They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. Well, if you’ve ever seen a photo of a romance scammer, you know this is true! Romance scammers often use fake photos of attractive men and women to get people hooked on their scams.
These can be found all over social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. It’s essential that we talk about these pictures because they fool unsuspecting victims into thinking they are talking with someone who could be their perfect match.
In reality, it’s just another person looking for money. If you ever come across a photo that does not look like the person in it, you should be very skeptical. If you are interested in learning more about spotting these photos, read on and discover what they may look like!
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Romance Scammer Photos – The Attributes
1: The scammer will “pretend” to be your love interest
Romance scammers frequently establish fictitious web profiles, complete with images of attractive people that have been stolen from the public domain. They’ll pretend to be someone you’re interested in and start a conversation with you about it.
They’ll even use the same picture on multiple dating services simultaneously if they can get away with it. If something appears to be too good to be true, it almost certainly is. If you haven’t met the individual in person, don’t send them any money or give them any personal information.
Aside from that, be cautious when clicking on links or downloading files from someone you do not know. It’s conceivable that they include malware that can cause damage to your computer’s operation.
If you believe you have been a victim of a romance scam, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission immediately (FTC). You can also contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area for assistance.
2: Scammers try to find people who are lonely or have had bad luck
Many scammers try to find lonely people and will be more likely to fall in love. For example, if someone has just lost their spouse, the scammer may try to exploit that by pretending to be a loving and understanding person.
They may also look for people who have had bad luck in life, such as unemployment or financial troubles. These people are often more likely to believe what the scammer says because they may feel like they have nothing else to lose.
Often, scammers will prey on people’s emotions to get them to send money or give away personal information. For example, photos of a romance scammer may be very professional and seem too good to be true.
They may have many photos with different people, making the victim think they are popular and in high demand.
The scammer may also use fake profiles on dating websites or social media platforms to gain the victim’s trust. Often, they will start conversations with the victim by asking about their life and interests.
3: They might use photos that are stolen from other websites
While anyone can steal photos, Romance Scammers are especially good at it because they take the time to create fake profiles using real people’s pictures.
They try their best not to get caught by posting “borrowed” images that closely resemble them (hair color and length; face shape; complexion) to make you believe they’re telling the truth when this person doesn’t exist.
You should also look for profile pictures with very little information or too many group shots. If all of your communication has been through text messages so far, ask yourself why you haven’t seen a single photo if they say they have several uploaded onto their account?
If you suspect that the person you’re talking to may be a scammer, there are some things you can do to verify their identity.
First, try reverse image searching the profile picture on Google or TinEye and see if it pops up on other websites. You could also do a simple web search for the name used in the profile to see if anything comes up.
4: Some scammers may also create fake profiles on dating sites
Scammers frequently use forged profiles in their scams. They would frequently present themselves as an affluent individual looking for love. Their photographs may be of professional quality, and they may even go to the lengths of fabricating a false narrative to appear more credible.
When you begin speaking with someone online, exercise extreme caution, especially if their profile appears to be too good to be true. Some scammers also utilize images of real persons not involved in the scam.
These victims are frequently unaware that their photograph is being used without their consent, and they may find themselves being held responsible for the fraud when it is discovered.
If you’re ever contacted by someone who claims to be in love with you yet needs money for a financial emergency, you should be highly skeptical. This individual is likely a con artist. If something appears to be too good to be true, it almost certainly is!
5: If the person you’re talking to is asking for money, then it’s likely a scam
Money is one of the biggest complaints in a romance scam. They say they need money for a sick parent, their house burned down, or to get out of jail. This is a scam, don’t send them money. If the person you’re talking to is asking for money, then it’s likely a scam.
It doesn’t matter if they say their mom died of cancer or are in jail and need bail money – this is most likely not true.
They want your cash! If someone asks for financial help but refuses to offer proof (such as sending copies of medical bills), video chat with them on FaceTime and meet up face-to-face before ever giving out any personal information or wiring any funds – that should be all the proof you need!
Don’t fall into these scams – stay clear away from anyone who makes requests like this. Don’t become another victim; report romance scammers to the FTC. If you’re not sure if a person is trying to scam you, ask yourself these questions:
- Are they asking for money?
- Do they refuse to meet in person or talk on video chat?
- Is their story inconsistent or too good to be true?
If you replied yes to any of these questions, you are most certainly a victim of a scam. Report the individual to the Federal Trade Commission and remain protected! Romance scams are a significant problem; don’t let yourself become a victim of one of these schemes.
Some Open Questions
What is a scammer’s profile on social networks?
A scammer’s profile on social networks is very similar to a real person. They will have selfies, family photos, and friends in their profiles that are all fake. This is just a way for them to gain your trust, and they will use the photos of innocent people. Be careful! Many of these profiles are not real; you can find out if someone is fake by paying attention to the details, such as bad English or poor grammar.
What do scammers say in emails?
Romance Scammers usually write letters with spelling mistakes and incorrect sentences using translation software. Even though their words seem sweet at first, romance scamming comes from men who want money from women worldwide and those living overseas (usually looking for American women to scam).
How do I know if someone is a scammer?
Unfortunately, since most scammers usually construct an elaborate fictional history for themselves, there’s no easy way to tell if they’re real or not until you meet them in person—or at least get a chance to talk on a video call or phone calls that can be recorded later. A profile that lacks detail, clear photos, or even someone who won’t meet you or call you is a huge red flag!
Takeaway
Now that you’ve seen what they look like, you’ll be better prepared to avoid becoming a victim of one of these bad boys.
If not, at the very least, you now understand that this is something that individuals do and what the end outcome will be for your money if you fall into their trap. Always exercise caution while disclosing personal information to someone you have only recently met.
Also, always double-check their legitimacy before sending any money to them. Perhaps it will prevent a great deal of pain in the future for you and those who care about you!
Could You Be A Victim Of A Romance Scam?!
It is important that you perform a quick background check on who you are actually speaking to on the internet (you can do that here). The common questions that spring to mind are:
- Are they using fake identities?
- Am I really speaking to a real person from the USA?
To help the users of this site we have partnered with BeenVerified so you can check exactly that. This checking service reveals everything about this would be romance scammer and if they are a real person!
Helpful Information Available on BeenVerified:
- Arrest Records (Please check this!)
- Photos (Helps check if the same photos are used for multiple profiles with different names)
- Email Addresses
- Phone Numbers
- Social Profiles (IMPORTANT – Do they have a real social profile or multiple)
- Home Addresses
- Relatives & Associates
- Sex Offenders Register (Be safe who you are meeting!)
- And More…
If you have the slightest doubt about who you are speaking to… Please use this service!