The New Standard in Scamming

[jone]

Over the years our readership has become sophisticated in detecting scams and staying away from the Agency Chatroom Girls that make up many of the PPL (Pay Per Letter) and PPC (Pay Per Chat) websites.  The new standard of scamming has also risen in sophistication. 

In what the industry has coined the "Nigerian Dating Scam", scammers are targeting the mainstream subscription and free dating websites to target men more directly. 

Typically, the scam begins by the scammer posting attractive pictures on the dating website.  Not too much information is given and not too many pictures are displayed.  Instead, the profile is maintained only for a short period of time.  The purpose of the profile is simply to initiate conversation on an email address only.  A good scammer can put a profile up for two days and get over 100 conversations started with possible targets.  The subscription and free sites are a 'target rich' environment.   

The scammer does not want the host website to become aware of what is happening, that the scammer is siphoning off users to email conversations.  Once the website administrator trips to what is going on, strident anti-scamming policies will reduce the ability for scamming to occur.

So why does the scammer wish to move the mark off the site and into email conversation?  Two reasons:  The first is to move them away from competing profiles - to isolate the mark and get them to commit.  The second reason an email address is desirable is that it allows the scammer to respond in a store-and-forward fashion.  A single response in two days more than accommodates the mark's growing need for a relationship.  Keep in mind that the scammer is playing the numbers.   Out of the 100 or so marks picked up from two days online, five or so will produce.  But that number is more than sufficient for the single run of two days on the website.

Once the mark is into an email relationship, the scammer innundates with pictures.  Pictures make up for intimacy.  The more pictures there are, the easier it is to forge the next level of the relationship, or the pitch.   At this point, the scammer will typically give a phone number, but never Skype or Viber.  Skype or Viber will allow the mark to ascertain if the scammer is real.   But having phone conversations, there is no way to tell if you are even talking to the same gal in the pictures.

So now comes the pitch.  Typically it can be for many things:  1.  Birthday; 2.  Unemployed; 3. Modem access/cell phone upgrade to talk; 4.  Visa to come visit;  5.  Travel expenses.   The list goes on and on.  The scammer will tailor the pitch to how the conversation is going. 

Many of the men that are sending money overseas are thinking that they are actually in a relationship.  They don't understand that there is no way to ascertain if the woman is real.  She may be married, or the scammer may be using another's pictures.  Even if she comes on Skype, she may still have a husband in the other room coaching her as to what to say.  The simple truth:  If you haven't met a woman in person, never send money.

I can't tell you how many guys are guilty of doing just the opposite.  How to determine early on in the relationship whether you are being scammed or the lady is really into you?  1.  See her online; on Skype or Viber.  2.  Find her in social settings such as VK or Facebook or Instagram.  If the lady says she doesn't have these, then she is waving a big red flag in front of your nose.  Just remember the one thing that all of these women know:  Very few men actually get on planes.  The biggest call is to arrange a meeting as soon as you think you are serious.  Until then, NO MONEY.

[JayH]

There is another piece here--a profile on VK( & obviously could be on any social networking site) is created that supports  profiles on "dating" contact sites where information is gathered.
The presence on VK is used to support the idea of a real person behind it.

In addition-- photos and profile stealing is as rife( more so?) than ever.

Also-- the email address can be used to send an entry to your computer/phone and your information-so-beware!!

[Trenchcoat]

What I've learnt in the brief few months I've been doing the correspondence with the help of those on here is that these days there is little reason to send money, most stuff such as travel expenses, etc can be purchased online. I think it is more healthier for a relationship not to be based on money, so small inexpensive gifts £$50-60 or so regardless of whether your loaded or not rather than hundreds and thousands. Just sends out the wrong message otherwise and if the girl is genuine then she'll love it all the same. I think that's why someone in another thread mentioned Belarus woman can seem more genuine as they have not been exposed to guys going in throwing around lots of money messing it up for themselves and everyone else. Think the not spending much money needs to be promoted to the fullest to take the lucrative nature away from this scene which is doing no one any good.   

