Safe or scam? Romance Scams
Online dating scams are a growing concern for individuals who use dating websites and dating apps to find prospective partners. These scams can be financially and emotionally devastating for the victim, and they can also be difficult to detect. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of online dating scams, how to spot them, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Almost all romance scams begin online, on dating sites/apps or sometimes chat rooms. It is common for the scammer to want to move the conversation away from the original dating site quite quickly. They may say that they only want to speak with you and delete their account in the first few days of speaking.
Usually, the scammer will build a relationship for a few weeks before mentioning money. They will find common interests as you and try to make you feel comfortable speaking with them about more sensitive topics. Often, they will say that they have been through the same or similar experiences as you to create the illusion of common ground in an attempt to gain your trust and affection.
It is common that these scammers have jobs working away from their home. Some examples of these are:
Doctors or medical personnel typically working in war zones or travelling a lot
Soldiers in the army, also serving in a war zone
Business People travelling to different countries for work
The scammer will have orchestrated a scenario that may seem very believable. They may send you pictures of them in uniform, discuss sensitive information about their job or even send you pictures of their ID in an attempt to confirm their story. The scammer may also bring other characters into your conversations which may also make it more convincing, this could be a child of theirs or a parent. They will use these characters to corroborate the reasons behind asking you to send money.
In other cases, some other characters that get involved tell you they are solicitors, the authorities, customs or even delivery/shipping companies who require you to pay bills on behalf of the person you are speaking to.
Often, they will make promises that they will be able to provide or care for you when you are together. This could also be used as an excuse for asking for more money.
Another common theme we see in these scams is when they ask for money to help them receive an inheritance that they are due. They may suggest that they are required to pay fees for a will or release fees for the inheritance to be handed over to them.
Sometimes the scammers will pose as a celebrity. The scammer will track stories of said celebrity and tell you what they are doing. This can then be researched by you online, which makes the story seem more believable.
So, how do you check if it is SAFE or a SCAM?
Here is a summary of the red flags to look out for if you are speaking with someone who you have met online:
🚩The person is unwilling to meet in person, video chat or send regular photos
🚩The person's profile or photos seem too good to be true
🚩The person asks for money, or puts pressure on your for money by telling you about emergency situations they need your help getting them out of
🚩The scammer is asking for steam cards or gift cards
🚩The person is always available to chat, even at odd hours
🚩They say they are a celebrity but they are asking you for money
🚩They say their bank is blocked and can’t access funds. They may send you ‘proof’ of what is in their bank to show they can pay you back when they have access to their bank again
🚩They may bring in other characters in an attempt to show it is genuine - like speaking to a parent or work colleague who will confirm the scammers story
🚩They require you to pay a fee to release them from the Military
Checks you can do if you are unsure if someone you are speaking to is legitimate:
You can reverse image search the images to see if they have been taken from somewhere else
If something feels wrong, speak with your friends and family about it. Trust your instincts
Google search the person’s name and ‘scam’
Check out their social media accounts. If they have only recently been created or don’t have very much content this could be suspicious
They are asking you for personal information, such as your home address, workplace or financial details
You should be very cautious of sending money to someone that you have only ever met online.
If you are ever unsure whether or not you may be speaking with a scammer, call the number on the back of your bank card and speak to your bank’s fraud team. They may be able to help you assess the situation.
It is also important to remember that online dating scams can happen to anyone, regardless of your age, gender, or financial status. Remember to always trust your instincts and be cautious when sharing personal information or money with someone you meet online.
I have lost money to an online dating scam, can I get my money back from my bank?
If you have lost money to this type of scam, Refundee can help you get your money back from your bank and you can fill in our fraud refund claim form for a free consultation. Our fee is 15% plus VAT on anything that we get back, and we don't charge anything if we are not successful. For larger cases, the fee is subject to a maximum of £10k plus VAT per case.
Remember you don’t need to use a company like Refundee, you could work your case yourself for free! If you’d like to get a refund yourself, you can do this by following our bank transfer refund guide here: https://www.refundee.com/claim-yourself
