11 Ways to Detect Scammers When Dating Online

1) Their username is a Real First and Last name...

Seriously, who does this! If you are talking to someone who used their first and last name as their username, get them on webcam right away and make sure they are real. If they are real (and you are absolutely sure), tell them to cancel their account and create a new account so that their name is not exposed. Only scammers do this sort of thing to make themselves seem more vulnerable, real and "true".

2) Look for the following TOP "scam alert" phrases used in their messages to you or in their profile...

~I will like to read from you
~I'm caring and honest
~Seeking my missing rib (or half)
~Seeking Marriage
~God Fearing
~Seeking for a serous relationship


Although these terms are not a foolproof indicator, when you couple them with other items on this list, they become great indicators.


3) Their Picture is too perfect and they have model looks...

Be careful on this one because you don't want to disregard a hottie, but do be aware that scammers post perfect pictures.

4) Look for certain words embedded in their username...

true
honest
4u
smith
cole
seek
heart

Again, this will not give you an absolute indication, but when you couple these indicators with other items on the list, it will help give more evidence.


5) They quickly send you their Yahoo Email Address...

If they use a yahoo email address in their profile or try to send you their email address right away and it happens to be a yahoo address, raise your scammer radar alert. Most scammers use a Yahoo email address.

6) They claim to work or be from Africa...

If they say their from or work in Ghana or another City or Country in Africa, report them right away.

7) Are they female and does their username end in "A"...

There are a lot of women from the Ukraine and Russia posing as Americans or claiming to be local to you. These women can usually be spotted by their beauty and perfect European pictures, or by checking whether their username ends in an "A". Here are some examples...

Nataliya
Sofya
Sveta
Agnessa

8) They have an Accent when talking to them on the phone...

If their profile states that they are from Chicago and they talk with an African Accent, run away as fast as you can, but remember to report them.

9) Their pictures aren't consistent or aren't even of the same person...

Pay attention to their pictures. If the pictures look very inconsistent or of a different person, ask for more. If they are unable to give more or if the next round of pictures don't shed light on the inconsistency issue, they're probably a scammer.


10) Broken English...

Most scammers don't care to improve their grammar and it's obvious so pay attention. Don't let love blind your ability to reason!!!


11) They ask for Money...

Don't ever send money to anyone for any reason, PERIOD. NEVER EVER!

The most important thing to remember is that you want to meet someone within the first two weeks to a month of talking with them online. If you have extended talks online without meeting them, at least get them on webcam and make sure they are consistent with whom they say they are.

For more information on how to detect scammers, come join http://www.bookofmatches.com and start a forum topic on the subject.