The Dangerous World of Internet Dating: volume 1 - sweetheart scammers By Nisha Lakhiani Gone are the days of old fashioned dating. Internet dating has truly revolutionized the world. People no longer need to leave their homes and go out which often ends up as a costly affair. The influx of numerous dating sites may have given people a chance to experiment with blind dates regardless of age, sex, creed or nationality. As more and more people are indulging in this form of a "hook up" , little do they realize the hidden dangers associated with them. While trying to make a beeline for blind dates and avoiding the cost factor, many forget how costly it can actually prove as it not only risks their credentials, their emotions, their family life but also their physical and mental state. Internet dating has added new avenues for scamming con artist who are now using it on a full time basis to attract unsolicited income and free sex. People often use it as means to relieve their stress and frustrations of home, family and work. People need to be wary of the dark side of this fun and frolic way of pleasure and satisfaction. Here's a sneak peek of what the dangers are: ·
Internet dating is place for promiscuity where it has become increasingly easy for spouses to cheat on their wives. All you need is a fictitious email address and a cell phone to carry out your rendezvous. Most of these sites only require simple registration. The fake testimonials make it believable for any vulnerable person wanting serious dating. Very often such tricksters are married men with children. In a bid to obtain free sex , extra comfort and a dual life they resort to playing with another person's life. Sometimes , it is a little too late when the victim has realized his folly. By then he/she would have probably lost one's honour, dignity, personal information, virginity and mental peace to a total stranger. ·
Sweetheart scammers are the worst of all. Not only are they professional in their scheming ways, they are also depending on this as a means of an income. The victim loses his assets such as car, property, bank balance and is left psychologically and emotionally scarred for life. They use emotional blackmail as a means of extracting funds. At first, they befriend you. And while doing so they have run a background check on your personal information and credentials. Then begins a series of interesting romantic escapades with serenading, wine, roses and flowers. After all to gain something you have to lose a little! When the gal is completely smitten by his hardcore theory of undying love....he strikes!!!
STRIKE 1- something devastating has happened.....owes a huge amount of debts.....has to run for his life....
STRIKE 2- requests for some money........promises to repay back soon.....in turn satisfies the victim in bed
STRIKE 3- the vicious never-ending cycle of lust, and greed begins.......continues to bring forth an endless series of sob stories to the smitten lover. STRIKE 4 - taken the money, sold the car and property, taken the jewellery .......almost everything is gone! STRIKE 5 - When there is nothing left to take, they will vanish into thin air.......on the prowl for another victim! ·
How does one tell if the scamming con artist is married or not ? Well , here are a few tips.....
a) He will never ut his last name .
b) He will never invite you to his house or give you his address.
c) He will never give you his home phone number. Giving the cell number is always the easiest option.
d) He pretends to be single but is never able at the " normal hours". All you get is blatant lies and a voice mail message.
e) You will never meet his immediate family.
f) He will never spend his birthday or long holidays with you.
g) He may not post a clear or recent picture of himself. Infact it may not be his picture at all. So friends, please be wary of such con people. Ask yourself, is it worth a risk ?