How do I know if the person I'm dating online is a scammer?
The clearest sign is money: a person you have never met who asks for M-Pesa, airtime or a bank transfer is almost always a scammer. Before that you usually see strong feelings very fast, a job that keeps them away and excuses not to meet or video call.
Romance scammers follow a script. They find you on a dating app, Instagram or TikTok, move the chat to WhatsApp quickly and talk to you every day until you feel close. Then a problem appears that only your money can solve.
One sign on its own proves nothing. Some people really are shy or work far away. It is the pattern, and above all the request for money, that should make you stop.
Signs to watch for
- They say they love you before you have met or seen each other on video.
- They always have a reason they can't meet or video call.
- Their story is hard to check: abroad, on a ship, on a mission, in a hospital.
- They ask you to keep the relationship secret.
- Sooner or later they need money, and it is always urgent.
Frequently asked questions
- We've chatted for months. Can it still be a scam?
- Yes. Scammers can spend months on one person. A long chat says nothing about whether the person is who they claim to be.
- What can Veritaza check?
- The photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and an ID document if the person sent one. The report shows warning signs; if nothing is found, that's a good sign, but not proof.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for KSh 300.
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