What would you do if someone reached out to you on social media or any other platform and straight away asked you for money? You would probably be skeptical and block that person. Maybe you would also report them to the platform or even the police. So, there’s very little chance that scammers will earn anything by being straightforward about their intentions. That’s why they use more elaborate methods to trick victims out of their money. And a romance scam is one of these methods.
If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ve probably heard of the latest romance scam involving Brad Pitt. A 53-year-old woman, Anne, was scammed out of €830,000 by someone who, as she thought, was a famous actor known for his roles in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Fight Club, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, and other widely admired films. Little did she know that the person behind the screen didn’t have anything to do with Pitt and used AI to generate the hilarious pictures that are now circulating online.
And even though this case had many internet users laughing hysterically at the overly edited AI pictures, there are scammers who use much more convincing methods to dupe their victims. So, what are some of the most common signs of romance scams to be aware of?
What Gives Away a Romance Scammer
1. Suspicious Profiles on Dating Sites or Social Media: Both dating app scams and romance scams on social media have a common feature — suspicious profiles. Of course, when a con artist is too determined to trick a victim, they may do all it takes to make their profile look genuine. However, in most cases, overly edited pictures, stock photos, no or very little online presence, generic bio, and too many (or too few) friends mean that the account is very likely run by a romance scammer.
2. They’re Too Quick to Express Love: When you’re dating someone, you expect them to be paced and deliberate. A considerate partner doesn’t rush things, especially when they see that the person may need more time to process their feelings. Romance scammers, on the other hand, act way too quickly. And the reason for this is the fear of losing the bait. If you see phrases like “I feel like I’ve known you forever,” “You’re the one I’ve been waiting for,” “I can’t imagine my life without you,” or anything similar after a day or two of texting with an online date, proceed with caution.
3. Reluctance to Meet in Person: It’s natural to want to meet in person after texting on a dating app for a while. Scammers, however, don’t want this to happen (for obvious reasons—they’ll get exposed). So, they come up with different excuses as to why they can’t go on a date in real life. These excuses primarily include work or business trips, military deployment, health issues or medical emergencies, family problems, financial constraints, you name it.
4. Requests for Money: This is a classic giveaway of romance scammers. Sometimes, without even getting to know you, they immediately start asking for money, primarily through untraceable methods to avoid being traced. Smarter con artists, on the other hand, wait for the right moment to appear more convincing. They may claim to need funds for medical bills, solving a sudden problem, or traveling to meet you in person. Many victims, unfortunately, fall for this.
5. Inconsistent Stories: Imagine talking to many different people at the same time and having the necessity to keep up with plenty of different stories. Quite a hard nut to crack, isn’t it? That’s why scammers usually can’t stay on track with what they say, and this is convenient for those who are still doubting whether the person behind the screen is genuine. For instance, they may find it difficult to remember the work or occupation they mentioned at the beginning. Location details, financial situations, and personal history are other details they may overlook in the long run.
6. Too-Good-to-Be-True Stories: To lure victims, romance con artists often create an idealized persona that seems perfect to those they communicate with. In their stories, they’re usually rich, successful businessmen (or women) looking for a partner. They quickly shower their victims with compliments and affection, and when the victim gets emotionally invested, they start playing a more serious game.
How to Protect Yourself From Romance Scams
Be Cautious With Online Interactions: No matter how genuine someone seems, and no matter how convicting their messages are, it’s a good idea to verify their identity before replying. Carefully check their profile for any suspicious signs, such as overly edited pictures or very low social activity, to make sure they are someone they claim to be.
Never Send Money or Personal Information: Remember, romance scammers have one goal — to trick you into sending money or personal information (bank account details, passwords, Social Security number, etc.). That’s why giving these away to someone online is equal to walking outside and giving your money to the first stranger you see. It especially should raise concerns if your online date starts asking for financial help right away.
Don’t Fall For Pressure Tactics: To make sure the victim doesn’t get off the hook, scammers take advantage of pressure tactics. Some of the most common ones include a sense of urgency, fear, and guilt. Playing the victim, threatening to cut contact, or exploiting the victims’ loneliness or insecurities are other red flags to keep in mind.
Don’t Believe What They Say: If you’re a gullible person, this one may seem quite hard. However, it’s essential to learn how to tell the difference between a genuine online date and a fake one. The latter usually comes up with different implausible stories they eventually can’t keep up with. So, if you’re genuinely interested in someone, pay careful attention to what they say.
Romance scams aren’t new. However, many people are still becoming victims for many different reasons. Steering clear of romance scammers requires careful consideration and attention. It’s also necessary to stay updated on the latest news regarding these scams and effective tactics to prevent them.
