Did I just inadvertently avoid a catfish attempt?

TR23TR23
in General

Last night I saw a new enthusiast in my local area. Not many active profiles in general, so someone new stands out. No profile pic or description. I sent a polite welcome to the site message, hope you find what you are looking for here. I asked her what aspect of cuddling brought her to the site. I did NOT ask to cuddle, was purely a welcome message with possible conversation stater.

Within 7 minutes minutes she responds looking for a long term serious relationship. Asked me to give her my WhatsApp or Telegram number so can know and share more about each other. Attached a photo, that seems like could be a model head shot.

I responded that I am old school and don’t have either app.

Happened all so quickly, I didn’t think possible scam until later.

Then this morning she said good luck and blocked me.

I know people use those apps, but also have read stories of scammers purposefully using those apps due to some features involved. So did my lack of use of such apps shut the door on a potential scammer before things even started?

«1

Comments

  • [Deleted User]FriendlyFemale (deleted user)

    Whenever someone slides in my DMs on social media and asks for WhatsApp, it strikes me as a foreigner posing as a local. So yeah...you dodged one.

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    Not too many enthusiasts who look like models who are chomping at the bit to cuddle with a man they have not gotten to know for a while via messages. You dodged a scam.

  • CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod

    Id report that person. They should not be looking for a relationship on here and if they are a fake account they are probably responding that way to everyone that messages them.

  • pmvinespmvines

    Yes

  • AuroradreamAuroradream

    Learn the expression
    "That's not what this site is meant for"
    I've used it many, many times.

  • achetocuddleachetocuddle

    Yes a scam. OP, you are only 42 years old and are old-school? That is terrific :)

  • TR23TR23

    @CharlieBear, I noticed you are a moderator. Since I haven’t encountered an issue before, how does one do that after they have blocked me?

  • [Deleted User]FriendlyFemale (deleted user)

    @TR23 I saw this sooner than Charlie, so imma chime in. You can use the messages in your inbox to do so. Scroll to the very bottom where you see the three dots. Once you click it, it will give you an option to report and/or block

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    The following question Does Not Apply to this site but I’m asking because pretty much all of you know more about technology than I do, What is a good app to use when chatting with friends overseas, other than fb Messenger (too much personal info)? Maybe not Skype because I don’t think it’s free. Not Snapchat, too gimmicky silly. Not WhatsApp because of scammers. What about Discord, is that also the same?
    I think KakaoTalk is good, and maybe Line? But people here aren’t familiar with those. Looking for ideas!

  • AimeeJAimeeJ

    @g_w_t_w I use Telegram with family overseas.
    I have been enjoying Snapchat as well, and I'm sure annoying the youngsters with my new found amusement with filters lol. It's also able to video chat between Android and iPhone. Otherwise for just regular texting I use a Google voice number.

  • StillAwkward24StillAwkward24

    I think Whatsapp was the big giveaway...

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne
    edited June 2024

    @AimeeJ
    thanks for that suggestion and I had forgotten about telegraph. I have heard of it, but I don’t use it. But this is actually in case I need to make a phone call to my bank or another business in the US and using my regular phone number costs $$$$. I don’t know if Google Voice works overseas, but it would be basically Internet calling to a regular phone # in the US So can’t be an app. Hope this makes sense Everything I use with my family overseas is an app, but that won’t work when calling a business.
    You can buy an overseas minutes plan through your mobile carrier but that Turned out to be rip off last time I did it.

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    @StillAwkward24
    I think you’re totally right, a good reminder to stay away from WhatsApp. You dodged a bullet.

  • Ironman294Ironman294

    Well not always catfish. I once sent a message to an enthusiast. They replied shortly and then asked to meet up that day. I was like why not? They came over and we cuddled! A sweetheart and was great. But those are few are far in-between

  • BrianOceanBrianOcean

    Asking for WhatsApp or Google Chat is always a scam.

    They also love Gmail and can use that to get info as well.

    I always just frequently message them about how I am eating oatmeal or making lunch and they usually buzz off.
    Asking if they will be your friend really works as well.

  • JasonCuddlesJasonCuddles

    If they're trying to scam you consider going along with it for as long as they will. As long as they're talking to you they're not scamming someone else that might fall for it.

  • achetocuddleachetocuddle

    I think going along with the scam as long as possible can be a really good idea. It's interesting and helps you learn. Also when you report them you might have more info.

    Or acting very needy should work to run them off. This is not for the inexperienced.

