Avoiding Online Dating Scams: Don't Be A Victim

In this article we explain two common online dating scams and how to avoid them. Also we provide additional advice to avoid any type of online scam.
Common types of scam schemes:
1) Russian scam
Most russian scams start with the man being contacted by an attractive young woman. Often, but not always, the man is much older than the woman. The scammer is counting on such a man being gullible due to being flattered by the thought of a young attractive woman showing interest in him.
After a few emails, the woman claims to be in love with the man, and wants to join him in his country. She requests money for a passport, visa, air ticket and traveling expenses (at the same time or in stages). She suggests wire money transfer or other irreversible means of sending out money.
Once the man sends the money, two things may happen. The woman might simply disappear. Or there might be a family "tragedy" for which she needs extra cash from the hapless man. She might also claim to be held an airport happen for various reasons. The objective is to milk as much money as possible out of the poor guy.
This type of scam is typically carried out by Russian men or syndicates who hire women (for very minimal fees) to use there profiles and pick the money up for them. The scammer can be a woman or man from any country, including USA.
Unfortunately, this scam is also helped by attitudes and stereotypes. The perception of Russian women as desperate to leave their country is one example. So is the assumption that everybody wants to immigrate to the west, especially the USA.
How to avoid this scam? Do not send money to anyone, never, whether he/she lives oversees or in your own country.
It is by sending money men breed dating scammers. If all men stopped sending money, dating scammers would become extinct. This is why all decent dating sites prohibit money requests and sending money from one member to another.
2) Nigerian scam
There is also the Nigerian (and lately Ghanaian) scam. Nigerian scams are a little harder to detect in that most con-artists are usually well-learned people who usually do their homework; and they can be unusually patient.
You get contacted by a "US citizen" working in a foreign country. Once the contact is and some level of trust established, the scam artist asks you to cash money orders for him/her. The money orders are fraudulent and you are left to pay your bank of the amounts paid.
Sometimes the scammer is not after money. They are after shipping help, for goods bought with stolen credit cards.
How to avoid this scam? Do not deposit a money order from your "date" in your bank account.
What else can you do to protect yourself from these or other types of Internet scams?
There are no guarantees, just as you don't have a guarantee of not getting in an accident because you are a careful driver. But you can minimize the risk, or become a hard target (scammers are lazy people and will go for the easiest target).
1. Beware of someone who claims to fall in love with you after just a few emails. Start by being skeptical. It is NOT normal if a woman professes her undying, unconditional love for you before you even met in person. Real women NEVER do it.
2. Do not give out personal details such as credit card number or SSN, never. Do not even give out your real name until you are sure the person is for real.
3. Ask for more than one photograph. A scam artist from, say Nigeria, would usually have a difficult time faking more than one photograph. Also, ask lots of specific questions. If you sense discomfort or vagueness on the other end, cut the relationship.
4. Follow your guts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. If it's too good to be true, it usually is.
Do not let bad apples stop you from finding love online. Many people have found happy, lasting relationships with local or foreign partners they met on the web. Just know that Internet dating scams are real, and keep alert for red flags.