[Shadow]

Nice explanation however you are far behind on modern technology. I have in my possesion software that will change your voice in a way that I can speak and you will hear a female talking. Also I have software that will display a female character who will show the emotions I wish by pressing a button, talk wave and do whatever is done in a real conversation.
This can be hooked up to Skype or Viber and marks will not believe they speak to a real woman. The one downside is that the number of female actors is limited, on the upside the number of marks is not.
What I have is over 10 years old and while working still is rather crude. I will bet that professionals have modern versions that will have hundreds of actors and voices, and the ability to lipsync the sound.

Using modern software tools I could fool people to think I am a woman. And I am not on the level of a professional scammer.

[Bee Farmer]

I think it is more healthier for a relationship not to be based on money, so small inexpensive gifts £$50-60 or so regardless of whether your loaded or not rather than hundreds and thousands.

You need to wake up and smell the roses, because you have your head stuck someplace else.  You are clueless.   

The average salary in Ukraine is something like USD $150 a month.  "Small, inexpensive gifts" worth £$50-60 is HALF her monthly salary.  Do you see the problems caused by such an extreme income disparity?  Do you see why it is so easy for men to lead with their wallets, and why it is so tempting for foreign girls to scam guys?

If you are giving gifts worth £$50-60 is leading with your wallet.  It may seem "small and inexpensive" to you, but it is extravagant to a girl.

Would you consider giving gifts to a local girl worth 1/2 of her monthly salary?

Buy the girl dinner and flowers, but hold off on giving high value gifts of £$50-60 until you are further into the relationship.  Try showing the girl that you are a good man, instead of showing her that you are a gold man.

[alex330]

Depends on the girl really. Age, looks, if she is popular at an agency all come into play.

A young good looking and in demand woman at an agency may only make $200 per month, but trust me a $50 gift is NOTHING. There are guys offerring 5-10k dollar gifts, vacations, expensive jewelry, etc.

[mhr7]

You need to wake up and smell the roses, because you have your head stuck someplace else.  You are clueless.   

The average salary in Ukraine is something like USD $150 a month.  "Small, inexpensive gifts" worth £$50-60 is HALF her monthly salary.  Do you see the problems caused by such an extreme income disparity?  Do you see why it is so easy for men to lead with their wallets, and why it is so tempting for foreign girls to scam guys?

If you are giving gifts worth £$50-60 is leading with your wallet.  It may seem "small and inexpensive" to you, but it is extravagant to a girl.

Would you consider giving gifts to a local girl worth 1/2 of her monthly salary?

Buy the girl dinner and flowers, but hold off on giving high value gifts of £$50-60 until you are further into the relationship.  Try showing the girl that you are a good man, instead of showing her that you are a gold man.

If you're too cheap to pay $50 for a gift, this adventure probably isn't for you. She'll wonder what else you're too cheap to provide and the competition may pass you buy.

[treadmilldude]

Good advice. I have some more good advice for the fellas of this forum. Do not, under any circumstances, ever use Anastasiadate.com / Russianbrides.com. Let me repeat that one more time for emphasis....Do not, under any circumstances, ever use Anastasiadate.com / Russianbrides.com.

[jone]

Hey, Treadmill Dude, don't mean to rain on your parade, but your signature line takes up half a page.  Couldn't you find something a little less obtrusive?

[treadmilldude]

Jone, no problem, I am sorry about that. I am taking care of that right now. 

[LAman]

Good advice. I have some more good advice for the fellas of this forum. Do not, under any circumstances, ever use Anastasiadate.com / Russianbrides.com. Let me repeat that one more time for emphasis....Do not, under any circumstances, ever use Anastasiadate.com / Russianbrides.com.

That is only advice for the lonely, desperate men that are fishing waaaay out of their league and have no sense of reality. If one is sensible, realistic in expectations, serious, fairly well off....... then it makes little difference where you search!!!

[BillyB]

I have in my possesion software that will change your voice in a way that I can speak and you will hear a female talking.

Kinky. How often do you play with that software? What the men here want to know is do you have software that will make them sound like a real man when they're talking?

