Would you fall for a romance scam artist?

[Mojitowithelfreako]

They just seem so ridiculous (the men).
The Tinder Swindler, Dirty John, Bad Surgeon, the guy from Bad Vegan... why do they succeed?
I feel like I would see through it, especially when they bring up the 'CIA' stuff. These women don't seem stupid. Do they never sit back and think 'that doesn't add up' or speak to their friends who say 'that's bullshit'. I just don't get it.
Maybe they are super charming but I think they go too far with their lies. As soon as anyone said 'it's top secret' then I would immediately think what a dick head.
Do you think they try several women before they succeed or can they tell which women want to believe, or are vulnerable?
Or could any of us get drawn in?

I suppose it’s the same with cheating. Why ask your oh when of course they will deny it yet people do. Then the cheat erases the evidence!
Maybe it’s human nature to ask them, who knows.
I think the bottom line is people don’t want to believe they have been that foolish.
Easier to keep on believing the lies than admit defeat.

I think the bottom line is people don’t want to believe they have been that foolish
Easier to keep on believing the lies than admit defeat

Yes, I agree- it's not so much a lack of evidence because in many cases the evidence was right in front of them and they still refused to believe it, it's emotional thinking rather than logical thinking that keeps people believing. They want it to be true so they convince themselves it is. Of course we are all vulnerable to that at times which is why it's so important to self reflect and question ourselves before it's too late. I think the gambling analogy is spot on - you get a hit of dopamine when you win which feels so good that you keep on doing it even after you start losing all your money.

There’s another story about this today. Fair play to the woman speaking out.

But Gary Barlow? And towards the end of the article she says she’s been contacted by victims who were approached by ‘Michael Barrymore’ - WTF!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13287373/catfished-fake-Gary-Barlow-Facebook.html

This exactly how I felt until I lost close to 10k, and since then ive come across so many similar stories. Luckily I found a local company that was able to claim my money back from the bank. Never again

No, and i cannot for the life of me understand why people do.

If they ask for money - run for the hills! That's not difficult to understand?

And be realistic about your attractiveness- rating. Look long and hard in the mirror. Is it really likely that that man, 20 years younger and very good looking, fancies you? You'd have to be Joan Collins in her middle years!

And is a celebrity contacting you and wanting to form a relationship? Why would George Clooney want a relationship with YOU?

I'm sorry - I'm coming over as being horrible - but I've seen so many documentaries about this, and the women involved were beyond dim and had no sense of reality about themselves. They even went ahead and transferred money after several warnings...

I guess no-one thinks they could get sucked in, but people do!

From what I can tell, they target people who are vulnerable and lonely, so might be more ready to turn a blind eye to obvious red flags because they so badly want to believe in it.