SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Scam Basics: Pro-Daters
What Is A Pro-Dater?
This is a special type of scam. It is quite different from other types of Romance Scams for several reasons.
- These are real people – the women and men are real and will want to meet in person
- Most of the time they use their real names and real information
- They usually don’t ask money over the Internet BEFORE meeting, but might continue milking you AFTER meeting
- While visa-ticket and translation scams are illegal and scammers can be prosecuted by law, this type of scam is more amoral than illegal. There is no law that punishes women for gold-digging and dating many men or women for money.
Nevertheless, it is still a scam. In short, these women and men date foreign men or women just for money, gifts, and costly entertainment or travel. They have no interest in any relationship, though they claim otherwise in correspondence and use it as a hook. Sex may or may not be involved. In most cases, it is not involved. Many are actually married or have local relationships or families.
The Pro-Dater differs from other scams in the method of operation; a face-to-face meeting actually does take place in the scammer’s country or they may travel (at the victim’s expense) to another location, but for the sole purpose of manipulating the victim into spending as much money as possible in relatively little time, with little or nothing in return.
The scheme usually involves accomplices, such as an interpreter or a taxi driver, each of whom must be paid by the victim at an inflated price. Everything is pre-arranged so that the “wealthy” foreigner pays for expensive accommodation, is taken not to an ordinary public café but to a costly restaurant (usually some out-of-the-way place priced far above what locals would ever be willing to pay), and is manipulated into making various expensive purchases, including gifts for the scammer such as electronics and fur coats (these are then either re-sold or recycled for the next victim).
The vendors are also typically part of the scheme. After the victim has left, the merchandise is returned to the vendors and the pro-dater and their various accomplices take their respective cut of the take. As the pro-dater is eager to date again, the next date is immediately set up with the next foreigner.
The supposed relationship goes no further, except to inundate the victim with requests for more money after they return home. Unlike a true gold digger, who marries for money, a pro-dater is not necessarily single or available in real life.
Where Do Pro-Daters Operate?
Most Pro-Daters operate out of Eastern Europe and Asia, however, they also exist in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Belize, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela. In Europe, they are most common in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus (and other former Soviet Bloc Countries), Romania. Be especially careful with the Philippines as this is also ground zero for Professional Real Scammers.
How to avoid Pro-Daters?
Simply insist on making your own arrangements. Stay at major hotels when traveling. If you get objections from the other person this is a major red flag that you are dealing with a Pro-Dater that is in it for the money!
Learn More About Pro-Daters:
- How To Recognize Professional Asian Pro-Daters
- Nine Tips on How to Identify and Avoid Ukrainian Pro-Daters
Reporting Pro-Daters
Pro-Daters represent a different kind of challenge from regular romance scammers and it is important that they be reported since reporting can be significantly more effective since they are using their real names.
Report All Pro-Daters to:
- Always report all Pro-Daters on this website here » or on www.Anyscam.com »
- Report them to the FBI (www.IC3.gov)
- Report them to the U.S. Department of State and USCIS
- Report them to your country’s Embassy in the scammer’s country – this will help prevent them from obtaining visas.
Other Reporting Options:
SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: Pro-Daters, Real Scammers, Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin American Scammers, Brazil, Mexico, Belize, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Philippines, Professional Real Scammers,
END
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Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- Your National Police or FBI (www.IC3.gov »)
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network HERE » or on www.Anyscam.com »
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
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Visit our NEW Main SCARS Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information »
To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org
Please be sure to report all scammers HERE » or on www.Anyscam.com »
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – SCARS/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated (formerly the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams)
Legal Notices:
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org
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A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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