How to Avoid Latin America Dating Website Scams

Most women scammers are simply after money. They don't usually tend to be terribly sophisticated about it either. Only the most brazen internet dating scammers will directly ask you to send them money. Most will simply tell you a sad story then hope you'll offer to send them money to sort out their problems. You are strongly advised NOT to send money, as sending $10 is on the slippery slope to sending $100, and then $1000. There are some online dating sites that ban men for sending money to women they have listed. If men did not send money to women then there wouldn't be nearly so much dating fraud occurring.

A variant of the sending money scam is an advanced fee fraud. Nigerian scammers love this type of scam. Usually it involves a man or woman making travel plans to meet you. Only the travel plans will go wrong and the other person will ask you for money to sort it out. Airline tickets, excess baggage, custom charges, visa applications and other travel related items are popular topics for these types of stories.

At this point it's worth mentioning that men and women from developing countries in general CANNOT get a visa to travel to your country. So if a Costa Rica, Colombian or other Latin American woman says they will come and visit you then be very suspicious indeed. A possible exception could be made for wealthy ladies who have previously traveled to your country, but these aren't generally the types of lady you'll come across in the search for a mail order bride.

Other common scams are ladies acting as affiliates of other websites. I've personally been contacted by Colombian ladies who have wanted me to chat on another more expensive dating site. Many ladies (particularly Colombians) also tout for business for webcam chat room sites they're affiliates of. Again, just avoid these members altogether.

There is some evidence that some internet dating scammers are interested in identity theft or putting malware on your computer. Always be careful of telling dating site members too much about yourself, and don't send them photos of yourself or your families until you get to know them quite well. If you're using dating sites it's also essential to pay attention to computer security and keep your computer up to date. There's some evidence of viruses being spread using chat software like MSN, Skype and QQ, so be wary of accepting downloaded files from people you meet on dating sites.

it's also worth bearing in mind that scammers are often in the Òtoo good to be trueÓ category of dating site member. So if you're contacted by a sexy 20 year old Colombian girl then take a reality check. If you met them in the street would they give you a second glance?

Bear in mind that scammers usually use stolen photos which they've got from Facebook, Flickr or another dating site. Of the scammers I've seen, I'd say that the ladies were mostly girls in their 20?s to 30?s. They were usually cute looking. Invariably they would contact my clients first, and would often tell my clients their email address in their first email. All of these are big red flags, so be cautious.

So internet dating can be a great way to find some love in your life. However, it's essential to be on the lookout for online dating scams. Dating scammers operate on all dating sites, so never let your guard down if you want to find love online. If you are using such a site and have questions concerning the site or the activities of your lady friend please feel free to contact me for more information.

Cody L. Gear is a "private investigator in Costa Rica". With more than 20 years of investigative experience in both public and private investigations, Cody L. Gear & Associates utilize a process of analysis, experience and action to provide our clients value and expeditious resolution to problems encountered. Learn more about fraud, theft and infidelity in Costa Rica and interact with Cody directly on his "Costa Rica Private Investigator" Facebook page.

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