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- We advise you on how to spot a matrimonial scammer!
We advise you on how to spot a matrimonial scammer!
Handsome, charming, caring, and affectionate—these are traits many women envision in an ideal partner. Unfortunately, these same qualities often describe a matrimonial scammer, whose sole aim is to extort as much money as possible from an enamored woman. If you’re looking for a partner and use dating sites, you may fall victim to such a fraudster. Learn how to identify a matrimonial scammer and protect yourself from them.
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Who is a matrimonial scammer?
With many people struggling to find their other half, dating sites and social media have gained popularity as tools for meeting new people. While useful, these platforms also come with significant risks, as some online users are not searching for love at all.
A matrimonial scammer is, broadly speaking, someone who expresses a desire for a close, emotional relationship but has completely different intentions. For example, a man may win over a woman and promise marriage while already married and with no plans to leave his wife. While this type of deceit is painful, even worse variations exist. Some matrimonial scammers enter relationships solely to extort substantial sums of money from their victims.
The Tinder Scammer - a model example of a matrimonial scammer
The tactics of a matrimonial scammer are vividly depicted in the Netflix film The Tinder Swindler, which tells the story of several women deceived by a man named Shimon Hayut. For years, this young, attractive Israeli citizen used the popular dating app Tinder to connect with women from countries such as the UK, Germany, and Norway.
To carry out his schemes, Shimon Hayut created a false identity and backstory, presenting himself as Simon Leviev, a wealthy businessman and the son of a diamond industry tycoon. His social media profiles featured convincing photos showcasing a life of luxury. He would take his dates to high-end restaurants and travel on private jets, promising them lifelong love and even marriage. Enamored with him, his partners trusted him completely, readily lending him large sums of money. He frequently asked for funds, citing ongoing business troubles, but when the women began pressing him to repay the loans, he vanished from their lives and moved on to a new target.
Media exposure of the case ultimately led to his temporary arrest, thanks to the efforts of his victims. Sadly, however, they never recovered their money.
How to spot a matrimonial scammer?
Stories similar to the one portrayed in the Netflix film also happen in Poland, with most victims being women who met scammers online. If you don’t want to fall victim to such deception, learn how to recognize a matrimonial scammer and protect yourself.
When entering a relationship with a man (whether met online or offline), stay vigilant and observe his behavior closely. Certain actions should raise red flags, especially if he:
- is secretive about details of his life, such as not disclosing his place of work,
- asks about your income, savings, and assets early in the relationship,
- prefers meeting at your place but consistently avoids inviting you to his home,
- doesn’t offer to introduce you to his family and friends,
- often doesn’t answer your calls and only returns calls at the same times,
- promises marriage early on, even though you barely know each other,
- frequently mentions various work problems or financial troubles.
It’s worth remembering that a skilled matrimonial scammer is usually a good psychologist and manipulator. He can accurately assess a woman’s needs and strives to fulfill them. Typically, he showers his partner with gifts, compliments, and paints a beautiful picture of their future together. Only after he has gained her complete trust and love does he start implementing his plan, often by asking for a loan or financial assistance.
Enlist the help of an investigator and don't let yourself be fooled!
Not every man who asks a woman for money has bad intentions. Life can present various scenarios, and it’s possible that a new partner may genuinely fall into financial difficulties. However, before offering support, make sure he isn’t a matrimonial scammer. A reputable detective can assist by verifying his identity and the accuracy of the information he provides. With professional assistance, you’ll uncover the truth about your partner, avoiding both disappointment and potentially significant financial losses.
