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How to Avoid Dating Scams

How to Avoid Dating Scams and Frauds

At Bridesandlovers.com we work hard to maintain the integrity and quality of our site using both human and electronic monitoring techniques we sre constantly updating and modifying our security measures. We recently added "CupidGuard" as a further screening technique. However, from time to time, a scammer may get past our net. To avoid problems we urge you to be vigilant and always report any members you believe to be fake using the "Report abuse" buttons . Remember, developing a relationship with a woman from another country can be exciting and fulfilling. Using an international dating site like Bridesandlovers.com adds an exciting dimension by helping you connect with women you otherwise wouldn’t be able to know. We strive to provide a quality online dating experience for all our members, which includes helping you avoid scammers who operate on online dating sites.

 

What is a typical scam?

 

A scam is a fraudulent business scheme to defruad online daters. A typical “romance scam” works like this, a person fakes romantic intentions toward a victim to win his or her affection, then uses the goodwill and trust to commit fraud such as gaining access to cash, bank accounts, passports, e-mail accounts. Usually the scammer will try to get the victim to send them cash via Western union.

Scammers can be very persistent when trying to take advantage of you. They will often spend weeks or months trying to build trust before they will scam you. If you end up talking to someone who turns out to be a scammer, it’s natural to feel disappointed and let down, especially if you had high hopes for the relationship, but  you should not put it off any plans to find an International partner. If you keep in mind the following advice the chances of being scammed will drop dramatically. Much is just common sense, it is very easy to spot a scammer using your common sense.

 

The Common Scam Scenarios

Travel, Visas and Tickets – The Classic Scams

 

Often a scammer will say she is interested in coming to visit you but needs money for a visa and plane tickets. She will be persistent about meeting you and will insist that she travel to you often even saying it is not safe to visit her country. She will ask you to send money to her usually via western Union. In reality she has no intention of ever visiting you and just wants to collect the cash from you.

 

Accident or Trouble Scam

 

A scammer will spend much time gaining your trust , as soon as she has gained your trust , she may try to play with your emotions by saying something terrible has happened to her or her family. She might say she was robbed of all her money, her passport was stolen or lost and she needs a new one. She might also claim that her mother, father or other close relative had a stroke and she needs help paying for hospital treatments . In short, beware of any “emergency” situation that she comes up with and asks you to send her some money in a rush. 

 

Translation Scam the common one!

 

You may find yourself corresponding with a woman who appears very beautiful whose native language is not English. She will often send you sexy pictures of herself on her profile to try to catch your heart. She will say she has been contacted by the translation agency she uses to communicate with you about her unpaid bill, and that she can no longer afford to pay for translation services. Then she will ask you to send her some money often via Western Union so she can continue speaking to you! This is a translation common scam. It is always best to try to chat with ladies who at least have some level of English language and bear in mind many young women speak English very well from FSU Countries. There is no need for any translation services.

 

A claim of being “trapped” in a situation

 

If you start speaking to a women who seems to have many personal problems and this women seems more than interested in becoming close with you and later she says she feels trapped in a terrible situation at home, has no future in her country or problems with her ex husband or some thing like this, always beware. This could be a scammer appealing to your compassionate heart who will soon come round to asking you for money. It is just better to stay away from any women with any problems.

 

Fake travel agencies and websites

 

A woman might claim she knows travel agents who offer cheap deals and she will ask you to use this travel agent to buy any tickest for her.. These are likely scammers with elaborate fake websites to trick you into thinking they are legitimate. You will receive emails from the travel agent who will discuss travel options and pricing with you. These types of websites and emails are easy to set up and operate, so beware. If you are buying any tickest for a lady you met online firstly be very sure you know this lady , better still meet her first in her own country! Always buy tickets from an agent in your own country and send to the lady should you wish to do this. 

 

General Signs You May Be a Victim of an Online Scam

 

Here are the general indications that you maybe speaking to a scammer already.

  • The person asks for money to purchase  expensive items such as plane tickets, visa fees, medical expenses, marriage annulment fees and many other related items.
  • The person asks you to assist with transactions such as depositing funds, shipping merchandise, etc.
  • The person talks about being "trapped" in a situation at home or a foreign country and asks you to help by purchasing plane tickets or sending money.
  • The person reports a sudden personal crisis and asks you to help out be sending some money, usually by Western Unuion.
  • The person asks to borrow money, sometimes only a small amount. We recommend that you never loan money to someone you've just met, regardless of his or her story.
  • The person gives vague answers to specific questions (e.g., job, interests) or tells stories with inconsistencies or grandiosity.
  • The person “falls in love” with you within a couple of days. While it is possible to fall in love at first sight, be very cautious if you are asked to show your love by buying a plane or bus ticket or sending money to her for an expensive gift.
  • The person seems too good to be true you can be sure she is a fake.
  • The person says that an expensive gift is on its way to you and asks that you pay customs taxes to the courier , usually the courier will be fake or you will get a fake e mail from a fake shipping company.

