With the prevalence of online dating and social media, romance scams are becoming more common daily. As technology evolves, so too do scam artists and their tactics. To stay safe in online relationships, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the common practices of romance scams in 2023.
What Is a Romance Scam?
In a romance scam, people use false identities to get money from unsuspecting targets. The scammer typically creates fake profiles on online dating sites or social media platforms, often claiming to be a different person than they really are. This helps them gain the trust of potential victims while hiding their true identities.
The scammer then works to build an emotional connection with their target before eventually asking for money or other forms of assistance. This could include anything from paying for travel expenses or helping with professional opportunities – all under the guise that it is necessary for building their relationship together. Unfortunately, once the money has been sent, it almost never returns to the victim’s hands as promised.
The Warning Signs of Romance Scams in 2023
To protect yourself from falling victim to a romance scam in 2023, it’s essential to recognize some red flags that can indicate you may be dealing with a fraudulent individual:
Limited followers or friends on social media
Some scammers don’t put much effort into their online profiles. These criminals are constantly making dozens of accounts with many identities to disguise themselves, so their efforts in making their accounts seem real are limited.
Refuse video calls
For obvious reasons, romance scammers will make up a plethora of excuses for why they can’t chat via video calls. They will either state they are too busy or their camera is broken. Whatever the case may be, you should be alarmed if they refuse to show their face,
Requests for money or other forms of assistance
To get as much money as possible without looking too suspicious, romance scammers will claim they need financial help and take advantage of their victims’ kindness. They will claim they need money for bills, gas, food, etc.
Inconsistent answers about themselves
Romance scammers will often slip up with their stories because they tend to juggle multiple victims at a time, so be aware of any inconsistencies with what they say.
Profile pictures look “too good to be true”
Scammers often steal models’ pictures from adult websites or other social media platforms. If their photos seem too perfect, do a reverse image search online to see if those pictures were posted by someone else.
Profess their love quickly without getting to know you first
Scammers will try to push for a relationship to move faster than usual. This is a tactic they use to emotionally manipulate their victim and persuade them to do what they want.
Constant excuses for why they can’t meet in person
Romance scammers will promise to meet their victims in person but end up with an excuse for why they can’t, and it usually involves a money issue. For example, they might not have money for a flight, etc.
If any of these red flags appear during your interactions, it may be best to end communication immediately and move on safely.
Protecting Yourself from Romance Scams in 2023
There are several steps you can take to ensure that you stay safe when interacting with others online:
- Verifying any identity claims made by someone you meet online. Do your research, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is! Take a deep dive into their social media accounts to see if you find anything suspicious that doesn’t match what they told you.
- Reverse image the photos they share with you or have on their profile. Websites such as Tineye can help you locate where specific photos appear online. This can help you determine if someone is stealing and using photos as their own.
- Being wary of anyone who rushes things along quickly – especially those who try to move conversations away from public forums and onto private platforms like email or text messaging without getting to know each other first.
- Always research any website before giving out personal information or making payments online.
- Avoid giving out financial information such as bank account or credit card numbers unless necessary.
- If something doesn’t feel right about the person you’re talking with, trust your instincts and end the conversation immediately.
Summary
As technology advances, so do the schemes used by scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting victims. Suppose you want to protect yourself against romance scams in 2023. In that case, it’s crucial that you remain careful when interacting with others online — particularly when it comes to providing financial information or sending money. Don’t let yourself become another statistic; follow our advice above and stay one step ahead of scammers in 2023!
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