It’s an unfortunate reality that as the popularity of social networking and dating sites has grown so has the number of reported romance and online dating scams. If you’ve never heard of a romance scam, it’s a type of deception where scammers connect with people on legitimate dating apps, social networking sites, and chat rooms; stage fake romantic intentions to gain trust; and then leverage peoples’ goodwill to get money.
It’s a particularly awful scam, but something to know about these types of scammers is that, once you know what you’re looking for, they can actually be easy to identify and avoid. They often make a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes, will refuse to meet in person, and send odd messages where they’ll try to pursue a serious romantic relationship right away.
To help you get a better idea of what a romance scammer looks and sounds like, we’ve put together a few examples of how scammers speak that may help you identify them more quickly. Check them out and if you come across someone who displays these types of behaviors stop your communications and report him or her right away.
Common things online dating scammers do that you should look out for:
1. Asks you to communicate outside of the dating app or social site you’re on.
Good evening… Lovely profile, how are you? I Like your profile. Online I have not met serious men. Are you looking for a serious relationship? How can I contact you on mail? Today i remove my profile. I did not like the site. If you’re serious, please contact me at mail. my mail Email@email.com
hi ,Im Katy.how are you? I liked u. unfortunately I dont have a suuubscript.I can send only 1 message for freebie:). write me an email I will be glad to talk with you. maybe we can meet. my mail:Email@email.com 🙂 write quickly, I’ll wait!
Text me 555-555 – 5555 …..How are you? I am new here really getting bored,…I have been hurt in the past but cautiously trying this…. you were listed as my match and decided to say hi..I am looking to meet someone nice and special.. you can also email me here Email@email.com if you care to talk,see ya thanks tracy555-555 – 5555.
2. Claims to be leaving the dating app or cancelling their subscription.
hi, how are you? im good. I liked u. What are the plans for the weekend? I want to meet and communicate. I just canceled my subscription so i don’t know how long i can message on here. But i would like to get to know you. So if we lose contact here is my email address.Email@email.com I’ll wait!
Hey there! Love the profile and pics. My subscription ends… But you could leave your emall? So that, i could write to you immediately and i send u more my photos. okay?
hi, how are you? im good. I liked u. What are the plans for the weekend? I want to meet and communicate. I just canceled my subscription so i don’t know how long i can message on here. But i would like to get to know you. So if we lose contact here is my email address. Email@email.com I’ll wait!
3. Offers to send you more pictures in exchange for your contact information.
Hey there! Love the profile and pics. My subscription ends… But you could leave your emall? So that, i could write to you immediately and i send u more my photos. okay?
Hello. Sorry, but I rarely check this site. Leave me your email. I will write more often, also I will send more pictures.
Hello. you look good 🙂 you could leave ur emal, so that, i could write to u now. and if u want let’s exchange a pics.
Hello. Sorry, I do not visit this site often. Leave your email address. I’ll write more often, and also I will send more pictures. I’ll be glad to talk more.
I like u =). Im going to work and dont have much time. Wryte to me now: Email@email.com. I will sent u my pic today and agree on a meeting. =). Write now.
4. Looks for a serious, long-term relationship right away.
Hello. How are you doing? I’m new to online dating and I’m yet to know how it works here. I’m looking for a long term and serious relationship. I’ll love us to know more about each other and see how things work out between us. I hope you don’t mind dropping your mobile number so I can call or text you later. My number is 5555555555 I hope to hear from you soon.
I’m here seeking a lifetime partner a serious relationship that can lead to marriage i live in dallas, i’m a us military army ,5’6” from PR add me on facebook(facebookname) or google hangout(Email@gmail.com)
Good Mornign to you, Am 34years old single mother with one belovely son, i was born and raised in Beech Grove Indiana and looking forward for honest,caring,lovely,serious, respect,humble,loyal,trustworthy and God fearing man to settle down with for the rest of my life….If you are the lucky guy here is my cell number +1 5555555555 ]to start knowing more about each other….
5. Has a job or role outside of your area or the country.
Am currently on a military deployment in Liberia my last mission having a year to be back before I will relocate to the US also buying a house there soon and that will be a place where the woman I get along with on here will love to spend the rest of her life with me happily
Hi. Are you new on here?. I have been on here for about 2 weeks and never came across your profile. I must admit you are beautiful. How’re you doing? I’d love to know you more. I’m in Atlanta, GA till next week but you can reach me on 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5. Let’s talk more . look forward to hear from you.
6. Is excessively complimentary.
Hello there. You have got a beautiful smile that doesn’t go unnoticed and I wonder why you are still on a dating site because you definitely should be taken by now. I hope you keep smiling every day of your life. I would love to get to know you better but I find it hard to communicate often on here. You can text me on this number 555 555-5555 only if you feel comfortable about it and wouldn’t mind at all. It will be a pleasure to know you. Good morning
Hi Beautiful!How was your weekend?Wanted to compliment you on your beauty and yes I do have to admit that you have exquisite looks, specially your eyes are very attractive and you have a distinctly sensual smile.It is a privilege to have found you here.
7. Gives a lot of details about his or her life in the first message.
Hello nice to meet you and my name is Elijah But you can call me Eli like I said in my profile..i like your pics and profile too and I will like to know you better.I just moved to Raleigh NC last September..I’m born and raised from Somerset NJ.I have my own house and real estate company here..I Live alone with my two wonderful dogs and I’m hoping to settle down with the right woman but no rush Friendship first and see if we have same chemistry and good connection together.. what about you.What are you looking for in a man?..What do you like to do for fun?I really don’t come on here all the time due to my busy time at work.. But here is my number 5555555555 feel free to text me if you think we are both Looking for the same thing and No games and no drama please I’m Looking for someone who is real and ready for something serious with the right man Have a good time and Looking forward to hear from you.
thanks for your response, your sense of humor can not go unnoticed, i had a good laugh reading your message, well i’m glad your editor is off today, lol… i’d tell you this quite frankly, i honestly do not care about the distance between us, yes i live in georgia, but you know for two people who are sure of what they want, a couple miles wouldn’t be anything, well to tell you more about me, i am originally from Brazil, which is the country of my parents, i moved to the united states a couple years ago, i was married but unfortunately we got divorced, but i have absolutely no regrets as a beautiful daughter was made from that marriage and i practically raised that amazing kid alone, we have such an amazing father/daughter relationship, she lives in Boston now, she is 21 and wants to be a medical doctor. I have a life that most people will consider a great life but to me that is just a shadow of living because there is no special one to share of this love and the little things in life with, i’m sure you understand what i mean, that is me in a nutshell, i would stop here for now, please feel free to send the next response to my personal email which is email@email.com as it is easy for me to just read on my phone and respond. enjoy the rest of your evening, looking forward to your next message. regards.
If you’re looking to learn more about online dating and romance scams check out these general online dating safety tips.
