Don't get Scammed

Most folks on this site are honest people looking for honest friendships and romance. However, as with any dating site, we do get a few SCAM artists. We weed most out at sign-up time and block their accounts, but they're not always obvious and some slip through.

This article is meant to help you spot the crooks. Scammers may be male or female. If you're ever unsure if your contact is a scammer - please ask us! We have a lot of experience. We are very happy to help you, whether you're a free or full member!

We know of two popular SCAMs:

Nigerian Money SCAM

Not always from Nigeria, here's how it goes:

I'm the child of someone important and my rich daddy was just assassinated, and he left me gobs of money in a secret bank account. I need you (someone I don't know nor have never met) to help me move $20 million dollars to your country. I'll give you 10% ($2 million dollars) for your troubles.

Sorry, but this is not your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Learn more about Advance-fee scams here.

Long Distant Relationship SCAM

Not all long distance relationships are fake. Most on our site are real and we're thrilled to see that our site has brought together many long distance relationships and marriages. This section does, however, address, a small number of scam artists that bait you from a distance.

They will lure you in with kind words and compliments. Weeks later they will sweet-talk you into sending them money. Then they will disappear. Nothing complicated. Yet people fall victim to such scams daily.

Here's how it works:

You meet someone from another state or country on the Internet. You correspond for a while. You are getting to like your new friend... a lot. At some point your friend tells you that you are the love of her/his life (even though you've never actually met yet). Money is the only problem. So, could you please send some money to help pay for rent/telephone bills/hospital bills/internet service/plane fare/visa/passport?

When they ask for money beware of being scammed! Money will be sent, and your friend will disappear. Or not. Perhaps the scam artist will return asking for more. Will you be foolish enough to continue? Most likely yes, until you've reached your personal limit. Is it $1,000, $5,000 or more?

A scammer might use many plots to achieve their ultimate goal. They will always play on your feelings. They will do her best to arouse your sympathy. What would you say to:

"I don't have enough money to pay for my internet service"

coming from a sweet attractive woman or man? You do want to stay in touch, don't you? The 50 dollars requested wouldn't hurt your budget, would it? How about ...

"oh, my god! My mom's dying of cancer! I've managed to find $500, but it's not enough! I need $5,000 … I'm so devastated, and I have no one to turn to for help! No one but YOU.. You're my only hope in the whole world..."?

How would you react to that kind of heart-wrenching story? Would you rush to Western Union and wire money?

Please realize that there is no dying mom. There is only a crafty scam artist behind that "cry for help." There is no human tragedy here; just shady business.

A scammer can come up with a hundred good reasons why they need money, and why YOU and only YOU (someone they've never met!) must help them. Most scammers use the same old tricks that have proved reliable. They ask you to pay a non-existent monthly fee of $50. They need money to pay an interpreter to translate letters to you because his/her English is not good enough to express their true feelings.

Some of them are rather blunt about asking for money. Others are subtle. They might not openly ask for money. They might simply hint it by complaining about how tough they have it. And guess what, YOU end up offering to send her some extra money without being asked!

Red Flags

If you ever have a concern/suspicion about a member please contact us. We have access to much more information than what appears on public accounts, and we are happy to assist you.