The new online acquaintance: an attractive personality with an interesting background. You receive compliments and expressions of love and make plans for the future together. That feels good for everyone, doesn't it? But then your "great love" suddenly demands money and asks for a transfer to his/her account, e.g. because of alleged financial difficulties. At this point at the latest, you should take a critical look at your virtual acquaintance - even if it's difficult.
Fake game with emotions
Unfortunately, there are scammers who specialize in getting their victims' money this way. The numerous ways of assuming a false identity on the internet open up new avenues for these marriage scammers.
"That doesn't apply to me", you may be thinking. For your own protection: follow some of our tips to be on the safe side. If you find it difficult to check data or content for emotional reasons, ask someone you trust to do it for you.
Signs of love/romance scamming
- Brief email in English with an invitation to chat,
- Communication mostly in good English,
- Beautiful photos in the user profile: scammers possibly scammers - often in uniform,
- Even after the first contact: long letters full of declarations of love,
- Intensive questions about private life (hobbies, family, former partners),
- New internet acquaintance is promptly referred to as "husband" or "wife",
- Making marriage plans.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide.
How you can protect yourself
- Check the name of your internet acquaintance with the addition "scammer" using an internet search engine.
- You can use the "reverse image search" to check the origin of pictures of your online partner.
- Use an alternative email address yourself for dating portals or communication with your online acquaintance. This way, your main email account remains protected in case you need to delete it.
- Be sparing with sending and disclosing your own data (real name, address, image and video files).
- Do not transfer money to people you have only met online and never in person.
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