Scammers on dating sites?

[Tyrion]

Hey everyone !

So I have a few profiles on a few different dating sites.. and more recently I received two emails from different guys, that are both very similar in story, and both (who sent me their supposed pictures), claim to have had relatives die, and are currently in nigeria. This immediately triggered suspicion, because lets face it.. a lot of scams come from nigeria.. but i was just wondering if anyone has received similar emails from dating sites, or if this is a common occurrence?

I replied to one just for the hell of it, who gave me this big response about what he wants in a relationship, etc (which IS exactly what I'm looking for), but it seems way too scammy to me). I may continue with a few more emails to see what he has to say.. which will be harmless, because I'm not naive enough to send some random person money or personal details.. but I figured I'd make a post about it here to see what others have to say.

I could post the email here, but it's basically.. person is mixed raced.. person was sent to nigeria after something bad happened to them (in the us), person is looking for a relationship and are VERY interested in me (they keep stressing this).

Again, sounds super fishy to me.. but as said, I did like what they had to say.. but I am also cautious of scammers/douche bags.

[LONDONER]

In the past I have receives similar e-mails from Nigeria all supposedly having seen my (non-existent) profile on some site or another. They are always the same, wanting a deep and lasting relationship and I was the person who most fitted their likes. I have ignored them all. I have learnt from other people that the exchange of e-mails starts off quite innocently and then gradually turns in to a sob story and ends up asking for money.

Ignore them. Don't even start a conversation with them. As you say, so many SCAMS come out of Nigeria.

[VileKyle]

Surprisingly, this has never happened to me through dating websites, email, or anywhere else on the internet. Either I'm really lucky or people from Nigeria don't find me attractive.

[LONDONER]

Surprisingly, this has never happened to me through dating websites, email, or anywhere else on the internet. Either I'm really lucky or people from Nigeria don't find me attractive.

Well VileKyle, I hardly consider myself God'a gift to any man but I have received them. They'll try to SCAM anyone at all if they think they can get money. Anyway, lucky you, but now you know what to do if you ever do.

[EvenOlderButWiser]

Its a scam, and you need to be super careful as well, because they can also send you a virus that allows them to skim any personal information (including bank details) from your computer.

My advice is cut off all contact immediately, and run a virus check on your computer.

ObW
X

[pellaz]

dont even open emails smell bad.
what is the matter with the OP

[Tyrion]

Peliaz, many things are wrong with the OP.. haha. :p

I figured it was a scam.. but this is the first time I've received that type of an email.. (usually it's the lovely "you've won the nigerian lottery" scams).. so I was mainly just curious if it was a common thing or not. I've been a member of okcupid for years and have never to my knowledge received a fake/scam email from someone.

No worries though.. I've already stopped replying.. just wanted a little feedback on the issue o.o

[pellaz]

i am not to careful on these things either

say you post a item to sell on craigslist.com and elect to have the buyer respond with a text to your phone number. smarter people write the number out in text rather than use the exact numbers.

[gilhooly]

You're right. Out of curiosity I tried an alleged dating site here in NJ. I received nothing back from them. Since then I have been told there is a bank in Nigeria which is holding an immense inheritance for me. But I must send them $180 for the transfer. I replied, send me the immense inheritance and I will personally come to Nigeria and give you half my inheritance. They never answer my scam.

[davearoo]

Dating sites, particularly the free ones, are full of scammers from all the dark corners of the world. Here are a few signs to help you spot the most common scams:

1. The scammer asks you for money. Often in the context of an urgent need such as medical bills, a travel emergency, etc.

2. The scammer lists or claims to be at a location hundreds or thousands of miles away.

3. The scammer refuses to meet you in person or to talk on the telephone. Instead, they offer to send text messages, emails, or video chat on a third-party site.

4. The scammer offers you a job or a business opportunity, or tries to sell you products or services online.

5. The scammer tries to redirect you to a porn site.