Aug 15 2006

Are there lots of crazy folks on the internet?

this is so true and to this very day ..I haveguys emaling me with the first email all their personal information...that to me is a sign of craziness to come

I just found it strange that an article about watching out for people on the internet, you choose to address to men to watch out for crazy women. Sure men do need a warning, but women need it far more. When a man is crazy he can be far more aggressive and dangerous just due to the fact that he is a man and is stronger.

I'm glad someone finally brought this to everyone's attention. I've had lots of guys online who just flat out give me their number in the first email or 10-15 minutes of chatting online. When I ask them why are they giving me their number so soon they'll say something like "Well I chat better on the phone than online". Or sometimes they want to make sure I'm a woman and not a man and you can't blame them for that. But still a lot of guys are really dumb and don't realize you can find out a lot of info on someone with just a phone number. As a matter of fact I can relate to this story because something very similar to this happened with me. I hope this article will open a few eyes and make more men not so willing to give themselves up so easily to women they barely know.

I agree... excellent and timely post. Another on-line dating scam I find alot is foreigners looking for a ticket to the United States. How many times I've seen some gorgeous, seductive maiden, about 23 years in age, who contact me, (age 51), wanting to link up.

This is so true. I believe in expressing honesty and sincerity In my search for the loved one of my life. When I get a response of, "I love you" or telephone numbers from my first reply, or asking for financial assistance within a few weeks or months it really turns me off. I have been victimized by letting out my telephone number and home address. One particular lady used false credit card numbers with my name and address to try to purchase items with. Luckily my bank had previously given me a new card with a different number. However I did get several inquiries from retail institutions asking me to correct my error on my card number so that they could ship my goods on things that I supposedly had ordered. It took a little coaxing to get the name of who actually ordered the goods and where it was to be shipped to and it was a lady from another country that I had decided not to communicate with any longer. I am still getting mail order catalogs from very prestigious and expensive womens clothing stores that as a straight man would never think of requeststing, unless I was wealthy and married to a wonderful lady of whom I wanted to shower with luxurious gifts. Another lady sounded very serious and claimed to have a career that was valueably needed in my home country. She started by writing some very sensible emails and I had gained some great respect for her. After awhile her mails got short and meaningless. after about a year she suprised me with a copy of a visa to my country and she claimed thatit had only taken about a week to obtain it with the assistance of an uncle. Then she told me that her uncle had given her checks to get here but that she was unable to cash them in her country. the checks were from a reputable institution that could have been cashed anywheres in the world. She wanted to know if I could cash them for her and send the money by certified check to her to get over here to my country. My first thoughts were that those checks could have been counterfit and possibly cahed over here, but bounced shortly after my sending her legal money and then I would have been charged with a debt that I could not afford to repay. This experience even gave me doubt as to the sincerity of ever looking to me for the meaninful relationship that I was searching for. I ended this relationship. Other ladies started out the same way, but later with several having uncles who had millions of dollars stashed awayt that their governments did not know about. Some were supposely retired Generals or disposed political figures and wanted me to deposit their money into my financial institution in my country. They offered a generous commision on the amount that was to be deposited. This brought up another red flag as if I had offered to do so this supposedly partner would have my bank account and personal information to make withdrawels from my account without his or her ever sending me money to deposit. As you know I ended relationships fast with these ladies. I do believe thar some young ladies may be sincere in finding an older gent to settle down with as they have been gilted too many times by the younger men of their country. Yet there are those who prey on the older generation thinking that they are a soft target to improve their finances with no intent ever to form a physical relationship to of whom they ar writing. My guess is that they could be spending long hours in internet cafes writing to many and taking in fortunes. Am now very cautious and see red flags as they come up and decide early whether to keep an internet relationship going or not.

This is exactly why I give out my information after a long time of chatting

There are wild people on the internet. Alot of people on it pretend to be someone that they aren't. (Just like in the real world). Like an alter ego. Just be yourself.

I agree with Kim. Men are bigger and stronger and I think women have to be really careful. Some people don't like to take no for an answer.

We all need to be made aware or reminded of these things.

Yes, there are a lot of crazy but also a lot of good. The good people just aren't as noticeable because they are not news worthy...so anything crazy gets the attention as we all want to know the what when why or how when it comes to unuasual, bad, neg etc.