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972
    edited June 2024

    @g_w_t_w
    I use Signal. It is free and pretty secure.
    They ask for donations (which I have given a couple of times) but they do not charge. You can send secure messages, group messages, and make phone calls.

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    @JohnR1972
    Thanks for the suggestion and that’s one. I’m not familiar with at all. So can I make a phone call to a regular US phone number using that?

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    @achetocuddle @JasonCuddles
    Reminds me of an experience I had with a scammer on a dating site, I played along for quite a while. Well, it all turned very interesting because It was someone in Nigeria and eventually I got him to admit who he really was. I don’t like to make enemies, even though it may sound like it sometimes. I found it very interesting and a learning experience for both of us. Maybe I convinced him to try a different way to make a living. Interesting thing was he had an engineering degree but in his country he couldn’t find a job. It was all pretty sad. Scamming was a pretty normal way to survive the lack of employment there.

  • SeekerInVASeekerInVA

    Anyone who tries to get you to jump immediately to WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, etc., is a scammer.

  • achetocuddleachetocuddle

    @g_w_t_w Really interesting. I've never gone that far with it. That is the saddest thing ever about some of the impoverished countries, assuming he was telling you the truth. It's not hard to believe things are that bad in Nigeria.
    And who knew that there were so many complicated options for communicating overseas? Not complicated for everyone, but complicated for me, lol.

  • TR23TR23

    Thanks for all the feedback confirming suspicions.

    Shortly after it progressed, I thought it may have been a scam attempt.

    Looking through my messages now, she now shows as banned.

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    @g_w_t_w
    I think the person you are calling also has to have Signal for both messaging and phone calls. It is a available for both iPhone and Android but I don’t think you could call a home phone using Signal.

  • MRyanNYCMRyanNYC
    edited June 2024

    As a tech consultant, let me say that there is nothing more "scammy" about WhatsApp than -any- other chat app. In fact, before Apple's iMessage provided Apple-to-Apple free Internet-based texting (back when texts were still pay-per-use), WhatsApp became ridiculously popular as a means to communicate with international friends -and- it also remains cross-platform. (Supporting both iPhone and Android, Mac and Windows.) The problem is the scammers, not WhatsApp.

    All of that said...I 100% concur that when someone you've -just met- who knows literally nothing about you tries to take you to -ANY- other app (Snap, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Google Chat, whatever), it's almost ALWAYS to scam you. If someone is legitimately interested in you, and you've become acquainted, you'd exchange phone numbers and text directly like human beings. (Though I understand -some- women still prefer an interim location for privacy & security.)

    I've had the "let's go to WhatsApp" request made so many times on so many apps that it's always a red flag...so it's good to have your guard up. But my initial point is to not blame WhatsApp...every chat app (and dating app) in the world these days can be and is used by scammers. So always be mindful of who you're talking to, and don't share your private info easily.

  • SoosonSooson

    WhatsApp has a bad rep for scamming. but it is actually a great tool for making intentional calls for free.

  • JasonCuddlesJasonCuddles

    I prefer signal myself....I don't like how whatsapp almost certainly has end to end to end encryption.

  • Cessna_guyCessna_guy

    @MRyanNYC exactly the response I needed to hear. It's not the app, it's the scammer.

  • Vintage_EmbraceVintage_Embrace

    @g_w_t_w

    My military family mostly uses What’s App.
    The trepidations with WA being a scam platform is over inflated tech fear mongering.

    The scammers are everywhere and using AI to dial it all in more ON EVERY APP Communication platform.

    Signal and telegram are mid ok. Some of their requirements to frequently need to be using these apps is a downfall for some military fam that can’t be on it - consistently daily ect. And the video quality is not as consistent and clear especially in base.

    We really don’t use Discord or SC that much. I have noticed my international friends using SC or Discord in their countries will not allow me to see the video they made or hear the music they added ect. License and usage in various countries does not always cross over to the US. Or hosting live drop ins gets odd on discord and glitches too often.

    So we (my family) do love WA the best.

    As long as you know who you’re talking to, there’s not an issue with it.

    It’s just like scammers calling you on your cell phone or your home phone and telling you about your car expired extended warranty. We all have our info out there.

    Communicate freely but safely.

    And yes @TR23 you dodged a very seriously awkward situation that is loaded with 💩. Glad you stayed clear and let the 💩 hit the fan somewhere else. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

  • TR23TR23

    @SunshineHug, your last portion of your comment made me laugh.
    👍

Sign In or Register to comment.