Worried you’re being played? Discover the top 10 signs you might be dating a scammer and learn how to protect yourself with professional tips from Kenya’s leading private investigators.
Online dating, social media flings, or even chance encounters in Nairobi’s social scene romance can begin anywhere. But how do you know it’s real? With digital romance scams on the rise in Kenya, it’s time to ask: are there signs you might be dating a scammer? Here’s how to find out before it’s too late.
🚩 1. They Avoid Meeting in Person
If your partner’ always has excuses for why they can’t meet especially after weeks or months, it’s a major red flag. Scammers often hide behind screens, using fake identities and stolen photos.
🚩 2. They Move Too Fast Emotionally
Declaring love within days or weeks? Calling you ‘wife’ or ‘husband’ too soon? These intense emotional claims are tactics to build false intimacy and trust. This is one of the top signs you might be dating a scammer.
🚩 3. Their Stories Don’t Add Up
They said they work in Dubai but can’t show proof? They claim to be a soldier, engineer, or businessperson but have zero verifiable details? Inconsistencies in their story are a strong sign they’re not who they say they are.
🚩 4. They Ask for Money
No matter how touching the story, sick parent, phone stolen, stranded at the airport, asking for money is the biggest red flag of all. Love should never come with a price tag.
🚩They Have No Digital Footprint or Too Much Of It.
Real people usually have some online presence WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram. If they don’t exist online, or if they have multiple suspicious profiles, proceed with caution.
🚩 6. They Never Video Call or Always Hide Their Face
A scammer will avoid any chance you’ll see their real face. They may blame a broken camera or poor network connection. If every attempt to video chat fails, take it seriously.
🚩 7. They Use Emotional Blackmail
Saying you don’t trust them, guilt-tripping you for asking questions, or becoming aggressive when you hesitate to help them financially? These are manipulation tactics used by romance scammers to control their victims.
🚩 8. They Pressure You to Keep the Relationship Secret
Why would someone who claims to love you ask you to hide them from your friends and family? Secrecy is a tool used to isolate you and avoid being caught.
🚩 9. Their Grammar and Phrases Sound Off
Many scammers operate from outside Kenya and may use foreign slang or unnatural phrases. While bad grammar isn’t proof, combined with other red flags, it can be a clue.
🚩 10. They Send You Money First
Believe it or not, some scammers will ‘test the waters’ by sending you money first, then using that gesture to manipulate you into sending much more later. This reverse psychology scam is dangerous and clever.
What to Do If You Suspect You’re Being Scammed
Stop sending money or sharing personal details.
Take screenshots of conversations.
Avoid confronting the scammer directly.
Consult a licensed private investigator for background checks.
Report the account to Facebook, Instagram, or the app being used.
For help uncovering the truth, talk to professionals like LY Private Investigators. We discreetly verify identities, run digital background checks, and help you get closure without confrontation.