How to Avoid Scammers On Dating Platform

How to Avoid Scammers On Dating Platform – Are you dating or talking to someone who claims to be a service member? Have they asked you for money or documents? You may be looking for true love, but you’re most likely a victim of one of the tens of thousands of military scams that occur every day. According to US military officials, online daters should be cautious when dealing with someone pretending to be a US military member serving in Syria, Afghanistan, or elsewhere.

Every month, officials and websites such as Military.com receive hundreds of queries or complaints from victims who say they were engaged in an online relationship with someone pretending to be in the US military who then demanded money for various bogus service-related needs such as transportation costs, contact fees, or marriage, processing, or medical fees.

By helping a service member, victims of online military scams feel they are doing a good deed. Instead, they gave their money to a scam artist, losing thousands of dollars and no hope of getting it back. The United States has organized several task forces to deal with the rising epidemic. Unfortunately, the perpetrators of these scams are often based outside of the United States. They use untraceable email addresses, account routing across various locations worldwide, and pay-per-hour Internet cyber cafes.

What to Look For

Scammers use a variety of terms and phrases to persuade naive men and women to enter into relationships. The following are some examples: They’re on a “peacekeeping” mission, according to them.

  • They say they’re looking for a reliable lady.
  • They discuss their parents’, wives’, or husbands’ deaths.
  • They say that their child or children are cared for by a nanny or other guardian.
  • They announce their love for each other almost instantly.
  • They refer to you as “my love,” “my darling,” or some other affectionate word almost immediately.
  • They share their desire to spend time with you.
  • They say they can’t talk on the phone or via webcam for security reasons.
  • They say that a diplomat is giving you something (money or jewelry).
  • They claim to be in the United States military, but their English and grammar are not those of those born and raised in the country.

Common Questions

Con artists frequently use similar stories to persuade men and women to have a genuine need. Military.com is commonly asked about these claims. The following are some common responses to those questions:

  • Military personnel and their dependents are not charged a fee to go on leave.
  • No one is obligated to request leave on a military member’s behalf.
  • You will not receive correspondence from a general officer on behalf of military personnel planning to go.
  • A public officer will not use an internet dating site.
  • Members of the military are not charged money or taxes to secure communications or leave.
  • Military personnel does not require permission to marry.
  • Members of the military are not required to pay for early retirement.
  • All military personnel and their immediate family members (spouse and children) have medical insurance covering their medical costs when they are treated at health care facilities around the world. Medical bills are not to be paid by family or friends.
  • Privately owned vehicles are not transported by military aircraft.
  • Military financial offices are not used to assist military personnel in the purchase or sale of any item.
  • Military personnel stationed in combat zones are not required to solicit funds from the general public to feed or house their troops.
  • Military personnel on deployment do not come across hefty sums of money and do not require your assistance in getting that money out of the country.

How to Avoid Scammers On Dating Platforms

By following a few simple rules, you can avoid being duped by a military con artist.

Never send money to anyone.

If you are asked for money via Western Union for transportation costs, communication fees, or marriage processing and medical fees, be highly suspicious.

Do your homework.

If you do decide to start an online relationship with someone, do some research on them. Consult someone who knows about what they’re saying, such as a current or former service member.

Use the phone to communicate.

If you never speak with the person on the phone or are told you can’t write or receive letters in the mail, be suspicious. APO or FPO addresses are frequently used by servicemen and women stationed overseas. Whether they have access to the internet or not, service members always appreciate receiving a letter in the mail.

Check the facts.

Many of the criticisms leveled at the military, such as the alleged lack of support and services provided to troops stationed abroad, are unfounded. Examine the facts.

Don’t enlist the help of a third party.

If you’re asked to send money or ship property to a third party or company, be wary. Frequently, the company exists but is unaware of or unconcerned about the scam.

Keep an eye out for African countries.

If someone you’re corresponding with asks you to send something to an African country, be wary. Although there are some American troops stationed there, they are few and far between. Someone claiming to be in a location where our troops are few is suspect. Nigeria is the source of many scams.

Keep an eye out for grammar mistakes.

Keep an eye out for standard spelling, grammatical, and language mistakes in emails.

Be cautious.

Always be wary of someone you’ve never met who professes love at breakneck speed.

How to Get Help

If you’ve been a victim of a military scam or think you’ve found a romance scammer impersonating a military member, where can you go for help? Unfortunately, if you offer money to a scammer, you’re unlikely to get it back because scammers are primarily based abroad and difficult to track down.

You may, however, file a formal complaint. You should report the theft to the FBI-NW3C Partnership’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website. You may also report identity fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. Your study helps in the investigations of law enforcement agencies around the world. It can be registered either online or over the phone at 1-877-ID-THEFT.

Finally, to report Nigerian scams to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, send an email to [email protected].

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