'Perform a search' expert warns if signs give away you're talking to a criminal
CYBERSECURITY experts have warned of online dating scams that could empty your bank.
Dating apps are one of the most common ways bad actors target victims.
“Navigating today's dating landscape can be confusing; it's full of apps, websites, catfishing and lurking stalkers,” cybersecurity firm Kaspersky wrote in a blog post.
Another thing dating apps are filled with is romance scammers.
A “romance scammer” is someone who creates a fake persona online on dating apps like Tinder to gain a victim's affection and trust.
The criminal practice will result in a staggering $1.14 billion in losses by 2023, the newspaper said Federal Trade Commission.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Normally, a romance scammer will contact you first to establish an online connection and gain your trust.
The actor then uses that perceived “trust” to manipulate a victim into sending him money, gifts, or cryptocurrency.
“The scammer's intent is to build a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim and gain trust,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said in a statement. rack.
SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR
According to Kaspersky, there are a number of warning signs people can look out for that indicate they are talking to a romance scammer.
The first is whether their profile appears under different names on multiple pages – you can find this out by doing a reverse image search.
Inconsistencies in the daters' stories and profile information are also signs of a scammer or catfisher.
Sudden, intense expressions of love or requests for money usually indicate scammers.
“Scammers can propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Ultimately, they will ask for money,” the FBI said.
If they refuse to video chat or meet up, this is a clear sign of a romance scammer.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from a romance scammer.
First, you should never send money to someone you have only communicated with online or by phone.
Be careful about the information you share or make public as fraudsters can use it to target you.
Finally, you should be wary of individuals who try to isolate you from friends and family or ask for inappropriate photos or financial information, as these can later be used to blackmail you.