Online dating?.:O

[margaret*e]

No, I'm not thinking of trying it.:-D

Do some people take leave of their senses when they go on these sites?.

There's a programme on BBC just now, it was just playing in the background but it caught my attention, some man had given thousands of pounds to bring his alleged online date here from Russia, over several months before it got through to him he was being taken for a mug.

This isn't the first case I've heard/read about both men and women giving huge sums of money after fallingfor a sob story from someone they haven't even met.

[probert_encyclopaedia]

There was a good series of documentaries about online dating (hosted by Dawn O'Porter) on recently. I found them interesting because I met my wife through a dating agency in the days before online dating. What struck me was how little online dating agencies offer for your money. profiles? Matching? More like they just record your details and let you get on with it, unlike the old system where profiles were actively matched and you were provided details of members where both your and their requirements and details matched.

In response to your question, it is now so common for both men and women to be conned by these sob stories etc it does make one wonder. Don't they realise these people are never what they seem?

Matt

[kiss*my*pixel]

I saw that too, Marg and whilst thinking "what a mug" with one half of my brain, another part of me thought that this chap was shy, vulnerable and lacked social skills. This is exactly what these scammers go for, those are the very people they are looking for.

Agree with you, Probert - my sister met her husband via a dating agency long before the internet took it all over. She was a nurse, therefore kept very unsocial hours and not too confident in herself. She and her husband are very happy, 15 or so years and two beautiful children down the line, but this online thing is not monitored closely enough - vulnerable people are very much at risk because of it.

There should be more safeguards in place, to protect those in the community that fall prey to these scamming scavengers.

[sir_arthur_strebe-grebling]

No, I'm not thinking of trying it.:-D

That's a pity, Margaret, I thought I was in with a chance. ;-)]:):-x

[margaret*e]

:OJust send me £20,000 for my fare Arthur, and I'll be over.:^O

A bit late but I've been away for the weekend.

[5129frederick]

A far more subtle con is to befriend a dear little old lady in her late eighties.  It works best with a husband and wife team, so that the defences are down.  The object of the exercise is to choose a wet, windy day and ask her in a very concerned manner if she has far to go.  The wife will then suggest that they drop her off at her place as it's only slightly out of the way.  Once she gratefully accepts, you've already got your "foot in the door".  As you help to unload her shopping, casually ask if it her own house, and has she lived there many years, and that she must have seen many changes in her time etc. gradually winning her confidence.  Tell her how terrible it is when so-called loved ones never ask after you etc.  Before long, she'll "adopt" you.  Follow this up with a couple of Dundee cakes, or an evening concert, and it is then merely a waiting game to see whether she "remembers" you when she has that final Sunday afternoon tea in the sky.  Contemptable?  Yes.  Unlikely scenario?  Unfortunately no.  I'm afraid it's a very common practise, so please beware.  Beware of the Greek who comes laden with gifts.

[margaret*e]

Sadly Frederick , those despicable people are found in all walks of life preying on the vulnerable , my own SIL fell victim to one a few years ago.

[10phizz]

...........and not only in the "working classes" either ! I know of the 2nd wife of a Baronet who now a  very merry widow has willed all his property and wealth to family abroad. So the title will go down the family but no money . The large  baronial house will be sold after 500 years of one family`s occupancy. The farms will all be sold, Tenants will have an uncertain future, again after generations of caring husbandry.........of course he was a lonely old man and fell for all the flattery. As the marriage may have been consummated there is nothing his family can do. Her Ladyship is saying nothing !

[tommy.irene]

I met Irene with Online dating..