Durban - Valentine's Day is behind us, but the hunt for many of us for Mr or Mrs Right continues.
Online dating sites have made it easier for singletons to meet potential partners, but they have been warned to be aware of the risks they expose themselves to.
A number of dating companies across the globe reported a big surge in user growth at the start of a New Year, with an average of a 60 percent increase in new members between Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
Candice Sutherland, a business development consultant, warned that those who look to cyber-dating for romance must be mindful that the person behind the profile they are interested in may not be who they say they are.
“When it comes to cyber-dating, the individual using the platform will essentially be communicating with a stranger and it is therefore essential to never divulge any personal information, such as where one lives or works, to strangers on the platform,” Sutherland said.
She said computers and the internet allowed predators to exploit online daters easily and anonymously – at the click of a button. Sutherland said a clear warning bell was when someone tried to avoid a physical meeting, constantly cancelled or refused to meet in a public place but rather wanted to meet at a hotel or secluded spot.
“In addition, should someone ever receive a request for money, financial or personal details or risqué pictures and texts, be on high alert even if there has been a build-up of friendship or intimacy over many months. These are professional con artists who groom their victims by preying on their emotions,” she said.
Sutherland said a person’s online dating profile clearly and explicitly detailed their every want, need and desire.
There was also a complete breakdown of who the person was, what they enjoyed, expectations as well as photographs. These platforms enabled scammers to use false or stolen identities and pretend to become their victim’s desired partner. They rewrote their own profile to match their victim’s so they seemed like the ideal match.
She revealed that many had thought the Ashley Madison hack in late 2015 would be the end of Avid Life Media, however there have been reports the company has seen an increase of about 4 million subscribers since the headlines of the breach. Ashley Madison is a dating site that targets people seeking extramarital affairs.
“While there are many online dating success stories where people have found their life partners through these websites, people should always be vigilant in order to stay safe and ensure that they do not become another victim of a cyberattack as it can cause devastating financial and emotional damage to innocent individuals,” Sutherland said.
Daily News