The person I'm dating online asked me to keep our relationship secret. Is that a warning sign?
It is a warning sign. Scammers ask for secrecy so that no one around you can say "this sounds like a scam" before you send money.
The reasons given vary: a jealous ex, a sensitive job, a family that wouldn't understand. The effect is the same – you are cut off from the people most likely to notice something is wrong.
Some people are private for real reasons. But secrecy combined with a request for money or personal details is a strong sign.
What to do
- Tell one person you trust about the relationship.
- Ask for a video call and a meeting in person.
- Never send money or share PINs and codes.
- Check the person's photos and number.
- Notice whether the person reacts badly when you set limits.
Frequently asked questions
- They say their spouse is dead and their children are abroad. Should I believe them?
- Sad family stories are a common part of the script. Check the photos and the name before you trust them.
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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