 

General precautions

 

  • Never send money, especially through an irreversible means such as Western Union or Moneygram, If you do you can be sure you will never get it back.
  • Make sure her profile matches things she says. If she says she’s from Russia but her profile says Ukraine, pay attention to this and other inconsistencies in her story, even small details like what she said she does for work and information about family members, as well as something more significant such as saying she lives in two different countries always use common sense.
  • Verify her address by sending her a gift by mail, then you can see if she’s received it by asking careful questions in your correspondence.
  • Talk to her using a free web cam service such as Skype.  You can also use Whats app , if she says she does not have a "smart phone" you can be nearly sure she is not telling the truth, even young children in FSU countries have smart phones these day! You can buy one for $50 even less.
  • If you offer to visit her in her country, take note of how she responds. If she is genuine, she will be thrilled you want to come. If she is a scammer, she will continue to ask about money instead of wanting to meet you.
  • If she really does need money for something and you are more than confident she is honest then buy the item yourself and have it delivered, never send money so she can buy the item herself. Any genuine women would NEVER ask a total stranger to send money, if she is even hinting at sending any money you should drop her straight away.

 

In-Person Scams

 

In-person scams are less common, but they do exist. If you are traveling to meet a woman for the first time, this assumes you have developed enough trust to do so. But sometimes a person’s willingness to trust can make him vulnerable to scams. Pay attention to these signs that may indicate a problem:

  • She seeks expensive gifts and getaways. Gifts such as jewelry, money and a trip to an expensive hotel or resort are common requests from in-person scammers. An honest woman might offer to help with expenses and contribute what she can.
  • She seems preoccupied with money, not you. If she seems overly interested in what is in your wallet or bank account instead of finding out more about you, this is a red flag.
  • She handles bookings and pays. If your match offers to book arrangements, it’s easy for her to say something cost more than it did. For example, she may say the hotel room cost $250 a night when it was only $50 and keep the extra money. Until you are sure she is trustworthy, you should handle all bookings, especially if you are the one who is paying.
  • She talks about financial troubles and asks for help. If your match starts talking about financial hardships and implies she might need help, don’t give in. Common stories include a family emergency or saying that to buy her ticket to meet you she had to pawn valuable items like her grandmother’s jewelry or her late mother’s wedding ring – stories that will tug at your heartstrings. If this happens, show sympathy in case she is being honest, but explain that you aren’t in a position to help her financially. After you’ve said no, her behavior over the next few days should reveal if she is a scammer.

 

Money is the big tip-off: Be very careful when it comes to money matters

 

Scammers start by spending a significant amount of time messaging and gaining your trust. They pose as beautiful women and act extremely charming – then one day you’ll get a message asking for money for something. Never give money to anyone you haven’t met regardless of how trustworthy the woman may seem. Here we recap important tips about money:

  • Never send money to anyone you have met online but not yet in person. Examples of scams include requests for payments for plane tickets, legal and visa fees, medical expenses, marriage annulment fees, money transfers, deposits and withdrawals.
  • If you feel you must assist a woman with a plane ticket, always buy the ticket yourself on her behalf and make sure the ticket is refundable. Similarly, if you decide to pay for visa or annulment fees or other large expenses, pay the expense directly after you verify that the invoice and organization issuing the invoice is genuine.
  • Sometimes people ask for small amounts of money to pay for Internet access or telephone expenses for calling you. We recommend that you do not send money to anyone you have not yet met in person.
  • Be suspicious of people who are persistent or aggressive in their requests for money or ask for more money as soon as you have sent something.

 

Summary of Safe Dating Tips

 

Be wary of anyone who:

  • Asks for money or assistance with personal transactions (e.g., depositing funds, shipping merchandise), especially if you have never met in person.
  • Wants to speed up the pace beyond your comfort level or insists on getting overly close, overly fast.
  • Reports a sudden personal crisis and pressures you to help.
  • Asks inappropriate questions.
  • Tells stories with inconsistencies and grandiosity.
  • Gives vague answers to specific questions.
  • Constantly blames others for troubles in his or her life.

Detecting fraud on our site is one of our top priorities. As always, we encourage members to alert us to possible fraudulent activity so we can take action as necessary. If you are suspicious of a member or have specific information, click the “Report Abuse” link on his or her profile or send an email to. Please include the member’s username and ID and details as to the nature of your concerns. If you’re unsure about a member’s profile, ask us for advice.