Online dating is the new normal. Most adults have used online dating apps at some point. This has become necessary as meeting people in person has become more difficult for many. With online dating comes the risk of falling prey to scammers. It’s important to be vigilant, and one way to do that is to recognize the signs of these scammers on dating apps. Here are clear signs to look out for.
1. Their Profile Seems Too Good to Be True
You know what they say, if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t. These people know the tricks. They know that most people want to meet the fly, trendy, and very posh kind of people.
Online dating scammers put in the work to look the part. They have the most gorgeous photos and take pictures in the most luxurious places. It looks like they’re living the best life possible. They know that whoever comes across their profile wants to be part of that life, which is why they put on that front to lure their victims into swiping right and eventually meeting them.
When you come across a profile you like, but something tells you it looks too good to be true, there’s a very high chance it isn’t authentic. You have to listen to your gut feeling. If their profile looks too perfect, they’re probably there looking to defraud and scam people. If you swipe right and engage them, there’s a high chance you could become one of their victims.
2. They Lure You Off the Dating App Very Quickly
To use online dating effectively, you need to understand how scammers work. They’re always in a hurry to get you off the app. At some point, people do exchange numbers and move to platforms like WhatsApp, but it takes time to get to know someone.
If the interaction doesn’t follow that natural course, there’s a high chance someone is trying to manipulate the process. Online dating scammers don’t have all the time in the world. They’re working toward a goal, so they stick to a script. Once they check one box, they move on to the next.
Their goal is to get you off the dating app and onto a platform they can control. If you just met someone and they’re already asking to chat on WhatsApp or for your number, that’s a sign. Why the rush? If they’re moving too fast and you can tell something is missing, it’s a huge sign that the person you’re talking to is an online dating scammer.
3. They Move the Interaction Too Fast
Naturally, when two people meet, it takes time to get acquainted. With scammers, there’s always a rush. You just met this person, and they’re already asking very personal questions. They want to know about your family, your job, and even how much you earn. An online dating scammer has a target and needs to profile you quickly to see if you fit their profile.
They ask questions in quick succession to save time. If it feels like things are moving unnaturally fast and they’re already talking about love and wanting to be with you, that’s not normal. You can usually tell when something isn’t right. If they’re rushing you and can’t explain why, it’s a huge sign you’re dealing with an online dating scammer.
4. They Always Cancel Physical Meetings
Having put in the effort to create an attractive online profile, you'll attract all kinds of people. Scammers will come to you with so much enthusiasm and eagerness, telling you how much they want to meet you and be with you.
But when it’s time to meet in person, they’re nowhere to be found. They never show up because they aren’t real. It’s safer for them to keep interacting online, where you can’t see them. That’s why they never stick to plans or agreements.
If this happens repeatedly, not once or twice but over and over again, it’s a clear sign. They’re likely talking to several people at once, making promises and raising hopes. Once they get what they want, they disappear. Their number stops going through, and you can no longer reach them.
5. They Start Asking You for Money
Everything seems to be going well, and you start thinking you like this person and want to be with them. Then suddenly, they start asking for money. It may seem genuine at first, and because you care, you want to help. It doesn’t happen just once. It keeps happening. You’re sending money to someone you’ve never really met or barely know.
You don’t know their family, friends, or background. Getting money from you is part of the plan. The reasons they give are often made up, and you’re probably not the only person they’re taking money from. If someone you just met online starts asking you for money, there’s a strong chance they’re using you.
If their profile looks too good to be true, they rush you off the dating app, move the interaction too fast, avoid meeting in person, and keep asking for money. These are major red flags. You’re safer when you treat the people you meet online the same way you would those you meet in person. Tread with caution. Don’t be in a hurry to move off the app. If they rush you, they are most likely not genuine.