Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Online Dating and Avoiding Scams

When it comes to free online dating site, the worse that I have encountered is Black Planet. I am not saying that I have extensive experience with free dating sites, but from what I have seen so far Black Planet (BP) is a haven for scammers from Africa. Plenty of Fish (POF) is not as bad. The example I will show you later is from POF.

So how do you identify scammers and how does the scam work?

What usually happens with a scammer, you chat, they send you poetry, etc. that they didn't write or something romantic that they can cut and paste in a message to you that they are probably also sending to a bunch of other women. You may even get the same email or poem twice.

They claim to be in Africa visiting or working, then the imaginary emergency happens. My child is ill or I lost my wallet and me and my kids are stranded. And because they think you are so in love with them, you will send them money. Don't bother chatting out of boredom with these folks either. LOL

This is the type of email you get from scammer on an online dating site. Clue #1 was he wrote too much on the initial email. Other clues: They go overboard with laying the flattery. In this example, He posed as a white guy on black dating site and only had one picture up. Also look at the language used. He didn't come across as a native English speaker.

This is the scammers initial email:
Hello how are you doing, my name is David Jason i was just searching by list when i got to see your profile and felt so enthusiastic about you and more interested in getting to know you much better..... wish I could see through your eyes so I would know what you like to see. I wish I knew your wishes, so I could give you everything you want. I wish I dreamed the same dreams you do, and together we could make them come true. I wish I knew what makes you happy, so I could make you the happiest person in the whole world. And lastly, I wish I were a cell in your blood, so I would be sure I was somewhere in your heart hope to hear from you pretty soon

David

A little over the top don't you think?

My response to the first email:
Good morning, David. How are you? Thanks for sending me a note. I read and liked your profile.

2nd email from him:
Thank you for getting back to me, I hope everything is fine....If so thanks be to God almighty. I'm 45yrs old, 6ft tall single and searching.. I went thru your profile I found it very interesting and I would really like to get to know you better. Am David Jason from Houston Texas... A Building Contractor....But a Dermatologist by my course of study.I'm single... I came across your profile while searching on this site,and I bet I got so acquainted to your image cause of the beauty i could see on you. You're simply irresistible and i must confess it's a great pleasure writing's to someone of your nature. I can be the lucky guy that would own your heart ....You're God gifted and attractive.... You are so beautiful that i believe God spent extra time creating you and if i were to present your picture in heaven, all the angels would hide their faces in shame.I'm a non typical Guy with a good heart and a calm head, someone who appreciates the value of a good people like my father did, I’m not a surface dweller, I can see beyond the outside and I'm not afraid or unwilling to express myself or laugh out loud. I consider myself an excellent communicator. Do you like walking or dancing, do you like hugs and kisses, taking long drives or just staying home listening to music or cuddling. The smallest of gestures I meet with joy and appreciation instead of expectation.I'm presently in West Africa for now I do Alot of travelling Alot it's all depends on where I have a was statina. This are things I dislike, I do not like being around with people who are negative, Rude, No patient and very lousy people. I'm pretty easy going but when I am passionate about something I will definitely speak my mind. I am very adventuresome and love the idea of trying any new fun activity or sport..I'm romantic and very contented with my life.. I just think it would be a lot more fun if there was someone to share it with. I'm a strong, independent Guy with a great sense of humor and have managed to remain so lovely and caring to people. I try very hard to keep a positive outlook on life and hope you do too.I dont mind travelling or relocating to other states to meet my match.i like candies, flowers,music and reading...water (whether it be a lake,stream or the ocean)...sunshine and rainy days...falling leaves (Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year), holding hands,cuddling,walking in the evening and kissing under a street light. I am honest and expect the same in return. I don't play games or care much for people who do so give me a way to get in touch. In short, I'm looking for the last love of my life... I am looking for a true companion, the missing link in my life.I am looking for the bone that mine was brough out from...am looking for whom God has set aside for me......... be happy and have a positive attitude.......I hope you will be honest, sensitive and affectionate (being romantic would begreat!) Be prepared though, I may want to take you away for a surprise romantic weekend...If you have a strong shoulder for me to lean on and allow me to cry on at the movies, well, that would be a real bonus! But you should know that I will be there for you - a partner (in every sense of the word) who will be there to share the laughter and the tears. If you hold my heart, there is nothing I won't do for you.I read a profile once that says it all perfectly - "someone I am excited to spend my nights with and even more eager to spend my days with"... a gentle guy and a kind soul i'm looking for a Woman that will be my best friend plus more if it goes that way, someone who has a positive out look on life, caring,loving, not boring likes to go out and do things even if its just a walk.its the little things that matters.If you have read this far I’m amazed, There's still a lot more about me that i would like u to know but i would only do that if u send me a message to my personal email be cos that the only way we can get privacy in our relationship. can i have

Really? It got cut off at the because it too dang long. If you want to look him up, visit www.plentyoffish.com. His screen name is davidsjacon. This is a bunch of nonsense. He didn't even spell his name right on his screen name.

I didn't need to go any further. I have already been there. I had one guy years ago that I was chatting with on BP that claimed to be an artist who was in Africa buying clay. He was a widower so he had his three year old daughther with him. At one point he even had the three year typing me a message on Yahoo! messager. I mean really. Then the crisis came. He needed money because his daughter was extremely ill and he wanted to know if he could borrow some. She was a British citizen. I asked him if he contacted the British embassy for help since she was a British citizen. The UK has universal health care so that should solve that problem.
Obviously, he didn't like that respond.

I know someone who was talking to another widower who claimed to be stranded in Colorado with his son and he said he lost his wallet and plane tickets. Even though they never met, he sent her long message and poetry from the Internet. I told her to tell him that she had a brother who was driving back from Colorado the next day and to let her know if he wanted her to ask her brother to give them a lift. He was really upset that she didn't trust him. Oh well is my response.

I am sure that there are women who are able to get emotionally involved with someone that they have never laid eyes on but I am not one of them.

Do yourself a favor. Look for the warning signs I cited and be careful online.