Thank you for posting. Just a few days after your blog I was approached by one of these scammers on meet up.com. This one actually took the identity of a real person (his name and occupation) but the photo was not the same. Also the English was off for someone who claimed to be educated. Then a week later the same thing with another on meet up.com. This one was more like you described… mother Italian, widower, same sappy interests in only me and wanted to chat on private email. When I went to research him of course he didn’t exist. Ye gads…. So thanks for putting this out there.
January 26, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Sabrina Brown
Thanks for the great blog, Lisa, and the tips — the scamming is just awful — kind of a double whammy for people doing online dating, and reminds me of the recent Geoffrey Rush movie, “The Best Offer,” about a less-than-honest-but likable art auctioneer who falls in love with one of his clients. It has exquisite back drops and is a good movie.
So, what do you do, if you are hoping to meet (and marry) a European man? I lived for a few years in Europe, and I’m hoping to do so again with my as-yet-unknown spouse.
Hi Lisa and Everyone,
Women (people) can be scammed out of sex, not just money. There are already laws that makes it a crime for one to scam someone out of money. However, reprehensibly enough, it is not a crime to falsify an identity to scam someone out of sex, a relationship, or really anything else. This must stop. We need a law.
Many states do have a law, but it will be a long time before the entire country is protected. Will you please sign my friend’s petition to have this law enacted NJ? Her and I are both victims, as are thousands of others. Anyone, even you, could be next.
Here is the link for the petition.
I just signed the petition, “Legislators of New Jersey: Vote “yes” to Legislation #3908, Sexual Assault By Fraud.
I think this is important. Will you sign it too?
Thanks everyone, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true…..it is.
January 26, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Lee Ann
Hi Lisa….I am smiling at your latest email. Have been on Chemistry.com for a few weeks and got a bit sucked in to the “pour your heart out” from the lonely widower who wasn’t going to date until they saw my profile. There were two of them ……and then I got the SAME message from both of them about their passions in life. All within a two hour period. I was mad and then I laughed and felt grateful to have been protected.
Here is what I did. I sent messages to both of them and copied both of them and introduced them to each other and suggested they check the website they are copying and pasting from before they start harrassing the next woman!
I’m not bitter at all, don’t get me wrong, just amused and have met a couple very nice men. Am just starting on my journey and casual dating is a bit tricky!
Thanks for your insights!
January 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Bloomingdale 316
Even if he is from your local area , and you meet him right away, never ever believe any hard luck story and pay any Bill or give a man any money or your bank account or credit card information under any circumstances. Keep your personal identity information under lock and key until the relationship is well established. This means taking your handbag to the ladies room with you. It is far better to be safe than sorry.
I know this sounds cold hearted, but you must keep in mind that you are meeting people you do not know and have no idea of how truthful or not they have been in their profile.
Surprised you left out the fact that scammers ask you to write to their gmail or other personal accounts in their first email and often give their phone number and ask you to call. Of course those phones are not traceable.
Thanks!
January 26, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Rae Lynn Cuddihy
I can’t even tell you how many times I have had scam artists try and scam me. I swear I must have a big L above my head or something in my profile. I’m not desperate by any means so why do they pick me. Can’t figure out why I am always targeted. Needless to say, I have never fallen for this crap but a lot have tried. They give the same story as all your nine signs. It just floors me how somebody will waste three weeks writing and talking just to think they can scam you.
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February 7, 2015 at 4:24 am
Lisa
Thank you for posting. Just a few days after your blog I was approached by one of these scammers on meet up.com. This one actually took the identity of a real person (his name and occupation) but the photo was not the same. Also the English was off for someone who claimed to be educated. Then a week later the same thing with another on meet up.com. This one was more like you described… mother Italian, widower, same sappy interests in only me and wanted to chat on private email. When I went to research him of course he didn’t exist. Ye gads…. So thanks for putting this out there.
January 26, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Sabrina Brown
Thanks for the great blog, Lisa, and the tips — the scamming is just awful — kind of a double whammy for people doing online dating, and reminds me of the recent Geoffrey Rush movie, “The Best Offer,” about a less-than-honest-but likable art auctioneer who falls in love with one of his clients. It has exquisite back drops and is a good movie.
So, what do you do, if you are hoping to meet (and marry) a European man? I lived for a few years in Europe, and I’m hoping to do so again with my as-yet-unknown spouse.
Merci beaucoup,
Sabrina
January 26, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Infinity
Hi Lisa and Everyone,
Women (people) can be scammed out of sex, not just money. There are already laws that makes it a crime for one to scam someone out of money. However, reprehensibly enough, it is not a crime to falsify an identity to scam someone out of sex, a relationship, or really anything else. This must stop. We need a law.
Many states do have a law, but it will be a long time before the entire country is protected. Will you please sign my friend’s petition to have this law enacted NJ? Her and I are both victims, as are thousands of others. Anyone, even you, could be next.
Here is the link for the petition.
I just signed the petition, “Legislators of New Jersey: Vote “yes” to Legislation #3908, Sexual Assault By Fraud.
I think this is important. Will you sign it too?
Here’s the link:
http://www.change.org/p/legislators-of-new-jersey-vote-yes-to-legislation-3908-sexual-assault-by-fraud
Thanks everyone, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true…..it is.
January 26, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Lee Ann
Hi Lisa….I am smiling at your latest email. Have been on Chemistry.com for a few weeks and got a bit sucked in to the “pour your heart out” from the lonely widower who wasn’t going to date until they saw my profile. There were two of them ……and then I got the SAME message from both of them about their passions in life. All within a two hour period. I was mad and then I laughed and felt grateful to have been protected.
Here is what I did. I sent messages to both of them and copied both of them and introduced them to each other and suggested they check the website they are copying and pasting from before they start harrassing the next woman!
I’m not bitter at all, don’t get me wrong, just amused and have met a couple very nice men. Am just starting on my journey and casual dating is a bit tricky!
Thanks for your insights!
January 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Bloomingdale 316
Even if he is from your local area , and you meet him right away, never ever believe any hard luck story and pay any Bill or give a man any money or your bank account or credit card information under any circumstances. Keep your personal identity information under lock and key until the relationship is well established. This means taking your handbag to the ladies room with you. It is far better to be safe than sorry.
I know this sounds cold hearted, but you must keep in mind that you are meeting people you do not know and have no idea of how truthful or not they have been in their profile.
January 26, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Marilyn
Surprised you left out the fact that scammers ask you to write to their gmail or other personal accounts in their first email and often give their phone number and ask you to call. Of course those phones are not traceable.
Thanks!
January 26, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Rae Lynn Cuddihy
I can’t even tell you how many times I have had scam artists try and scam me. I swear I must have a big L above my head or something in my profile. I’m not desperate by any means so why do they pick me. Can’t figure out why I am always targeted. Needless to say, I have never fallen for this crap but a lot have tried. They give the same story as all your nine signs. It just floors me how somebody will waste three weeks writing and talking just to think they can scam you.