Love, Lies, and a Waitress’s Warning: Unmasking Romance Scams and Red Flags

Date fraud, particularly romance scams, involves criminals creating fake identities to gain trust and manipulate victims into sending money. To identify potential fraud, look for red flags such as inconsistent stories, requests for money, and reluctance to meet in person. Always verify profiles and be cautious with personal information.

It turned out he had a troubling pattern: he would date women, earn their trust, and then begin stealing from them. He had been incarcerated multiple times for theft, primarily from his previous jobs. One of his ex-girlfriends had even written blog posts detailing their relationship, including how they met, and it was strikingly similar to how he had approached me.

I couldn’t be more thankful to that waitress. Her bravery, kindness, and quick thinking protected me from a potentially dangerous situation. I realized she had orchestrated the declined card incident as a way to provide me with that crucial message.

That night, she didn’t just serve a meal; she delivered a vital warning.