In the realm of online dating, romance scams have become an unfortunate reality.
These scams involve individuals preying on emotions to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information.
To help you identify potential romance scammers, here are 20 questions to ask during conversations, along with explanations on why they’re crucial:
1. Can we video chat?
This question can reveal if the person matches their online profile and if they are who they claim to be.
2. What’s your profession?
Scammers often claim to have prestigious jobs or work in noble professions to gain trust. Asking this can help verify their legitimacy.
3. Can you send me a recent photo?
Requesting a recent photo can expose inconsistencies in their appearance and verify their identity.
4. Do you have any social media accounts?
Scammers usually avoid connecting on social media to prevent exposure. Genuine individuals are more likely to have active profiles.
5. Where do you live?
Asking about their location can help determine if their claimed residence matches their IP address or phone number.
6. What are your hobbies and interests?
Scammers often struggle to maintain a consistent persona, leading to vague or inconsistent answers about their hobbies.
7. Can you tell me about your family?
Asking about family can reveal discrepancies in their backstory or prompt evasive responses.
8. Have you ever been married?
Romance scammers might fabricate elaborate stories to explain why they are currently single. This question can expose inconsistencies.
9. What’s your favourite childhood memory?
This question can reveal inconsistencies in their personal history and expose fabricated stories.
10. Can we meet in person?
Scammers often make excuses to avoid meeting face-to-face. Genuine individuals are more likely to be open to meeting.
11. Can you provide references or contacts from your past relationships?
This question can expose scammers who are unable to provide credible references.
12. How do you handle conflicts in relationships?
Scammers may struggle to answer this question convincingly, as they lack genuine emotional investment.
13. What are your long-term relationship goals?
Scammers often avoid discussing long-term plans or give vague responses to maintain flexibility in their scam.
14. Can you tell me about your previous romantic relationships?
Scammers may avoid discussing past relationships or provide inconsistent details about their dating history.
15. Can you share details about your daily routine?
Asking about their daily life can expose inconsistencies and verify the authenticity of their lifestyle.
16. Have you ever been involved in any legal issues?
Scammers may have a history of legal trouble or hesitate to answer this question truthfully.
17. Can you provide me with your contact details and address?
Scammers often avoid sharing personal information to prevent their identity from being traced.
18. What are your views on financial matters in a relationship?
Scammers may use this question as an opportunity to discuss money and gauge the victim’s willingness to provide financial support.
19. Can we introduce each other to our friends and family?
Scammers usually avoid involving friends and family in their scams to prevent exposure.
20. How do you handle trust and honesty in a relationship?
This question can reveal a scammer’s manipulative tactics or inability to maintain genuine trust and honesty.
By asking these questions and carefully considering the responses, you can better protect yourself from falling victim to romance scams.
Remember to stay vigilant and trust your instincts when engaging in online relationships.
Summary
When speaking to someone online for the first time, its’s easy to get carried away but remember the risks involved.
The more information you have the better. During your communication it is vital that you are on the same level so the questions can be done prior to any supposedly arranged date.
Failure to provide you with many of the above is called a “red flag” and you should refrain from providing your personal information.
The above questions are very direct, so it is best to ask appropriately whilst engaging in conversation.