What can we do about the constant flood of scammer from Africa? it is so annoying day after day to keep seeing these photos of beautiful white women pretending to live in Ghana or somewhere else in Africa. There are getting more and more and unfortunately they are spoiling it for the genuine people.

There is a block countries feature in the settings which allows you to people from certain countries from contacting you.

If they bother you that much, just use that option.

Honestly this site needs to start blocking IP addresses of said scammers...

What sucks is having to block these countries in order to avoid floods of scam emails, there are a lot of cool people in these countries who are very nice to talk with, why not log ip addresses of those removed for scamming and block those ip's from creating new accounts

this site really doesnt care about people being scammed i have found. i have reported numerous scammers and they are still there days later. im not sure if its actually a lack of moderators or just not actually sure of what to do. they are so easy to spot so its not really like its difficult work. id be happy to help, used to work in fraud prevention.

splendiferous wrote:

this site really doesnt care about people being scammed i have found. i have reported numerous scammers and they are still there days later. im not sure if its actually a lack of moderators or just not actually sure of what to do. they are so easy to spot so its not really like its difficult work. id be happy to help, used to work in fraud prevention.

REALLY????? I report scammers whenever I get messages from them... and they vanish.
(I'm a Forum Mod.. not a Profile Mod... I can only report them, same as you.)
Profile Mods do a fanastic job... given the time they give freely here, and the number of scammers who try to infiltrate Interpals.

To be honest, if you're dumb enough to be scammed, then you really shouldn't be here. In fact you shouldn't be on the internet full stop. The world is full of weirdos and slimeballs, but you just have to keep your wits about you and take everything you read with a pinch of salt.

Personally, I tend to respond only to those who have a profile that really interests me and shows that the person in question is smart, funny, genuine etc. Of course you can't always be 100% sure that you will be able to identify a scammer, but if you refrain from allowing yourself to be won over with soppy sentiments and blarney, you should be ok.

I come here to make a few snail mail pen pals. I start off by exchanging messages with people who stand out from the others and if after a few exchanges they strike me as someone I can get along with, I then proceed with the exchanging of addresses for letter writing.

I make it very clear both in my profile and my initial introductions that I am not looking for a relationship, just friendship. If at any point there is even the slightest indication that the other party is going down that route, I give them one warning but if iti continues I end it. Simple as. If anyone asks for any money or help with anything that will cost me anything other than my time and advice, I end it.

Think of the people in here as people on the street. If someone walked up to you on the street, introduced themselves, exchanged pleasantries and then proceeded to ask you money, you would tell them where to get off. Don't be swayed by the platitudes and pleasantries people on here will fill your inbox with. They're all just strangers and you need to regard them as such.

I'm not saying you have to inherently distrust everyone from the get-go, but be wise; keep folk at arm's length and use your intuition. Be friendly, look for real common interests and connections and spend time getting to know people through emails and letters. Don't let your heart rule your head and don't be a fool thinking that everyone out there is genuine.

There ARE some really nice, interesting and genuine people on this site and if you're smart and patient, you'll find and get to know them. A scammer is only as successful as their victim is susceptible. They can only scam you if you let them.

i reckon the ones who actually send the scammy messages probably disappear quite quickly. they are the amateurs. most of the ones i have reported are ones i recognise the style of, have spoken to on messenger, or ones who use fake pics.

obviously it is all common sense whether u get taken in by a scammer, but its also common sense that not everyone here is intelligent. i have said to people before that "i hoped for a bit of intelligent conversation" and have been reported and had a warning for it! shows the level of moderation!

there are tonnes of desperate people who will get swayed by flattery. sob stories and the like.

Just listen to Whackhead! He will show you how to deal with an African scammer.

scammers have it all worked out, hit and run and ip blocking wont work
they spoof ips and mac addresses..throw away proxys..
it must be a never ending fight taking up loads of time for the profile mods.
who also want to enjoy the site too