Romance Scam Blackmail

The problem with online dating is that victims do not take action to identify if the person they chat with is a love fraud or romance scam blackmail. If you follow the tips, you will avoid victimization. Therefore, it is important to identify a romance scammer.

Always have a video call with the person you connected with. You must confirm the face in the photo is the person you are chatting with. That means having a clear video where they speak, eyes blink, and lips move for five minutes. Do not agree to have them send you an audio or video; anyone could have recorded it at any time.

If your friend claims a call is not possible because of their job, no internet service, shyness, mobile camera not working, or any other excuse, they are a fraud, swindler, and scammer all wrapped up in one. If you accept the excuse, you will have a problem.

If you connect with a person who says they work on an oil rig, an engineer working overseas, deployed military, a doctor without border, or anyone not living in your country, ignore and block. Romance scammers hide behind overseas employment to avoid meeting victims. 

Texting someone you have never met in real life is not a long-distance relationship, nor is not having a phone conversation and hearing their voice. It is a digital connection with an unidentified stranger. 

The number one rule about online dating is never to send money because you will never get it back! It does not matter what excuse your so-called partner tells you.

Never share compromising photos or videos; the predator will use them to blackmail you at the end of the dating scam. Falling prey to sextortion is a horrifying event. 

If you are reading this and have never had a video call, seen your partner's face, or heard their voice, you are a victim of a love scam. If such is the case, you must take action to end the relationship immediately. If you share your concerns with your partner, they will explain why they cannot call or video. All are excuses to avoid showing their face. If your partner cares to make you feel at ease, a call video resolves any doubts. That is not too much to ask.