This one is hilarious! Yes, it is frightening the amount of "crazies" that you find on the internet, but what is even more frightening is the amount of sadly gulible persons out there with a good heart that are taken advantage of by these horrible individuals. Just isn't fair at all.

Very valuable lesson learnt! I was unfortunately very trustful of people. Time to change!

Yeah... crazy is the right word for sure... of course I think everyone is a little crazy, just depends on the degree of it!! :-P Anywhoooo... great article, people need to keep their eyes open, male or female!! Don't give out any personal inforamtion and be leary of those that do because more often than not they are lying about it!!!

Yes, there are even men on this site that are cheaters and are such salespersons they think you won't find out. Well, they were wrong, their wives found out too.

All I can say is be careful and take your time.

As many have stated... There are a fair share of liars and crazies out there. I am not one to cast stones but at a macro level, I believe most are not of the deceptive, psychotic type... With the exception of a couple that come to mind, it's all good.. You know who you are! LOL

I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE, SINCE I READ YOUR ARTICLE, YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY GUYS ON THIS SITE HAS GIVEN ME THEIR EMAILS, CELL AND HOME PHONE NUMBERS.....IT REALLY AMAZED ME,I'M GLAD I'M NOT ONE OF THEM CRAZY CHICKS, THAT WOULD MESS UP THERE WORLD........BUT I'M STILL VERY MUCH IN SHOCK..

Go with your gut feeling..You know when you feel that person elevator does not go to the top.

Yes internet dating can lead you down all types of roads to "crazy." I have had guys send me their phone numbers through an instant message and they had never "chatted" with me before then. However, I tend to think that just because I met a guy around town does not mean that he does some "crazy" habits, tendencies, lifestyles, etc going on in his life. With all that being said, I believe that dating today whether online or in person is a gamble.

Personally, I do noty think there is anything much one can do with the email contacts. Being open with them is ok.

YOU WANT CRAZY...HOW ABOUT HAVING SOMEONE ON YOUR INSTANT MESSENGER THAT WAS FEATURED ON THE FBI'S MOST WANTED LIST FOR SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN........SCAAAAAAAAAARY...

its hard to trust and protect your self from guys you fall for and get hurt so deeply and not know who yor talking to I have been there and I know and its the hardest thing to deal with when all you really want is true love and all the rest be careful ladies real careful I know guys need to too .

BOY, HAVE A LEARNED MY LESSON. I HAVE ACTUAL INSTANT MESSENGERS STALKERS.

THIS ARTICLE TOUCHES HOME.. IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS..I HAVE BEEN ONLINE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND TO BE HONEST IT IS HARD TO FIND SOMEONE THAT IS RIGHT IN THE HEAD.. IT SEEMS THAT MEN AND SOME WOMEN (WONT NAME NAMES LOL).. TAKE THIS AS A WAY TO HURT SOME.. I LEARNED THE HARD WAY.. AND LEARNED IF I TELL YOU I LEARNED WHOAAAA... LISTEN MEN AND WOMEN NEVER NEVER NEVER TELL A MAN YOUR NUMBER OR ADDRESS.. YOU WANT TO MEET HIM NEVER MEET HIM AT HOME.. HE WANTS TO TALK .. TALK OVER A CELL PHONE OR CALLING CARD.. THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACE IS HOME YOU MUST FEEL SAFE THERE AT ALL COST.. YOU SEE WITH THE INTERNET YOU CAN BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE ,, AND WHAT IS SAD MOST PEOPLE WOULD RATHER BE SOMEONE ELSE THAN WHO THEY REALLY ARE..I ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT IF YOU DONT LIKE YOURSELF AND WANT TO BE SOMETHING YOU AINT.. THEN BY ALL MEANS THAT SHOULD TELL YOU .. NO ONE IS GONNA LIKE YOUR ASS.. YOU SEE WHEN YOU TALK TO SOMEONE THE FIST TIME YOU AINT MEETING THEM YOU MEETING THEIR REPERSENTIVE LOL.. SO LADIES GENTLEMAN BE CAREFUL.. AND TAKE IT FROM EMBRACE ... SENDING OUT LOVE HOPE AND PEACEEEEEEEEEEE.

I'M REALLY SURPRISE BECAUSE,WE FELT SO SAFE INSIDE THE HOUSE IN FRONT OF OUR PC WEARING A PIJAMAS EATING A SANDWICH,BUT WE MUST CARE ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHEEPBY INTERNET.MAYBE WE ARE OPENED OUR HEARTS TO A BAD PERSON, AND THEY BECAME OUR CLOSE FRIENDS. AND WE CAN PRETEND BE ALL WE WISHE TO BE . SO PAY ATTENTION NEXT TIME .

