It's a fact of life that there is always someone, somewhere who would take advantage and exploit a situation and the singles scene is no exception. Scams, cons and fakes can be in many forms including assistance requests for overseas investment and money scams, fake singles profiles designed to deceive and the "down on my luck" or family medical problem stories with request for money and ongoing financial assistance.

Luckily most cons, scams and fake profiles are uncovered very quickly and are removed from singles web site. If you ever receive any scam emails, discover any fake profiles or receive request for money report the incident to the singles web site owner or administrators immediately. The quicker you let them know the quicker they can investigate, identify and take swift and appropriates action.

Request for financial assistance cons are planned and played over a period time. The con artist is well conversed and experienced in earning your trust, your confidence and your heart! When they feel you are ripe for the picking they tell you a heart breaking story about a young family member who has just being diagnosed with a very serious medical condition that requires intensive medical treatment. The medical costs are going to be very expensive... blah, blah, blah... the story goes on for a week or so and then the first bills come in. They tell you they can cope with the initial bills but they are not sure if they can cope with future bills and questions arise of "how am I to pay for them?..." OK, well you get the general idea...

DON'T FALL FOR IT! as blatant as it may seem reading it here, when you get involved with someone online your common sense tends to take a back seat and you become much more vulnerable than you would of ever thought possible.

The basics are simple, keep you purse string tied and your common sense in the front seat with you at all times and never offer to loan money to any one! PERIOD!

• Requests for air fares or accommodation money. (Money cons)
• You just won a million dollars in a free lottery! (Money scams)
• You have been selected to receive $10,000! (Money scams)
• Emails about marriage agencies or Russian brides. (Fake profiles)
• Emails referring you to another singles or dating site. (Fake profiles)
• Beware of photos that seem to good to be true. (Fake profiles)

Emails you receive from other single members containing any variation of the above mentioned subject matter should be reported to your singles site owner or administrators immediately.

Below are some real examples of SCAM emails that were intercepted and captured before they could be sent to the members of a singles dating site:

Date: 08/17/2006 10:37
From: johnmichael300@yahoo.com
Tell: +22505103844.v
Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire
West Africa

Dear,

INTRODUCING MYSELF, I AM JOHN MICHAEL, THE ONLY SON OF THE LATE MR AND MRS MICHAEL.

I wish to request for your assistance in a financial transaction. Dear I get your contact from a member of this your sit. I wish to invest in Manufacturing and real estate management in your country.

I have twelve million,five hundred thousand united state dollars USD($12.500,000) to invest in the transaction and I will require your assistance in receiving the funds in your account in your country. I will gladly give you 15% of the total sum for your assistance.

please it is important you contact me immediately on my private e-mail address (johnmichael300@yahoo.com) for further explanation.

Awaiting your immediate response and God bless.
Regards
JOHN MICHAEL.

From: kate555
Date: 08/26/2006 01:35
Message: Miss Kate Kasaka.
Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire.
Email : katekasaka03@yahoo.co.uk

Dear love,

I am Miss Kate Kasaka. the only Daughter of Late Former Director of Finance, Late Chief Desmond KASAKA,Cote D'Ivoire Diamond and Mining Corporation.I must confess my agitation is real, and my words is my bond, in this proposal.

My late father diverted this money meant for purchase of ammunition for my country,during the peak of disastrous civil war in my country,now he has deposited the money with PRIME BANK Abidjan, where I am residing under political asylums with me Now the war in my country is over with the help of ECOMOG SOLDIERS and FRANCE SOLDIERS, the present Government of Cote D'Ivoire has revoked the passport of all officers who served under the former regime and now asked country to expel such persons at the same time freeze their account and confiscate their assets, it is on this note that i am contacting you.assist me to transfer this money in your private bank account,the said amount is (USD16,000,000).

I am compensating you with 20% of the total money, now all my hope is banked on you and i really want to invest this money in your country where there is stability of government, political and economic welfare.

Honestly, I want you to believe that this transaction is real and never a joke.My late Father Chief DESMOND KASAKA gave me the photocopies of the certificate of deposit issued to him by PRIME BANK on the date of deposit, for you to be clarify because i do not expose myself to anybody I see,I believe that you will be able to keep this transaction secret for me because this money is the hope my life, it is important.Please immediately after you must have gone through my message feel free and make it urgent, that is the reason why I offer you 20% of the total amount and should incase of any other necessary expenses you might incur during this transaction would be taking care of at the end of the day.

N.B: Try and negotiate for me some Profitable blue Chip investment opportunities which is risk free which I can invest with this money when it is transferred to your account. Personally, I am interested in estate management and hotel business, please advise me.Reach me back immediately you receive this message because there is serious war in my country for more explanation and promise me considering our situation.

Thanks and God Bless.
Miss Kate Kasaka.
i Love you so much.

(katekasaka03@yahoo.co.uk)