How to spot a relationship scam

Owing to technological advances, love scams are becoming increasingly common. You will think that you have met the perfect partner while indeed he is a scammer posing as a single man.

His aim is to thaw his way into your heart and eventually into your pockets. These scams happen both online and offline. What are the signs that that man you are courting isn’t who you think he is and he is indeed scheming to empty your bank account?

TOO SERIOUS TOO SOON

Pay attention if your love interest comes in with great promises which he doesn’t live up to once the relationship takes off or if he comes on too strong. And be wary if his love messages do not match his writing style.

INTIMACY

If he offers intimate details about his life, he will claim that the things he says to you are so private he hasn’t told anyone else. This is a way of tricking you to believe that what both of you have is intimate and will in turn expect you to reveal intimate details of yourself sometimes including bank details.

A scammer may also tell you about traumatic things that have happened in his past as a way of pulling at your heartstrings so as to prompt your sympathy making you vulnerable when he strikes.

EXAGGERATED CREDENTIALS

If someone is after your wallet, he is likely to drop names or volunteer details of resumes which appear perfect.

If you believe he is from a wealthy family or an owner of a lucrative business for instance, it will be easy for you to lend him a few thousand shillings. If you are suspicious, it is wise to dig further.

BLACKMAIL

Be wary if he is keen on you sending him nude pictures of yourself or if he insists that you do sexual acts on camera. He may later threaten to expose this to friends, family or the public if you fail to give in to his demands for money.

ONLINE PRESENCE

Check your love interest’s social media pages to see if he really is who he claims to be. Fake pages which show no sign of relations with others such as an absence of photographs or photographs that are generic are big red flags.

SOB STORIES

Soon after gaining your trust, a scammer will start giving you elaborate stories on why they need you to lend them money fast.

A sick relative, tax for release of a big cheque or even money to come see you. Money comes into the picture very early often in the form of a sudden crisis or medical emergency.