Dating apps have seen significant growth in the recent years and have unquestionably changed how people view love relationships. However, love being a business is nothing new. Families in the past used to make certain that their offspring were engaged to suitable suitors in order to ensure wealth and status for the family. Before dating apps showed up on our landscape there were already dating agencies transforming matchmaking into a highly profitable industry. But not only do dating apps and websites make big profits out of love, scammers do too!

January is a peak month for online dating. New year comes with resolutions and goals of becoming a new person, accepting new challenges and enjoying life more. The desire to find someone to share life with is a powerful motivation, but it should never be a reason to ignore the risks and put yourself in danger.  Finding meaningful relationships online is not easy.

Even though not everyone you meet online is an emotional predator or scammer, being aware of scam signs might help you stop others from taking advantage of you. Russia PI investigators share the following useful tips to avoid love fraud this peak season:

Analyze and screen your match

Even though not everyone you meet online is an emotional predator, being aware of the signs might help you stop others from taking advantage of you. Pay attention to people who appear to be a perfect fit for you, especially if they are young and rich. While not every online match that seems ideal is a fraud, someone who seems ideal and instantly showers you with attention might be trying to trick you. If you find someone that feels like the right match, your best option is to verify who they are and if they are being honest about their claims. A dating background check investigation is a good idea, especially when conducted by trained private detectives in Moscow.

Scamming doesn’t happen right away

Thousands of online relationships start in January with the peak season, but scammers take their time to prepare the ground. If your match hasn’t requested money from you by February, it doesn’t mean you are safe. It might take months or even years for a fraudster to build the trust they need, and they won’t make a move unless they know that their manipulation efforts have succeeded.   In most cases, victims don’t realize they’ve been a victim until it is too late.

Set your priorities and expectations

Yes, finding love is one, but you don’t need to give up important things, such as safety for it. If you rush into relationships with people you meet online, the chances of being susceptible to online fraud increase. You may have a goal but taking things slowly and getting evidence from reliable sources and professional third parties is a priority to your well-being.

Don’t be fooled by money

Not every scammer claims to be a poor damsel in need. Scammers often use images of extravagant wealth, such as pricey cars or estates, to spark your attention. The images might make you more inclined to lend money when the scammer asks for it, since they give the impression that the money will be returned right away and that the need for the loan is just a circumstantial thing.  Ask yourself if the situation seems too good to be true.  Is it happening too fast or too easy?  No matter what the situation, be smart and verify to protect yourself from serious heartache and financial loss.  Don’t be a victim of blackmail, hacking or romance scam.  If you meet someone online and you want to avoid fraud, contact Russia PI to verify and get real evidence.

C. Wright

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