Online dating is one of the most dangerous activities in the online world, even if it seems harmless. There are many risks involved when people communicate with a stranger online, especially when the stranger is from the Philippines.  Make no mistake, there are many criminals and scammers operating in the Philippines with one objective: to scam a victim out of their money via the Internet.

It is important to understand that the online scam business has been in place for a long time in the Philippines. This is a country where a significant percentage of the population speaks English well, high speed internet is accessible to almost everyone, and fraud and corruption are deeply nested in every level of life. The Philippines is known to be a place where people can fake the impossible, even their own death. This is the reason why crime rings have set up big online fraud operations in the Philippines, including online dating schemes managed by mafia rings.  With poverty widespread, the temptation is there for Filipinos to engage in illegal activity and target victims online.

What risks are we talking about?

Victims of online dating fraud can be victimized and defrauded in many ways. The most common is to find people who lost money because they sent it to their online partner to assist with life expenses, a hardship situation, documents or requirements to travel. Some victims have been providing funds to help their Filipina girlfriend for years before they realize they have been scammed.

However, there are many other dangers in dating a Filipina gold-digger online. Victims have reported they were deceived to sponsor a fiancée visa, but the true intentions of the fraudster were to change their immigration status and to take advantage of the victim’s financial status. Other victims report being hacked and having their identity stolen and used for fraudulent transactions. Many have suffered of sextortion scams and have lived with the fear of blackmail for long.

In more sophisticated cases, there is never a request for money, but instead the scammer slowly gains the victim’s trust, and obtains access to the victim’s computer, passwords, online bank accounts, and can make matters even worse by stealing your identity.  The result is devastating.

How to stay safe?

According to private detectives in the Philippines, the first step is to understand how dating scams work. Scammers typically create fake online profiles designed to lure you in, either using a fictional name or falsely adopting the identities of real people. The trick is not to try to outsmart the criminal, but to be cautious and look for professional help.  Know the red flags, and verify with a professional.

Being skeptical is essential in any online relationship. Once you determine that there is someone online that you like, getting a dating background check investigation in the Philippines is a must. Taking the decision to verify if the person you have been communicating with is real or not, right at the beginning of the relationship, will avoid trouble later. Private investigations and dating background checks are a good investment and smart choice to getting the facts and staying safe.

Finally, many cases of fraud in the Philippines are carried away by real people who have no criminal past. Surveillance in the Philippines can help discard other dangers by providing evidence of the subject’s whereabouts, lifestyle and relationship status.   Being cautious is key to stay safe in any online relationship. Have you met someone online?  Contact us today for a free quote!

C. Wright
© 2018 Philippine PI

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