How to Best Protect Yourself From Online Romance Scams

With more and more singles turning to the Internet to find love every year, online romance scams have become a very lucrative market for scammers. Every year, countless individuals from various backgrounds fall prey to online dating fraud. Recently, the U.S. reported that losses from these scams reached an astonishing $230 million annually. This number is significant, especially given the FBI’s estimate that only 15% of these scams are reported. Once lost, money is rarely recovered, making prevention the best approach. We recently spoke with the Toronto Private Investigators at Haywood Hunt & Associates Inc. as well as some lawyers who work with them to learn the key steps that you can take to protect yourself from this growing threat.

Keep Your Initial Conversations on the Dating Platform

If you’ve met someone through online dating, it’s wise to continue chatting on the platform for a while. Scammers often try to shift conversations to messaging apps like Viber, KIK, or WhatsApp to fish for personal information. Be cautious with anyone eager to move quickly to social media or asking for your phone number, as they may have ulterior motives.

Verify Their Photos

Scammers frequently use fake photos, which can be identified through a quick Google or reverse image search. If the same image appears under different names, it’s a strong indication that you may be the target of a romance scam.

Confirm the Location of Their Photos

Romance scammers often fabricate their backstory entirely. If they claim a photo was taken in a particular place, try searching for it and checking any metadata. If the image shows a different location, consider this a red flag.

Verify New Connections with a Video Chat

“Since scammers can easily use someone else’s photos, asking for a quick video chat on FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or any live video app is one of the best ways to spot a catfish. Speaking face-to-face confirms that you’re interacting with a real person” says Rupin Bal a Criminal Lawyer in Brampton, Ontario.

Pay Attention to Their Personal Claims

When guarding against romance scams, details matter. Verify claims about achievements, property, or other personal stories to see if they’re truthful or just fabrications. A bit of effort up front can save you from the potential pain and time lost to a scam.

Be Wary of Flattering or Overly Polished Messages

Messages that seem too perfect or idealistic may be scripted lines used by romance scammers. Try searching parts of their texts or emails online to see if they show up in scam directories or have been copied elsewhere.

Check the Origin of Emails

Did you know you can track an IP address through an email? Online guides can show you how to do it yourself. While experienced scammers often conceal their data, they occasionally make mistakes.

Avoid “Soldiers” Asking for Money

Toronto Criminal Lawyer, Calvin Barry has seen his fair share of cases involving romance scams in recent years, and one distinct lie is a common tactic. He says to “romance scammers frequently impersonate soldiers supposedly stranded abroad on a secret mission, claiming only you can help them. This is a clear red flag, as someone on a classified mission would never confide in a civilian for financial assistance”.

Be Cautious of Friend or Follower Requests from Strangers

Scammers may observe your profile through one account before approaching you with another, making it seem like you’ve met someone compatible.

Never Send Money to Online Strangers

Scammers often lose interest if you refuse to give them anything. If you haven’t met someone in person and spent quality time together, that person is essentially a stranger who could be anyone.

If you believe you’ve already fallen victim to a romance scam, stop talking to the person immediately and seek assistance from the police. The threat of online romance scams is growing every year and their tactics are only getting smarter.