself from the top 10 most common dating scams.
First up on our list is the classic “Nigerian Prince” scam. This one is a doozy and has been around for decades. You may have received an email from a supposed Nigerian prince who needs your help transferring a large sum of money from the country. He only needs your bank account information and a small “processing fee.” Yeah, right. Just delete that email and move on.
Next up, we have the “soldier” scam. Preying on the hearts of patriotic individuals looking to support our troops. Scammers will create fake profiles pretending to be deployed soldiers and ask for money for various expenses. Remember, the military will never ask for money from its members or their families.
Third, on our list is the “catfishing” scam. A scammer creates a fake profile using someone else’s photos and information. They’ll build a relationship with their victim and eventually ask for money. To avoid this, always do a reverse image search on any potential matches and be wary if they refuse to video chat or meet in person.
The fourth scam on our list is the “fake emergency” scam. A scammer will create a sense of urgency and ask for money to cover an emergency expense, such as a medical bill or a plane ticket home. Always verify the story by asking for more information or contacting a trusted friend or family member of the person.
The fifth scam on our list is the “romantic scam.” A scammer creates a fake profile, builds a relationship with their victim, and then asks for money. This can be especially tricky because the scammer will often spend weeks or months building a relationship with their victim. To avoid this, be wary of anyone who quickly professes their love or asks for money.
Sixth, we have the “business opportunity scam.” This is where a scammer will offer a fake business opportunity, such as investing in a new start-up, and ask for money. Always do your research on any business opportunity before investing, and be wary of anyone who guarantees a high return on investment.
Seventh, we have the “Lottery Scam,” where a scammer will contact you, claiming you have won a lottery or sweepstakes but need to pay a fee to claim the prize. Remember, you cannot win a lottery you did not participate in, and no legitimate lottery or sweepstakes will ask for money to claim a prize.
Eighth, we have the “Inheritance Scam,” where a scammer will contact you claiming to be a long-lost relative or lawyer of a deceased person who has left you a large inheritance, but you need to pay a fee to claim it. Remember, in most cases, inheritances are handled through a legal process and not through a random email or phone call.
Ninth, we have the “Phishing Scam,” where a scammer will send you an email or text message posing as a legitimate organization, such as a bank or government agency, and ask you to provide personal information or login credentials. Always be suspicious of unsolicited emails and never click on links or provide personal information without verifying the source.
And last but not least, we have the “Travel Scam,” where a scammer will contact you offering a seemingly too-good-to-be-true travel deal and asking for money upfront to secure the booking. However, the scammer disappears once the money is sent, leaving the victim without a trip or refund. Always research the travel company, read reviews before booking, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
"Beware of those who promise love without proving it, for dating is not just about finding someone to hold hands with, but finding someone who truly holds your
heart and is worthy of it."
Top 10 Most Common Dating Scams Continued
Sixth, we have the “business opportunity scam.” This is where a scammer will offer a fake business opportunity, such as investing in a new start-up, and ask for money. Always do your research on any business opportunity before investing, and be wary of anyone who guarantees a high return on investment.
Seventh, we have the “Lottery Scam,” where a scammer will contact you, claiming you have won a lottery or sweepstakes but need to pay a fee to claim the prize. Remember, you cannot win a lottery you did not participate in, and no legitimate lottery or sweepstakes will ask for money to claim a prize.
Eighth, we have the “Inheritance Scam,” where a scammer will contact you claiming to be a long-lost relative or lawyer of a deceased person who has left you a large inheritance, but you need to pay a fee to claim it. Remember, in most cases, inheritances are handled through a legal process and not through a random email or phone call.
Ninth, we have the “Phishing Scam,” where a scammer will send you an email or text message posing as a legitimate organization, such as a bank or government agency, and ask you to provide personal information or login credentials. Always be suspicious of unsolicited emails and never click on links or provide personal information without verifying the source.
And last but not least, we have the “Travel Scam,” where a scammer will contact you offering a seemingly too-good-to-be-true travel deal and asking for money upfront to secure the booking. However, the scammer disappears once the money is sent, leaving the victim without a trip or refund. Always research the travel company, read reviews before booking, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
Real-Life Examples of Dating Scams
Now that you’re familiar with the top 10 most common dating scams let’s look at a couple of real-life examples to drive the point home.
Example 1: “The Romance Scam”
A Holocaust survivor was swindled out of his life savings by a woman he met on a dating website, according to prosecutors. Peaches Stergo, a 36-year-old Florida woman, was arrested on one count of wire fraud for allegedly duping an 87-year-old man out of over $2.8 million that she used to buy Rolex watches, a boat, and other luxury items, the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York announced. “The defendant callously preyed on a senior citizen simply seeking companionship, defrauding him of his life savings,” said Michael J. Driscoll, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office when announcing the charges. According to CNN, Stergo met the unidentified victim, a then-Manhattan resident, on a dating website six or seven years ago. The alleged scammer, Peaches Stergo, is facing wire fraud charges and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Example 2: “The Travel Scam”
Juan Arteaga, a travel scam mastermind, was sentenced to three years in federal prison in Jacksonville, Florida, for committing wire fraud. He pleaded guilty in November 2022 and could have faced 20 years in prison. Arteaga scammed at least 134 victims, stealing nearly $800,000 from them and leaving some families stranded. The News4JAX I-TEAM began investigating Arteaga three years prior when he lived in Jacksonville. Arteaga admitted to promising discounted trips to friends and business contacts but instead spent the money on himself. At his sentencing hearing, Arteaga was emotional and apologized for his actions. Arteaga’s family and friends testified on his behalf. The judge ordered Arteaga to federal prison for three years, followed by three years of supervised release, and to pay $784,364 in restitution. The Department of Justice will determine which victims receive portions of the restitution.
These real-life examples are a reminder of how easily scammers can manipulate and take advantage of people looking for love and financial gain.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Dating Scams
The world of online dating can be both exciting and dangerous. It’s essential to be aware of the top 10 most common dating scams and how to avoid them. By being informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself from these deceitful con artists and increase your chances of finding true love. We have seen Netflix documentaries of most of these scams.
Remember always to trust your instincts, do your research, and never give out personal information too quickly. And always be on the lookout for red flags, such as requests for money, suspicious behavior, and unrealistic promises.
As the saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” So, always be cautious and take the time to vet anyone you meet online thoroughly.
If you have been scammed, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report the scam to the FTC online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357
We hope this blog has helped educate you on the dangers of online dating scams and has equipped you with the tools to protect yourself.
Happy swiping!
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