While dating apps are attracting a lot of users, there has also been a rise in the number of scams
Quite a few dating apps and websites are available for users. However, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals that dating scams are increasing in India. This is especially true for top cities in the country. Financial losses totaling more than Rs 200 crore have been recorded in recent years. There are also likely to be hundreds of cases that were never reported to the police.
In such a situation, it becomes important to be careful when using dating apps and websites. Let us take a look at some scenarios that will help you avoid potential scams on dating apps.
Highly professional profiles – If the images of the person look too handsome or glamorous, it could be a red flag. Scammers know that people are easily attracted to a good-looking person. That is why they may have hired a professional photographer or used photo editing tools to create a highly attractive profile. If a person is too good looking, it could be a red flag.
Limited presence on social media – A scamster will try to limit his exposure to social platforms. Because the information posted on such platforms can be investigated for its authenticity. In comparison, a genuine profile will have normal presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. If someone seems to be limiting their digital presence, it could be a red flag.
Avoiding video calls – A scamster who has created a fake profile on dating apps is likely to avoid video calls. That is because it will reveal their true identity and show their real mannerisms and way of communicating. If someone is repeatedly avoiding video calls, it can be a red flag.
Fast bonding – Scamsters are experts at sweet talk. They have the skills to create a strong bond in a short period of time. They may also move quickly in expressing their liking or love for the other person. If you feel that things are moving too fast, it could be a red flag.
No in-person meeting – A scamster on a dating app could try to avoid an in-person meeting. They can make various excuses such as an office meeting or travelling to a different city. Even though an in-person meeting is not a guarantee for genuineness, it is still better than not having one.
Request for using other communication channels – A scamster may try to move your communications to other platforms such as WhatsApp, Email, etc. By doing so, they may be trying to limit their exposure to verified dating apps. If you receive such requests, it could be a red flag.
Request for money – This is the most common dating scam seen in India. The scamster will pretend that they are facing a challenging situation and need financial help. For example, they can say that they need urgent money for a medical emergency or business loss. They will then ask the victim to transfer the money via hard-to-recover channels such as UPI, gift cards, cryptocurrency, etc. Never transfer any money to anyone on a dating app.
Blackmail – This is another common scam on dating apps. The scamster will secretly capture any intimated moments that you may have spent with them. The images and videos are then used to blackmail the victim. To avoid this, invite the person to your place instead of visiting their place or a hotel.
By staying vigilant and cautious, you can avoid the typical scams on dating apps and websites. You can also openly discuss such issues with your dating partner. By evaluating their response and comments, you can get a basic idea of how to proceed next.