Back in the day, people found love in real life… fewer scams, fewer regrets. Today? With the dating app era, your perfect ‘match’ can either be your soulmate or pretty much end up as your worst nightmare. So much so, statistics show that about 80% of modern relationships break in the first few months, and 50% of marriages end in divorce. When it comes to online relationships, these numbers are outright diabolical—with 98% ending before the parties even meet up.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—dating apps.
Social media hype can easily convince you that something is real, fun, and worth trying… until reality hits you like a brick wall. You see posts like:
“I found my husband on this app! We’ve been married for over 20 years!” “Pay $100 and get connected to a rich, white, cute guy or lady!”
These kinds of posts sparked my curiosity, and eventually, I decided to give dating apps a try.
So, back in 2020, I joined not just one, but several dating apps—including Facebook dating groups (which I now consider the worst of them all). Of course, I was excited, like anyone would be when trying something new, hoping for the best.
I matched with a guy who claimed to be living in California. We talked for two weeks, and yeah—we clicked. Then one day, out of the blue, he said:
“My darling, we’ve been talking for a while now and I feel like we’re truly compatible. You’re such a good lady and deserve to be spoiled. I’m arranging for a courier to send you some gifts.”
I was over the moon! That big, cheesy, in-love smile lit up my face.
The next day, he sent me a document listing the “gifts” he was shipping to me. The list included an iPhone 11 (which was brand new and trending back then), an Apple laptop, a Rolex watch, a diamond ring, expensive shoes, a dress, and even some cash.
Tell me—who wouldn’t be excited by that, especially in their early 20s?
I sent him my address immediately. I thank God I didn’t quit my job or tell anyone yet.
A week passed. Our love seemed to grow stronger every day. Then he asked me if I’d received an email from the courier. I hadn’t, so he told me to be alert—they’d contact me soon.
Sure enough, the next day I got a text from the “courier” confirming my details. It all seemed smooth—until they asked for $500 to clear the parcel through customs at the Philippines airport.
I didn’t have that kind of money. So I reached out to my “darling,” hoping he’d handle it—after all, he was the sender. His response?
“My darling, please try as hard as you can to get that parcel. I spent so much on it—and this is how I’ll know if you’re serious about me.”
Then he added:
“Text me again when you have the parcel. The sooner, the better—otherwise the fee will go up every day you delay.”
I was stuck. Emotionally tangled, yet suspicious. The next day, the “courier” emailed again, saying the fee had doubled to $1,000 because of the delay. They warned that if I didn’t pay within the week, the items would be dumped in the trash.
Devastated, I decided to do my own research. I looked up the Philippines customs office, emailed them with my details, and even shared the document with the supposed list of gifts.
They replied the same day. The verdict? It was a scam.
They’d seen many similar cases before. They explained that Philippines Customs never asks for money via personal bank accounts.
You can imagine how I felt—heartbroken, scammed, emotionally drained, and nearly broke.
Still not confronting him directly, I messaged the guy one last time, saying:
“Since I didn’t ask for the gifts, let’s forget about the parcel and just continue talking until we can meet.”
He flipped. He said if I didn’t want the parcel, we should break up.
Each time after we texted, the fake “courier” would email me again, pressuring me to pay. That’s when it finally clicked—they were the same people. It had been a scam from the start.
I deleted and blocked him from everywhere.
Online dating scams and how to avoid them
My Advice: Red Flags to Watch Out For
At first, scammers seem very genuine. That’s how they trap you. But here are some red flags:
- They want to switch to WhatsApp or another app right away – It’s easier for them to vanish or scam outside of dating platforms.
- They love bomb you too soon – Excessive compliments, big emotional statements, calling you “darling” within days.
- They talk about sending you gifts or money – Especially without ever meeting you.
- They ask for nudes or personal details early – This can be used for blackmail or manipulation.
- They insist on video calls as a trust trick – But still avoid sharing real, verifiable details.
- They pressure you to pay a courier or customs fee – And use emotional blackmail to get the money.
If you spot one or more of these red flags, run for your life. Don’t look back. For those still hanging on, here is a long-distance workout.
Online dating isn’t all bad—but it comes with real risks. Always stay alert, protect your heart and your wallet, and remember: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, after all, we humans have proved to be very flawed throughout history
I Tried Online Dating and All I Got Was This Article-Some Advice for Enthusiasts