I have some more good advice for the fellas of this forum. Do not, under any circumstances, ever use Anastasiadate.com / Russianbrides.com. Let me repeat that one more time for emphasis....Do not, under any circumstances, ever use Anastasiadate.com / Russianbrides.com.

We have passed that advice around 100's of times. Some men are too stubborn and think they can beat the system to win the love of a hot photoshopped girl but as always, in the end the system beats them.

[Shadow]

Kinky. How often do you play with that software? What the men here want to know is do you have software that will make them sound like a real man when they're talking?

It does male voices as well, the answer is yes.
As for playing, unfortunately not enough time 

[Trenchcoat]

You need to wake up and smell the roses, because you have your head stuck someplace else.  You are clueless.   

The average salary in Ukraine is something like USD $150 a month.  "Small, inexpensive gifts" worth £$50-60 is HALF her monthly salary.  Do you see the problems caused by such an extreme income disparity?  Do you see why it is so easy for men to lead with their wallets, and why it is so tempting for foreign girls to scam guys?

If you are giving gifts worth £$50-60 is leading with your wallet.  It may seem "small and inexpensive" to you, but it is extravagant to a girl.

Would you consider giving gifts to a local girl worth 1/2 of her monthly salary?

Buy the girl dinner and flowers, but hold off on giving high value gifts of £$50-60 until you are further into the relationship.  Try showing the girl that you are a good man, instead of showing her that you are a gold man.

Just call me Goldfinger 

[Trenchcoat]

Depends on the girl really. Age, looks, if she is popular at an agency all come into play.

A young good looking and in demand woman at an agency may only make $200 per month, but trust me a $50 gift is NOTHING. There are guys offering 5-10k dollar gifts, vacations, expensive jewelry, etc.

Exactly, and there the ones messing it up, if only they realized it works better when you give smaller gifts, probably an easy trap to fall into as you think you've got to really impress the girl hence expensive gifts but from what I see now its a mistake to add expensive gifts into the equation with relationships, it just risks setting the relationship and RW dating down the wrong path.

[Faux Pas]

Exactly, and there the ones messing it up, if only they realized it works better when you give smaller gifts, probably an easy trap to fall into as you think you've got to really impress the girl hence expensive gifts but from what I see now its a mistake to add expensive gifts into the equation with relationships, it just risks setting the relationship and RW dating down the wrong path.

Only for "you" are they messing it up. Consider there are other folks on both sides of the equation with other wants and needs that have absolutely nothing to do with your wants and needs. 

[Shadow]

The best way is not to write  so long that gifts sending is needed and showing up to give them in person instead.

[alex330]

Or to find a woman who is not interested in gifts. A well brought up FSUW that knows not to accept gifts from men she is not interested in. One that is searching for more out of life than presents.

[jone]

I am interested in getting a woman I just met a Coco Chanel purse and Saint Laurent  jacket.  My problem is that I don't know how to ask her for her size.  So maybe skip the jacket?

[treadmilldude]

Jone, your profile says you are married to a Russian woman. Do you necessarily think it is a wise decision to be buying some other woman whom you just met an expensive purse and other expensive presents? I have never been married, I am no expert on being a Husband....but my gut tells me your Wife would not like that very much. 

[jone]

 

[treadmilldude]

Jone, I am an idiot. You were using sarcasm and I did not pick up on it. I normally am pretty darn good at picking up on sarcasm, I guess sometimes I fail.

[jone]

Some  day you will have to get Larry1 to relay the story of how he bought his new girlfriend a mink coat.  Would be a great story to tell on April 1st.

[Shadow]

I am interested in getting a woman I just met a Coco Chanel purse and Saint Laurent  jacket.  My problem is that I don't know how to ask her for her size.  So maybe skip the jacket?

Hire a detective to steal her jacket.

[RoboCop]

That website sounds like a suckers paradise. There must be some really naive men out there. I was lucky in my search that my interactions with scammers, pro-daters and gold diggers were few and far between.

Thanks for pointing this out.