Someone I met online says "send me transport" so we can meet. Should I send it?
Be very careful. Many people ask for transport and then never arrive, or block you once the money is sent. If you want to meet, meet in a public place you can each reach on your own.
"Send me transport" sounds small and reasonable, which is why it works. Some people do it to many matches at once and collect a little from each. Others use it as a test: if you send transport, the next request is bigger.
Someone who really wants to meet you can usually get to a café or mall in town on their own, or agree to share the cost after you meet.
What to do
- Suggest meeting in a busy public place you both can reach.
- Do not send mobile money to someone you have never met.
- Notice if the excuses grow: transport, then lunch, then a phone that broke.
- Check their photos and number before you agree to meet.
Frequently asked questions
- It is only a few thousand shillings. Does it matter?
- The amount is small, but it shows whether the person is there for you or for your money. A small request that works is often followed by a bigger one.
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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