Common Scams 
I n an era of swiping right, the search for companionship has become faster but not necessarily safer. This is particularly the case in online dating, where your heart might not be the only thing to break. For the unlucky ones, it can be their bank accounts too!
In India, the pressure to find a partner, whether from family, society, or personal expectations, has unfortunately made many fall victim to romance scams, also known as the ‘Lonely Heart’ scams. As millions have resorted to dating websites and social media for companionship, scammers have taken advantage of the opportunity to take advantage of people’s emotions. Moody’s issued a 2024 report that noted India accounting for 12% of new romance scams on the web worldwide. A shocking statistic found that over three-quarters of Indians using dating websites reported encountering fake profiles, many of which were complete with artificially generated photos, making it extremely challenging to identify the fake ones.
Let’s take a deep dive into the unsettling world of Lonely Hearts scams, where con artists pose as dream partners, weaving elaborate lies to manipulate emotions and swindle money.
Types of Lonely Hearts Scams
- Fake Romance Profiles: To trick victims into falling into an emotional trap, scammers fabricate attractive profiles using fake photos and false information.
- Investment Scams Disguised as Love: Scammers use the false promise of a shared future to persuade victims to invest in phony stocks or bogus cryptocurrency opportunities, convincing the victims that it will help them to build a future together.
- Blackmail and Sextortion: After gaining a victim’s trust, scammers coax them into disclosing private information and intimate pictures, which they later use as blackmail material to extort money.
- Fake Marriage Proposals: Using matrimonial websites, some scammers pretend to be potential spouses in order to trick victims into paying for wedding expenses or travel costs before vanishing after stealing all the money.
Make sure a person isn’t just after your wallet before you put your trust in a person you have met online.
How to Spot a Romance Scam
- They profess love too quickly: If someone you just met online is showering you with affection and future plans, it’s a red flag.
- They avoid meeting in person: Scammers always have an excuse, be it work or emergencies, they keep cancelling plans.
- They ask for money: Whether it’s for a supposed emergency, medical treatment, or travel expenses, any request for financial help should raise suspicion.
- Their stories seem inconsistent: Scammers often forget the lies they’ve told, leading to contradictory details over time.
How to Stop a Scam
- Take your time and think: Don’t let emotional pressure cloud your judgement. Before making a financial or emotional commitment, take your time to think, consult a friend, and then act.
- Verify their identity: To determine whether their photos are stolen, use reverse image search tools. Examine their digital footprint for any discrepancies.
- Talk to someone you trust: Talk to a friend or relative about your relationship on the internet. They may pick up on warning signs and red flags you had overlooked.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person: This is the golden rule: No matter how convincing the reason, do not send money or share bank details.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Cyber Crime Portal
An emotional heist is what the Lonely Hearts scam is. In addition to financial loss, victims are traumatized which makes it super hard for them to trust people again. We can shield ourselves and our loved ones from such heartbreaks by remaining watchful, educating ourselves and others, and by promptly reporting such suspicious activity.
Related Articles
