Are You Falling in Love with a Real Person or a Virtual Scammer?

Posted: Updated:

The recent story of Manti Te'ohas anyone who has ever fallen for someone online feeling a bit squeamish. Partsof the story are sketchy, but the part that isn't involves the concept of fallingin love with someone you only know virtually.

How do you and can you lovesomeone you have never been in the same room with, kissed or felt their skinagainst your skin? The answer is yes, you can fall in love or what you believeto be in love with someone you speak to frequently on the phone and talk to onyour computer screen.

However, this love you feel, or the attachment is to whomeveris responding back, and what you must remember is that person is only as realas their story and responses are.

According to recent posts by dating websites, approximately 15 to 20%of all online relationships lead to marriage. Marriage experts agree that thereare a few benefits with online dating that far outweigh traditional dating.

Forexample, many people find it easier to be more vulnerable with their emotionsonline, and the courtships can last longer for couples that talk online.Experts agree that having intimacy and sex before you know the person well candamage the relationship.

Depending onwhen the meet up happens, these couples may actually know one another on a moreintimate level than people who date face to face. The biggest concern is thatpeople who are dating online have an easier time being deceptive.

It's easy to fool someone if you are neverface to face with them. Leading them on or scamming them is also more likely asthey only know what you tell them or what they see via a possible Skype.

Relationships that don't progress to aneventual meet up are not normal. Humans want to see the person they believethey love, they want to touch them, and they want to connect physically with them.

In fact, resisting a meet up after months of talking daily would be a sign thatthere is something amiss with the person you met online. For example, problemswith commitment, abandonment or fear of being vulnerable would stand out aslikely with this group.

As with all things, the bad can outweigh the good when you are onlinedating. Te'o's story has much more explaining to uncover as parts of it make nosense, but that aside, I listen to people who have been scammed by someone theythought there was a chance for a future with.

If you are online investing yourtime and your heart with someone who is taking advantage of you, you may end uplosing more than a potential love. The scam experts recommend the following redflags. Taking caution is my best advice, and question oddities.

Theonline dater wants to call you personal pet names too soon. They begin callingyou honey, baby, love; the list goes on and on.
They encourage you toleave the dating or social network site you are currently on and communicateinstant messaging or some other site.
They send you too manyphotos too soon, using their child, their dog or other personal touches. Theyalso want more photos of you (BE CAREFUL).
They want your addressimmediately and back it up by saying they want to send you flowers or court youin an "old fashioned manner."
They give you numerousexcuses of why they cannot meet you in person.
Things always come up thatneed to be dealt with immediately. This is where they will begin needing moneyor some other assistance from you. They are slick about the timing with thisand usually wait until you are "hooked."
If you are wise enough tocatch them, they continue to lie by telling you that although they weren't inlove with you, through the process of getting to know you they have completelyfallen in love with you. Do not believethis.

The people I have talkedwith tell me that their scammer experience ended with legal issues as well.Scammers have access to photos of the person they scammed. They can blackmailwith those photos; so once again, you must take caution with anything you sendthem. They are usually after money, and they have their victim in a vulnerableposition emotionally.

I havegone to several wedding where the couples met online. Their marriages seemcommitted and more so they are as matched as couples who found someone anddated for years. The courtship part of online dating is very healthy tobuilding a solid relationship.

When couples get to know one another well beforehaving sex, the focus is primarily on the emotional aspect of one another. Thishelps build the friendship that is so important with successful marriage.Understanding that lies and scamming happen anywhere, especially in the virtualwork, it is wise to take your time, and if the person online seems too good tobe true, they probably are. –Mary Jo Rapini

For more information or you FREEMONTHLY RELATIONSHIP TIPS: www.maryjorapini.com

Podcasts:

http://ustre.am/PLWS Struggling withlow libido in your relationship

Married with small children at homeand keeping your relationship close http://traffic.libsyn.com/sexandintimacy/MJR_ep_01.mp3

Improving your body image http://traffic.libsyn.com/sexandintimacy/MJR_ep_04.mp3

Talk tome on my fan page: http://www.facebook.com/maryjorapini

Tweetme: @ Mary Jo Rapini

Join meweekday Mornings for "Mind, Body, Soul with Mary Jo" on Fox 26 Houston at 9A.M.

