Dating Scammers: How To Spot Them And What To Do
Online dating is a safe and enjoyable way to meet new people, as long as you keep your wits about you. At Singles Over 50 we take online fraud very seriously and work hard to keep scammers off the site, but it helps if you know the warning signs too.
What Is A Dating Scammer?
A scammer is someone who pretends to be interested in you in order to take advantage of you, usually for money. When it happens through online dating it is known as romance fraud, and it is a crime.
How To Spot A Dating Scammer
Language and grammar
Does the way they write match where they say they are from? Watch for odd phrases such as "Hello Dear", "I am George by name and 54 by age" or "I hope to be reading from you soon", and messages that feel copied and pasted rather than written to you.
Fast Moving
Are they telling you they love you, or talking about a future together, after only a few messages?
Money Requests
Never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to another member, however convincing the story. Common excuses include a plane ticket to come and visit you, a medical emergency, customs fees or a business deal gone wrong. Be just as wary of anyone who wants your bank details to "deposit" an inheritance or investment for safe keeping.
Telltale profiles to look out for
Scammers often claim to be working overseas, on an oil rig, in the military, as an engineer or for a charity. Profiles may be almost empty, or the photos may look too polished, like a model or a stock picture.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Take your time, ask questions and do not be rushed.
Protect Your Privacy
Be wary of anyone who wants to move the conversation to WhatsApp, email or social media very quickly. Scammers do this to get away from our team, who watch for suspicious activity on the site.
How Do I Report A Suspected Scammer?
If you suspect that somebody isn't who they say they are or they give you cause for concern in some other way, simply scroll to the bottom of their profile and click the "Report profile" link, which looks like the image below:
Your report will be kept strictly confidential and the person that you have reported will not be aware of your report. We also suggest you activate the "Ignore" link following your report, so as not to be contacted by that member again. Don't worry, if you activate the ignore, the member you wish to ignore will not be able to see your profile anymore and will probably think you have left the service. We will then investigate your report and take whatever action is necessary.
Read more about how to spot dating and romance scams on the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) website here: https://www.sabric.co.za/how-to-stay-safe/. If you have been scammed, report it to your bank straight away and open a case at your nearest SAPS police station.
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