What’s a deal breaker for anyone on a dating site? Someone who is a fraud, or a liar, or cat fishing, or fake photos. Its all in the same pot. When someone begins a conversation with you, and you are excited, and somewhere down the road right before you are about to meet - out comes the bad news.
Identifying Online Scams and Relationship Deal Breakers
Index
- Introduction
- Spotting Dating Scams
- Agencies How they Help
- Red Flags in Conversations
- Relationship Deal Breakers
- Conclusion
- Tools for Readers
Introduction
When it comes to dating and having relationships online, things can be tough. It helps to know some online scams and relationship deal breakers to avoid getting hurt and disappointed. To ensure you choose your partner wisely, this guide will show the warning signs in online and offline relationships.
Spotting Dating Scams
The occurrence of dating scams online has risen to unprecedented levels. However, identifying a fake could save you time, effort, money, and grief.
Catfish Signs
There are red flags that suggest you are being catfished by an online scammer. Look for these indicators in a scammer. For example:
Perfect Photos Staged
If all the pictures look like a professional photoshoot with some famous background, then it is a scam. The pictures of models from sites like modeling agencies and from social media accounts are used by them. These photos look very good, heavily edited and lack authenticity of casual photos. Check for odd lighting, weird positioning, and photos being used across profiles.
Wrong Ethnicity
If a profile presents as one ethnicity but has “mixed” in its description, be suspicious. Scammers do this while creating their profile hoping to attract a bigger audience. If the information they invent is not very familiar to them, it is very suspicious. It is common for scammers to mismatch their claims, pictures, and personal history, which gives away their scam.
Language is Strange
Scammers use translation apps so their grammar and wording is off. Use their text messages to vet them. Scammers usually misuse tenses, put sentences that do not belong there, and do not understand everyday slang. If their texts look robotic and repetitive and have odd phrases it’s a red flag that they are responding with a template or a translation tool, it’s not theirs so don’t reach out till you believe them.
Social Media Missing
They might not have many profiles or a barely recognizable social media presence altogether. They will often come up with some excuse to not video call or meet you in person. Their tales don’t match up or have too much drama to get sympathy or cash. Always check their user profile on other channels for authenticity before you start.
Agencies How they Help
Agencies help scammers in their scamming game, and that’s a fact that cannot be denied. Some scammers use a template that agencies provide. Common patterns include.
I’ve Made it!
This verification gives recipients a false sense of security so they would comply with the errors and not get suspicious. Claiming a profession in finance or owning multiple businesses. When scammers are confronted with questions for details, they start changing their stories and threaten the victims with dire consequences. They did this to attract potential victims who are lured in by money and status.
Bitcoin Professional
Some scam companies train their members on the scam. They frequently converse about all things cryptocurrency. After, they will entice you to invest in a fake scheme further down the road. Be cautious with scammers if the recent person you met on the internet is talking about bitcoin, trading & investment in cryptocurrency without any provocation.
Same Profile Everywhere
There are multiple agencies that are creating profiles having the same old description. They don't provide unique information to people; they appear good. When profiles have similar descriptions, it gives an impression of a scam. If you observe multiple profiles using the same phrases, hobbies, or interests, you can assume a scam for sure. Look at profiles on various dating websites and social media platforms to check for similar types of content.
How to Spot the Game
Scammers get scripted lines, a fake background and a set number of responses from the agency to stay in the game. Agencies train people to emotionally bond quickly and stay in the game. They also use psychological tactics to deceive. This makes it tough to tell what the person means. We must remain vigilant and alert to observe such things.
Red Flags in Conversation
Scammers try to rush you into a relationship by making you fall in love with them. This is a major red flag. Some scammers.
Red Flag
It’s a red flag when they send pictures of their passport so early on. Fake documentation is used to lure victims into believing the scammer is real. Would be sending passport photos early on, which no legitimate person would do. Your first online interaction with someone and they are sending documents? Major red flag.
Don’t answer simple questions
They go directly and deflect to finances. Scam artists tend to have scripts ready; they will have a ‘verbal statement’ handy. However, you can catch them off-guard with simple issues like an unexpected request or a sudden change in topic. If they're always changing the topic to money, investments, or having sad stories about money problems, they may want to trick you into sending money.
Rush
the conversation, making grandiose claims about their love and commitment. Scammers may try to attach quickly, knowing that their deception won’t last long. Their use of deception may become apparent any time. If any person is too fast-moving with love and relationship talk and is making huge proclamations of love in days or weeks, then be careful.
Speech is Off
Moreover, scammers often show mismatched speech patterns or a lack of cultural understanding that fits their supposed background. They may use overly generalized responses that feel scripted, and they may forget what you spoke about before. If you feel something isn’t right, step away and don’t proceed any further. If something seems too nice, chances are that it is not true.
Relationship Deal Breakers
Every healthy relationship is based on respect, trust, and compatibility with other qualities. Check out the key deal breakers which are indicators of trouble ahead.
Horrible Behaviour
An absolute deal breaker of a relationship is abusive behaviour on any level. Any departure from respect in a relationship is a reason to run away.
Where's my Personal Space?
You don’t want someone who is with you all the time and gives you no time to relax by yourself, put some restrictions. If they don’t respect boundaries, that’s a deal breaker.
Arrogance
Confidence is charming, but arrogance, vanity isn’t. It's possible to put up with this at first, but as the looks fade, the flaws become apparent. Tackle this issue as soon as possible before it affects your relationship.
Slob
Cleanness matters in any relationship and thus bad hygiene is definitely a red flag. Not keeping oneself clean or not following simple hygiene rules is a huge no. It should be a matter-of-course to shower and be clean.
I Don't Care
To lack ambition and be lazy can drain one’s relationship. A lack of ambition in your partner can be viewed as a major red flag. When both partners push each other to be better, it makes the relationship thrive.
Conclusion
Whether you are using an online dating platform or managing a brick and mortar relationship, knowing the scams and recognizing the deal breakers is important. Scammers take advantage of hope but toxic relationships drain it. Always pay attention to your surroundings, set boundaries, and know when to walk away to avoid heartaches.
Additional Reading
Tools for Readers
Reverse Image Search:
Use Google Reverse Image Search to see if a profile picture appears elsewhere on the world wide web.
Grammar Check
Use for strange wording or unnatural writing style in messages.
Background Checkers if Serious
You can use someone’s background checking services if something seems off with their identity
Trust Your Gut
Take some time and notice if something seems too good to be true. Be careful and choose wisely! As the adage goes - if too good to be true, then take a second or third look!
Written By: Anthony Rand. B.A., B.A., LL.M.
About the Author
Anthony Rand is a relationship expert with over 35 years of experience in the dating world. He has helped individuals navigate the complexities of modern relationships. He has authored numerous articles on topics ranging from online dating strategies to building lasting relationships. He holds degrees, including an LL.M. (Master of Laws) and two Bachelor of Arts degrees.
Disclaimer
Please remember, there is much variation and diversity in life. Within this variation come various expectations and differences. What may work in the article above may not work for others. While this article does provide great insight and strong fundamentals it cannot answer all the issues. It is limited in its scope, since every relationship is different. Follow your heart and mind to see what works best for you.
For further inquiries on the subject, please email our company email.
Updated Jan 30 / 2025