The downside of all internet success stories is the attempt to dicredit your business model with attempted fraud. The online dating business is not spared from these frauds.

From fraudulent online dating agencies who use dishonest practices to skim money off gullible singles to fraudsters who appear as decoys to draw singles to charged offers or ask for money transfers...

There are lots of different forms of fraud and no onlite dating site is protected from it.

The following should explain the forms of fraud and how you could protect yourself against it when online dating:

1. Online dating ripp-off

That is the term used mostly by  disappointed singles, who for various reasons didn’t find a partner with online dating. But that is a statutory offence and mostly not met by the facts – even if someone feels „defrauded“. An actual fraudulent  website would take money  for a service they cannot provide or sell subscriptions without a fair warning.

How to protect yourself: With all our tested offers you can be sure that the business model is not fraudulent. We examine the general terms and conditions (AGB) of these websites and only recommend reputable companies with fair conditions. In case you choose for any reasons an offer that we have not tested, we highly recommend to check their AGBs thorougly, check their cancellation policy and note their customer care contact.

2. Fraud at dating agencies and personal ad (lonely hearts ads) websites

Generally the stakes are higher at serious matchmaking sites, because the singles are older, better off and more seriously looking for a partner. Hence the sophistication –  almost undetectable on first sight – of the deception. The fraudster impersonates a (mostly female) single, show interest in a male single and engage in an intensive communication, until the first date. Then they suddenly need money to travel to that date, for a sick relative or some other inventive purposes. But after the money transfer surely the long-desired date won’t happen. How to protect yourself: Be wary  about queries in broken English, rushed proclamation of love and strong interest from overly attractive women. Ask questions, don’t reveal too much about yourself and never ever transfer any money! If your date failed due to lack of financing, offer to visit her in her home town. If she doesn’t accept it, you most probably are subject to fraud. Always report these profiles to the customer service!

3. Fraud at casual dating and mobile dating

The ploy at casual dating is relatively more simple. Here the fraudster also impersonates a female member (made easy by free memberships for women). They don’t have to do much, just turn on that male member and then leading him to a fee-based link or have them call an expensive sex hotline. How to protect yourself: If you want to arrange a sex date, use the internal chat service of that website as long as possible. You stay anonymous and without any further unexpected costs. When exchanging phone numbers pay attention and make sure that they are normal landlines or cellphone numbers. Also report any suspicious profiles to the customer service!

 

Picture Source: Renjit Krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net