Mary Jo RapiniMore>>
Can You Pray Your Way to a Better Sex Life?
Can You Pray Your Way to a Better Sex Life?
Updated: Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:21 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:21:20 GMT
I see couples every day who are referred for help with their intimacy and sex life. There are numerous medications and treatments that can help minimize sexual dysfunctions. Resolving past conflicts and
I see couples every day who are referred for help with their intimacy and sex life. There are numerous medications and treatments that can help minimize sexual dysfunctions. Resolving past conflicts and
When your partner can't emotionally connect
When your partner can't emotionally connect
Updated: Monday, May 13 2013 4:51 PM EDT2013-05-13 20:51:45 GMT
There is a disorder that is making more and more sense into why couples break up. The personality trait is called "Alexithymia."
There is a disorder that is making more and more sense into why couples break up. The personality trait is called "Alexithymia," and it renders the person it affects unable to communicate their feelings or understand their feelings as well as their partner's.
Baby Boomers and Suicide
Baby Boomers and Suicide
Updated: Thursday, May 9 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-09 12:44:22 GMT
When we think of suicide we think of young adults; adolescents who have lost their way and are addicts or young people who suffer a huge blow and no longer have a family to go home to or a place to live.
When we think of suicide we think of young adults; adolescents who have lost their way and are addicts or young people who suffer a huge blow and no longer have a family to go home to or a place to live.
Self-respect gets no respect
Self-respect gets no respect
Updated: Monday, May 6 2013 2:26 PM EDT2013-05-06 18:26:34 GMT
Parents worry about self-esteem with their children. A low self-esteem is correlated with poor academic and personal development.
Parents worry about self-esteem with their children. A low self-esteem is correlated with poor academic and personal development. Building a healthy self-esteem takes years, and parents, teachers and the child's community help foster the child growing up to feel good about him or herself. Part of self-esteem is learning self-respect. You aren't born with an understanding of self-respect, so the people closest to you model and teach you this characteristic.
7- Year Itch doesn’t have to lead to twelfth year divorce
7- Year Itch doesn’t have to lead to twelfth year divorce
Updated: Monday, April 8 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-04-08 11:23:29 GMT
A colleague of mine asked me last week if married couples really do develop such a thing as the seven year itch. He had been talking to his buddies the night before and some of them were referring to feeling
A colleague of mine asked me last week if married couples really do develop such a thing as the seven year itch. He had been talking to his buddies the night before and some of them were referring to feeling
Men and Women Who Dated Frequently Have a Higher Risk of Divorce
Men and Women Who Dated Frequently Have a Higher Risk of Divorce
Updated: Thursday, March 14 2013 9:50 AM EDT2013-03-14 13:50:19 GMT
The ratio of new marriages to divorce is 2:1 according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). That means for every two marriages that occur there is one divorce. Divorce ranked number
The ratio of new marriages to divorce is 2:1 according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). That means for every two marriages that occur there is one divorce. Divorce ranked number
Female Teachers Who Have Sex with Their Students; Why?
Female Teachers Who Have Sex with Their Students; Why?
Updated: Tuesday, March 12 2013 1:56 PM EDT2013-03-12 17:56:05 GMT
There has been almost an epidemic of recent stories about female teachers having sex with their students. Almost every state in the United States is reporting these stories, and everyone is asking the
There has been almost an epidemic of recent stories about female teachers having sex with their students. Almost every state in the United States is reporting these stories, and everyone is asking the
The Gap Between Your Ears is the Most Important Gap
The Gap Between Your Ears is the Most Important Gap
Updated: Monday, March 4 2013 3:38 PM EST2013-03-04 20:38:06 GMT
If you tweet on Twitter, you will see many #Thighgap. There is always something new, and it appears thigh gap is the new way girls are comparing themselves with one another to feel thin and pretty. Thigh
If you tweet on Twitter, you will see many #Thighgap. There is always something new, and it appears thigh gap is the new way girls are comparing themselves with one another to feel thin and pretty. Thigh
Is There Abuse in Your Teen’s Relationship?
Is There Abuse in Your Teen’s Relationship?
Updated: Tuesday, February 12 2013 4:48 PM EST2013-02-12 21:48:37 GMT
February is teen violence awareness month, and with Chris Brown's recent court date following abuse charges from his girlfriend Rhianna, it draws out attention to the topic of abuse and dating. A recent
February is teen violence awareness month, and with Chris Brown's recent court date following abuse charges from his girlfriend Rhianna, it draws out attention to the topic of abuse and dating. A recent
Money matters among three reasons for marital strife
Money matters among three reasons for marital strife
Updated: Tuesday, February 12 2013 4:47 PM EST2013-02-12 21:47:48 GMT
Marriage research has listed finances as one of the top three reasons couples get into trouble. Couples who begin to struggle with money issues are having problems at a deeper level than the cost of the
Marriage research has listed finances as one of the top three reasons couples get into trouble. Couples who begin to struggle with money issues are having problems at a deeper level than the cost of the

Are You Falling in Love with a Real Person or a Virtual Scammer? - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Are You Falling in Love with a Real Person or a Virtual Scammer?

Mary Jo RapiniMore>>