Experts warn those who prefer to use friendship or dating apps to be careful, especially against individuals who want to progress unnaturally fast and who try to collect detailed information about bank accounts or identity details.
Cyber Security Specialist Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol, stating, “Do not share your private images with the other party, do not send significant amounts of money under seemingly humane pretexts, even if they promise to repay it,” also warned, “Approach with caution, and cut off communication if necessary.”
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol, Head of the Cyber Security Master's Program Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, evaluated the issue of meeting people through dating apps and being scammed by them, and made important warnings.
Friendship or dating apps also carry some risks
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol stated that while friendship or dating apps offer an opportunity for some individuals seeking friends of the opposite sex, they also carry certain risks. He said, “It is necessary to be careful when using these applications. One should be cautious of individuals who want to progress unnaturally fast, ask excessively personal questions, inquire about bank accounts, identity information, and workplaces, and constantly try to gather detailed information about you while providing very limited information about themselves.”
Do not send significant amounts of money to the other party with seemingly humane pretexts
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol said, “Try to get to know your interlocutor by meeting them face-to-face at their workplace or in their living area. For security, face-to-face meetings should preferably take place in public places such as workplaces, shopping malls, or cafes.” He also warned, “Do not share your private images with the other party, do not send significant amounts of money under seemingly humane pretexts, even if they promise to repay it. Approach with caution, and cut off communication if necessary.”
Dating scammers present an image of high income levels!
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol pointed out that dating scammers' profile photos generally give the impression of high income levels and living quality standards, and continued his warnings as follows:
“The other party wants to progress the relationship much faster than its natural course and puts pressure on you in this regard. Despite appearing to have a good income level, your interlocutor might ask for a significant amount of money as a loan or aid, using a technical issue preventing access to their bank account as an excuse. They generally evade your request for a face-to-face meeting with various excuses, and for video call requests, they might say their camera is broken or their internet package has run out. They might state that there is a very good investment opportunity, claim they have invested there themselves, and send you a link advising you to invest there as well. Of course, the link they send is a scam site. They might ask you to send identity photos or similar information to prove that the information you provided to them is correct.”
What precautions should be taken against dating scammers?
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol also listed the precautions to be taken against dating scammers as follows:
“Private images should not be shared. Identity information should not be shared. If meeting face-to-face, it should be in public places. Efforts should be made to access information about the person, including their other online accounts, using the information and photos provided by the interlocutor, and to verify the accuracy of the information they stated. Even if the other party has convincing scenarios, significant amounts of money should not be sent. Attention should be paid to the contradiction between their stated financial situation and welfare level in their profile, and the request for help or a loan shortly after meeting you. Do not click on link connections sent by the other party; if necessary, seek help from an expert on the subject. You should also be cautious about investment advice from the person you met on a dating site, and if necessary, you should not hesitate to ask for help from an expert in that field. Online messaging and conversations should continue on the dating site where you met the interlocutor, ensuring it is not fake. If the other party directs you to another application, you should insist on staying on the same platform. The other site they want to direct you to is often one where they can record your confidential information, private images, and have the means to blackmail you.”
How do dating scammers manipulate?
Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Şenol, Head of the Cyber Security Master's Program Department, also provided the following information on how dating scammers manipulate their victims:
“Excessively flashy profile photos, profile photos giving the impression of a studio shoot. Avoiding face-to-face meetings, having you turn on your camera during a video call but not turning on their own camera with certain excuses, showing interest in your private images. Providing very limited information about themselves while asking you very personal questions, including your identity information. Contradictorily requesting a significant amount of money from you under some pretext, despite their profile, the job they claim to do, and their income level. Giving investment advice shortly after meeting, sending links related to the topic. Sending a link by inviting you to chat on another site, asking you to register on that site. Requesting detailed information from you during site registration in a way that does not align with the site's purpose. Thus, they will be able to use the important information you entered while registering on the fake site they directed you to for identity theft in the future.”