Online Dating Scams

The Scam

Another in a long list of identity verification scams.  This “free” service has $120 of recurring monthly cost in the fine print.  It is really the same old stuff.  In this case two separate posts run by the same scammer.   One post was “my husband cheated on me”; the other was “unhappily married”.

Once contacting the scammer, you get a response, that says here is my email, please send me a note here.  Once they have direct contact, then you are in the automation mode, where you get an email with a link to safedatersverify / elise.

On this online dating scam website, when you sing up, you get a “VIP offer” with a button pre-selected for you.  What I could not see was the terms and conditions of the whole sign up, which is 4 sites at $39.99 each, on a recurring monthly basis.

Hiding the Cost

Here is the thing,  I could only see the terms of this VIP offer after I entered a credit card number.  (I did not use a real credit card number, I used a commonly available card number for testing purposes.)

They are deliberately preventing you from seeing the terms.  The do this thru the code, and limit the window you can see.  In fact, in some browsers you have no ability to see it at all.

Faking location

The site shows a location of your “date”.  The way they do it is by using a java script code from Geoplugin.net.  Geoplugin is code that determines your general location by looking at your IP address.  The scam website takes that information and makes it appear as if your “date” is in the same general area as  you.  If you go to the site from California, you will see Elise near you as well.

Faking Number of Users

The site shows number of active users on their site.   In fact, it is nothing more than a random number generator.

For those who like to dig in to the code, I explain what they are doing for all three scam tactics,  You can see the explanation and code snippets here: scam online dating website code.

Security

Of course one should never provide any personal information or any form of payment to any site like this.  In fact, once you recognize the pattern, you should just end contact quietly.  I take it a step further, just so I can be sure of my facts, and explain to readers what the scam is in detail.  Of course I keep all of my antivirus protection up-to-date.

This site also does not use secure encryption which is an absolute must when conducting any financial transactions.   If you’re not familiar just look at the URL – it should start with httpS.  If not, whatever you type in is openly transmitted on the internet.  The site claims a number of secure authorities such as Verisign but that is a scam too.  There is no security certificate.  Here is the Verisign web site that explains certs and https:  https://www.verisign.com/security

the online dating scammer

During our email exchanges “Elise” sent me her pictures:

Neither of the pictures were found on a Tineye search.  She actually sent me a third as I was writing this, with top nudity, I would like to keep this blog rated PG, so I will put that elsewhere, just so it is found on an Tineye Search.

Of course we do not know where this picture originates from, so the lovely Elise here is not who is behind the operation.  We do know that if you see this picture, it will be a scam.

If you notice on the page, the page title has the page title from which the code was copied from safelyhook.com.  Whenever they created the page, they forgot to change the title tag.  Yeah, stuff happens.  In this case safelyhook is also a known scam site, and has an owner registered.

Here is what the internet registry has on safelyhook:

Registrant Name: adma H king
Registrant Street: 76st nw
Registrant City: miami
Registrant State/Province: Florida
Registrant Postal Code: 33166
Registrant Phone: +1.7543077379
Registrant Email: yestedkarswinglej@gmail.com”

So perhaps Adma (sic) or Adam, can explain.

the scam emails 

Here are the emails you were asked to send a note to:

• alice420k@gmail.com
• sky619k@gmail.com

The online dating scam website

The site is hosted by an internet service provider in Buffalo New York by ColoCrossing.

The URL was registered a on November 30, 2015,  so this is pretty new.  That newness is always a cautionary flag.  Interestingly, the website claims that they have been protecting people since 2008.  Click here for that gem.

The site registrant is private – registered by Privacy Protection Service in Queensland Australia.   There is nothing wrong with a private registration.  This is common and recommended for private individuals, who do not want their contact information broadcast to the world.  Private registration for a business is unusual, but not unheard of.

Registrant Organization: Privacy Protection Service INC d/b/a PrivacyProtect.org
Registrant Street: C/O ID#10760, PO Box 16
City: Nobby Beach
Registrant State/Province: Queensland Registrant
Postal Code: QLD 4218
Registrant Country: AU
Registrant Phone: +45.36946676
Registrant Email: contact@privacyprotect.org

The fine print…

from this fine establishment:

By pressing ‘Click Here For Access’, I certify that I have read and agree to the complete terms of membership and billing and that the card entered above is my credit card. Your access to LocalSexFriends includes a 2 day free trial promo to Devious Adult Dating. If you choose to remain a member of Devious Adult Dating beyond the trial period, your membership will renew at thirty nine dollars and ninety nine cents. Your membership to LocalSexFriends will be Free for Lifetime. You will also receive a free membership to Uberhorny.

** Join Sexual Love Matches! Subscription will renew at $39.99 per month, until you decide to cancel.

** Join Erotic Love Matches! Subscription will renew at $39.99 per month, until you decide to cancel.

** Join Meaningful Romance! Subscription will renew at $39.99 per month, until you decide to cancel.