Fake profile in online dating is a key phrase to keep in mind. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” is solid advice for most situations. This is especially true online. Online dating can be like venturing into the untamed Wild West. It comes with certain risks. Always be cautious and trust your instincts.
One major risk is being ripped off by an unscrupulous Internet scammer. Your rational side knows this possibility exists. However, it’s often a fear pushed to the back of your mind. You think getting scammed is something that happens to other people. It’s like the cautionary tales told on the local news. Surely, it’s not going to happen to you, right?
How to identify a fake profile or a catfish
The odds are generally in your favour, but it’s always wise to be prepared. Recently, SeekingArrangement.com released a report titled The Face of Fraud. This report helps online daters distinguish between genuine profiles and fake ones. The site reviewed 60,000 banned accounts and found that fake profiles share certain common traits. Here are seven key signs that you might be dealing with a scam artist:
When evaluating profiles on sex dating platforms, there are several key indicators that might reveal a fake profile. For example, a common fake profile tactic is listing their religion as “Catholic.” While many Catholics are genuine, 82% of banned profiles on SeekingArrangement chose “Catholic” as their religion.
Another red flag is when a profile’s relationship status is “Widowed.” This status is often used to evoke sympathy and make it easier to deceive others. In fact, 63% of banned profiles on SeekingArrangement claimed to be “Widowed.”
Gender is also a significant indicator. Among the 60,000 fraudulent profiles, 29% identified as male, while a staggering 71% listed their gender as female.
Education level can also be telling. Many scammers claim to have a Ph.D., as 54% of the banned profiles did. This claim is used to appear more credible and trustworthy.
Location is another clue. Many fraudulent profiles come from “Nigeria” or “Ukraine.” The infamous Nigerian scam accounts for 28% of banned profiles, with Ukraine following closely at 23%. The Philippines ranks third, with 21% of banned profiles.
Ethnicity can also be misleading. A surprising 36% of scam profiles claimed to be “Native American,” despite Native Americans comprising less than 2% of the American population. The misconception here is that foreign scammers mistakenly believe “Native American” refers to any US-born citizen rather than the indigenous peoples of North America.
Finally, occupations listed in fake profiles are often vague or implausible. Around 26% describe themselves as generic “Engineers,” 25% claim to be “Royalty” (a rather curious job title), and 23% use the ambiguous “Self-Employed.” These signs can help you spot a fake profile and avoid falling victim to scams in the world of sex dating.
If your online date claims to be a widowed Catholic woman living in Nigeria, with Native American ancestry and a Ph.D. in engineering, you might want to be cautious. Such profiles often raise red flags. It’s usually best to move on and consider the next profile.
