Online dating site scams are not a new phenomenon. With the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine, romantic scammers have found a new “window of opportunity” to make a decent profit. One method of deception has been distributing spam emails from international and Ukrainian dating websites offering relationships and romantic connections with Ukrainian women. This article aims to uncover all the risks of this type of romance scam.
Usually, “spam” refers to promotional messages, but in some cases, spam is sent with other intentions. One form of dangerous “non-promotional” spam is scam emails. These emails are designed to trick people and get their private information or money. They do this by sending out lots of fake messages from fake addresses and hacked computers without the owners knowing. This attracts romance scammers because it helps them fool people and hide their identities.
Also, because the emails don’t reveal who sent them, it’s tough to track down the culprits, making scammers think they can get away with it.
Scammers seize the opportunity as the world’s gaze remains fixed on Ukraine.
The focus on events in Ukraine is utilized for scam tactics, exploiting the vulnerability of Ukrainian women and sympathy and attention from men looking for romantic connections.
The romantic twist to this spam scam involves emails from international and Ukrainian dating websites. The themes of the emails vary, but they often follow the themes of “New personal message from a Ukrainian girl,” “Meeting with pretty Ukrainian women,” “Photos of Ukrainian brides,” and so on. These emails often include photos of beautiful Ukrainian women. Typically, scammers have specific targets—such emails are most commonly received by users who are already registered on dating sites.
If a user is attracted by such an email and clicks on the link in the spam messages, here’s what happens. Usually, these emails contain a link to a fake dating site page. During the registration process, scammers try to get the user’s data: username, password, birth date, gender, dating preferences, and financial information. After that, they redirect them to another online dating platform where they can start communicating with Ukrainian women. None of this is free – packages costing hundreds of dollars are offered for the opportunity to send emails, chat, and unlock profile pictures.
When a man starts corresponding with a Ukrainian girl, she tells them sad stories: “My relatives were killed, I don’t have a home because of the war, I’m not allowed to leave the country, and I can’t afford to rent a flat…” Soon, this girl starts swearing love and asks for help to leave the country.
Indeed, men are expected to make upfront expenses, sometimes reaching thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. A person looking for a woman for a relationship or planning something serious may sometimes worry about coming off as greedy or something else, so they can be easily tricked. Although these stories often bear little resemblance to the truth, many men try to help Ukrainian girls and romance scams use this.
Trying to meet Ukrainian women online can be risky because you might get tricked into giving money, and you might not even be talking to real people, just chatbots pretending to be them. In this situation, the likelihood of actual communication with a Ukrainian bride is low. The consequences go beyond financial losses and emotional issues, such as depression and a “broken heart.”
Be wary of emails promising extraordinary opportunities. Genuine dating platforms don’t rely on spam tactics. Look out for generic messages, spelling errors, and unsecured links.
Safeguard personal details fiercely. Legitimate platforms don’t request unnecessary information through unsolicited emails. Avoid clicking on suspicious links leading to phishing websites.
Before engaging, research the legitimacy of dating sites. Read reviews, testimonials, and ratings to ensure it’s safe and avoid scams.
In pursuing love on Ukrainian women’s dating sites, users must remain vigilant against phishing attempts disguised as romantic prospects.
To stay safe online, protect your digital information, watch out for signs of trouble, and avoid emails you didn’t expect. By doing so, users can navigate the online dating world wisely and shield themselves from phishing attempts organized by spammers and scammers.
