A lot of people who use dating sites and apps feel suspicious about the people they meet. There is a good reason for that. Russian romance scams have become an increasing problem in many countries, especially in developed countries like the United States and the U.K.

The alerts and warnings are everywhere in the media and online, and yet a lot of people continue to fall victim to a dating fraudster or online criminal every day. Unfortunately, it’s often the most vulnerable and lonely people that fall for these scams, and it’s also unlikely that people will be able to self-identify that they have become a victim.

Russia private detectives have listed some of the most common red flags and warning signs of these scam schemes, in order to prevent future victims. It is extremely important to keep in mind that even if none of these signs are present in your online relationship, there are still chances of being caught by a Russian dating scammer or online fraud.  Being informed and prevention is essential to being safe, whether you have spotted a red flag or not.

Failing to provide personal information

Scammers from different parts of the world have their own seals. In Russia’s case, many men look for love and companionship in adult sites. Fraudsters in these sites claim to be forbidden of providing personal information (like a full name or contact data) by the site. It is better to avoid getting involved with people who refuse to share even basic data. How can a relationship advance if there is no way to even know the real name of your partner? Failing to share or provide personal information is a major red flag, since their identity cannot be verified.

The relationship is taking off too fast

Romance scammers will call it fate or destiny, but falling in love too fast is usually a sign that an online scammer is trying to entangle and put pressure on their victim. The faster the relationship gets serious, the faster the requests for money or personal information will come.  Even if no requests are made, criminal can access your computer or accounts just by communicating with you by installing a virus or other means.  The recommended step if you are feeling this rush is to hire a dating background check investigation in Russia. Verifying this person’s identity and background is the best investment you can do to safeguard yourself. If the person of interest has been honest, people can have peace of mind in their relationship knowing that it is worthy to dedicate time and effort to it. Otherwise, they can cease communication as soon as possible and avoid the many other risks of being in contact with a Russian internet criminal.

Sudden personal crisis and inconsistent stories

In most cases, personal crises are a red flag. We all have personal situations of hardship, so it is not so uncommon to find someone out there in need for help. Given that, be aware of sudden requests for financial help, especially those that are of urgent matter. Manipulating and putting pressure on their victims is a specialty of romance scammers, so do not let your judgement be clouded by the urgency and your feelings. Verify the facts, and if it’s safe then offer your help.

Most victims cannot identify the warning signs alone

If you have a friend or family member in an online relationship that seems suspicious, get professional help for them. A professional private investigator in Russia will be able to provide reliable evidence, and you and your friend can stop guessing or fighting over whether or not they are being scammed.  Having real evidence enables you to stay safe and make informed decisions.  Get the facts and clear evidence, and then decide.

As mentioned before, scammers not always use the above red flags, so consider online dating verifications as an important form of prevention if you want to remain safe.

C. Wright
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