Online Dating -- Beware!

[camellia0]

An older friend told me that she registered with a well-known dating site. She met a few men who were weird, then she met the one (or so she thought). He wrote her romantic letters....he said things that most women want to hear. BUT he mentioned that he didn't live in the U.S. (which didn't get her attention--and as I mentioned, she's an older lady looking for companion). But sadly, what she fell for was this scam artist. Long story short, she wired him over $40k among other things. She lost everything.

If you have older friends/family, please watch them to make sure no one takes advantage of them.

[msmoneybags48]

Oh, how unfortunate for the lady.  My sister likes to online date; her reason is that she doesn't want to be alone.  I told her that she need to be cautious; she never know what weird-do she is meeting.  She is now with a guy she met online, and I hope she is happy.  I have never thought it good to meet people online. I am glad that your friend discovered who the man was.

[jennalyn_ruth]

Never trust those dating website.

[kapeh12]

I think it depends on the dating website.  Some are more "secure" than others.  If you are serious about meeting someone, you'd be safer to sign up with the more reputable ones (typically there is a fee involved, which probably weeds out non-serious or scammers), vs any free sites out there.

Then it's about using common sense.  My brother met his wife through an online dating service, so they are not all bad - but enter into using these with eyes wide open.  It's no different than the old way of answering personal ads in newspapers - you just get a broader selection online.

I'm still always surprised to hear people who willingly send a virtual stranger thousands of dollars - any such request would send warning bells off to me.

[cyncity831]

How unfortunate.  Sorry to hear.  However, what would possess her to think it's ok to wire that kind of money to someone they've never met.  I bit too trusting for me.

[sak4kat]

I think the dating sites do what they can as far as keeping creeps off of there sites..but when it comes right down to it you've got to be cautious and be aware of red flags.  I tried online dating.  I met a couple of nice gentleman.  I also fell hook line an sinker for one suave fellow.  A divorce and bankruptcy within 2 years of meeting him later I decided I was better off alone.  I found myself praying one day..and I told our Lord...if I'm not suppose to be alone than your gonna have to be blunt with me....put it out there so I see who I'm suppose to be with.  Half way through my shift I met my partner.  2 1/2 years later we're still together...with a healthy foundation and growing strong. 

[jmccaskill]

Sadly you cannot protect people from themselves. People that are in a desperate search for something they really desire only see what they want to see, they ignore those red flags that warn them of dangers. Probably the easiest 'mark' are those seeking 'love', it is probably the most blinding yearning there is. Fortune hunters are probably the second group that fall for scams, the old adage 'all that glitters ain't gold' just gets lost in their lust for great riches. Granddad used to say 'you can't cheat an honest man' really has a lot of truth to it, honest folks are not greedy and it is that greed for what one finds lacking that paves the road to destruction.

I feel for those that get taken, but accept the fact that they most likely contributed to their own fate to a large extent...

[reiddb]

I think it is very dangerous!!!!!!! You need referrences

[Cuppycake]

An older friend told me that she registered with a well-known dating site. She met a few men who were weird, then she met the one (or so she thought). He wrote her romantic letters....he said things that most women want to hear. BUT he mentioned that he didn't live in the U.S. (which didn't get her attention--and as I mentioned, she's an older lady looking for companion). But sadly, what she fell for was this scam artist. Long story short, she wired him over $40k among other things. She lost everything.

If you have older friends/family, please watch them to make sure no one takes advantage of them.

I met my husband online and we have been together for 8 years. It doesn't apply to all online meetings. This could be true of any jerk you meet tbh.

[patycake56]

It just goes to show u cant trust anyone on these dating sites

[Cuppycake]

It just goes to show u cant trust anyone on these dating sites

I can't speak for online dating sites since I actually met my husband in a video game. I do however think there are very few men out there in general that are NOT slimeballs though hahaha !

[itsjdubb]

I am so sorry that she got taken advantage of like that. My sister as dated a lot of guys that she met online and it makes me scared for her. She flew from NJ where she lives to TX to meet someone and he winded up dropping her off at the airport 2 days early for her flight because things didn't work out. makes me glad I am married.

[PGS28]

Oh no! Never send anyone money. The guy on the upcoming Catfish did the same thing, I can't wait to see it tomorrow. I'm always leery about even accepting it.  I'm SO sorry to hear that happened to her but I hope she takes the lesson for what it was and not steer completely away from online dating- her next husband could still be on that site.