At First Rounds On Me, we’re not just about connecting hearts; we’re committed to protecting them too. That’s why on October 3rd, we observe World Romance Scam Prevention Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the perils of online romance scams and ensuring our love journeys are safe and secure. In honor of this important day, let’s explore the world of romance scams, how they work, and how First Rounds On Me helps keep your heart—and your wallet—safe…

How These Online Romance Scams Work

Romance scammers are not just opportunistic fraudsters; they are cunning manipulators who prey on vulnerability, exploiting emotions to achieve their deceitful goals. And online romance scams are not purely about financial loss either; they can shatter trust, confidence, and emotional well-being. Here’s an in-depth look at how these scams operate…

Creating Deceptive Personas: Scammers initiate their schemes by crafting elaborate fake profiles. They source stolen photos and assume fictitious identities, meticulously designing attractive online personas. These profiles are often brimming with charm and charisma, making them seem like the perfect match.

Building a Web of Emotional Connection: Scammers invest significant time and effort in weaving emotional bonds with their targets. They employ a variety of tactics, such as showering their victims with flattery, affectionate messages, and declarations of love. Through a carefully constructed facade, they create an illusion of a genuine, deep connection.

Fabricating Heart-Wrenching Emergencies: As trust deepens, scammers introduce fabricated crises into the narrative. These emergencies can take various forms, from fake accidents and sudden illnesses to financial hardships or urgent travel needs. These tales of woe are meticulously designed to pull at the victim’s heartstrings, appealing to their sympathy and innate kindness.

Isolation and Alienation: To maintain control and prevent victims from seeking outside help, scammers often employ isolation tactics. They may subtly discourage their targets from confiding in friends and family, fostering a sense of emotional dependence on the scammer. This isolation further entrenches the victim in the fraudulent relationship.

The Ultimate Request for Money: After establishing a deep emotional connection, scammers make their move. They request money, using the victim’s attachment against them. Victims, believing they are assisting a loved one in genuine distress, are more likely to comply. The emotional investment built over time makes it increasingly difficult for victims to discern the scam.

How You Can Stay Safe

Beware of Quick Romance: Romance scammers often operate on a tight schedule, swiftly pushing for emotional commitment and, eventually, financial assistance. If someone appears overly eager and rushes the relationship, proceed with caution.

Be Wary of Sob Stories: While connecting with potential matches on dating apps, it’s essential to be mindful of those who frequently share sob stories. Scammers will pray on your sympathy as a means to their deceitful ends. These tales of hardship might tug at your heartstrings, but it’s crucial to exercise caution when confronted with such situations.

Don’t Send Money: One golden rule in online dating is to never send money to someone you’ve never met in person. Regardless of the emotional narratives or seemingly urgent needs, financial transactions with virtual acquaintances usually only ever leads to a scam.

Do Your Homework: In the age of information, it’s prudent to do a bit of detective work. Use search engines to your advantage by Googling your match’s name and cross-referencing their photos. Scammers often reuse profiles and images across different platforms, and a quick online search can reveal inconsistencies that may help you spot a potential scam. Though once you’ve determined that this person is who they say they are, take your detective hat off and remind yourself that the more intimate information is so much better learned in person.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter any behavior that raises suspicion or red flags during your interactions with a match, don’t hesitate to report it to the dating app’s support team. Additionally, most dating apps offer a blocking feature, which you can use to prevent further contact with suspicious users.

Trust Your Gut: Your instincts are your best allies in the world of online dating. If something about a match’s story or behavior doesn’t sit right with you, don’t ignore that feeling. Trust your gut; it’s often a reliable indicator of potential scams or fraudulent activity..

First Rounds On Me’s Commitment to Safety:

At First Rounds On Me, your safety is our top priority and we are committed to providing you with a dating platform that values your well-being in every sense. We believe that love should be joyful and free from fear, so we’ve taken proactive steps to protect you:

1. Profile Verification: We implement stringent verification processes to authenticate user profiles, reducing the risk of encountering fake accounts.
2. Report and Block: If you ever encounter suspicious activity or feel uneasy about a user’s behavior, our in-app reporting feature allows you to swiftly bring it to our attention. We investigate such reports diligently, taking necessary action to maintain a safe community.
3. Scam Awareness: Knowledge is a potent tool against scams. We provide resources and information to educate our users about the tactics employed by romance scammers. Awareness is the first line of defense, and we empower you with the knowledge to recognize and avoid potential scams.
4. Location : Like a best friend with your location settings turned up to max, we know where you are, at what time and with whom. Making sure when you do step out on that first date, you feel confident and safe.
5. Emergency Contact : And if by some chance you don’t, or the person you’ve met with doesn’t match their profile, we give you the ability to store an emergency contact within the app. So, when we do our check in ( which happens about an hour into the date ) you are able to simply click a button that will alert your EC. No more hiding in the bathroom trying to come up with an excuse or haphazardly texting a friend under the table.
6. Customer Support: Our dedicated support team is here for you. If you have concerns, questions, or doubts about any interaction on our platform, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

While we earnestly strive to provide a secure dating environment, it’s important to acknowledge that there is only so much any online dating platform can do. Your active involvement and heightened awareness are indispensable tools in safeguarding not only yourself, but also your fellow online daters. So, on this World Romance Scam Prevention Day, let us stand united against deceitful schemes that prey on emotions. Together, we can effect change, making the realm of online dating safer, more transparent, and ultimately more enjoyable for all. Stay safe my loves, until next time x