The person I met online wants our relationship kept secret. Is that a red flag?
It can be. Scammers ask for secrecy so that nobody close to you can warn you. If the person also asks for money, treat it as a serious warning sign.
A scammer's biggest risk is a friend or relative who says "this sounds like a scam". So they say things like "people will be jealous" or "keep this between us until we meet".
Someone with honest intentions has no reason to stop you from talking to the people you trust.
What to do
- Tell someone you trust about the relationship.
- Notice if they get angry when you mention others.
- Do not send money while you are being asked to keep secrets.
- Check their photos and number.
Frequently asked questions
- They say it is because they are a private person. Could that be true?
- It could. But privacy and asking you to hide them from everyone are different things. Watch what else they ask for.
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 USh 7,000.
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