I don't give out my personal email address until I am sure or think it will go beyound this site or any other.

This article is the exact reason why in theme with another article people stay home and don't go out and form connection with others ...terror, fear (False Evidence Appearing Real), worry... Yes there are crazies out there, Always have been.... That is why you don't give your home phone and name, use a nickname and a cell phone # and a good way to find out if someone is crazy meet them, keep 911 on speed dial though and meet in a very public place leave a message with a friend, this is who I’m meeting the info I know about them.. if I’m not back by such and such time call 911... in my experiences most crazy people don't have enough patients to actually show up on time or integrity to keep the appointment. And if you are savvy enough to use a computer you should be able to tell who is for real. Safety is important yes but paranoia doesn't lead to happiness life requires risk. Calculated planned cautious- Risk :)

The more I am on here the crazier it gets....wow I am just amazed...I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt but lately..that is almost impossible.........

Unfortunately it's a crazy and scary world that we live in. We must be careful and protect ourselves from the sick people that walk this earth. You can't trust everyone that you come in contact with, you have to keep your guard up at all times. I'd love to think that we live in a society of very loving people BUT WE DO NOT.

i never understood why anybody would go after a person that does not want them ,myself if a woman is not interested so be it , nobody is worth me making myself look foolish and chasing after ,not to mention stalking requires way more effort than i am willing to exert lol. but i think some men are either way to trusting or just very desperate , and unfortunately are easy prey to women and the same for women ,some women make themselves easy targets for men , it's sad that as people we have to be cautious about who we decide to interact with.

WOW, this article is so true. I have been in a few bad situations, not stemming from the internet, but from people on the outside. A maintance man at my old apartment complex a few years back got the keys to my apartment and would let himself in while I was at work, I would come home and a light would be left on, or a t.v. that I never watch is on, instead of having a 6 pack of bud light, I now only had 2. I thought I was going crazy, I lived by myself and I was the only one with access to my home, or so I thought I was the only one. I was taking a nap on hot summer day and all of a sudden I heard my bathroom light go on cause the switch made a sound when you turn it on. I freaked...I didn't have the phone by me and I was covered with only a sheet....I was literally saying my good byes to everyone I love in my head and all of a sudden he poped his head in my room and said "wake up sleepy head"! Needless to say, I told that mother you know what, that he had 5 seconds to get the heck out of my house....I called the police and then from then on I had to be escorted from work to home every night by an officer because this man was nuts.... So, it is not just the internet, its real life, and it is people you would least expect to have access to your lives. Please be careful, it is really hard to meet a genuine person anymore and it is scary and that really sucks!

yes a very interesting artical ....wow franc put up a big one .lol

Very truthful arcticle but whatever way you look at it, you can be lied to anywhere anytime. The answer is caution because sex doesn't determine who will do this to you. Please be cautious everybody. Kenya

Very good article, people have to remember if it's to good to be true then it probably is. People need to be cautious when talking with people online but if you plan to meet the meet in a very public and very crowded place.

what's crazy is not being able to trust a person for who they say they are. You don't know if you really are talking to the person in the photo or some serial ........ But you can ask God to give you the guidance to know the difference.

Be aware of your surrounding,inside, outside,your home, car... We must also be aware of the information that we give out. What a very informative article and comments....

Great test of gullible men! How come you never called me.........!!LOL

am scared! i really feel scared

This is an excellent article , and its a lesson for everybody. If your instincts or "guts" aren't up to par, use extreme caution. Don't ask or give a phone number out in your first few conversations. and try to have a second email address just for chat use and not personal use. I think that these are listed in online dating guidlines , if only the guys would read them and pay attention it would be nice. Just because we dont give out our email and phone right away doesn't mean we aren't interested. We are Just taking Precautions, because Ya neva know !!! And that goes for male or female. works either way.

Whoa!! That is just ridiculous. Gots ta be mo careful!

When a man offers me all of his email addresses to soon and ask me to email them, I get suspicious of their intent and ask to communicate on this site for Safe internet dating. It is good to take your time and communicate well. You can tell a lot about a person if you communicate with them a long time.

I received an email from someone with no picture that want me to email him at his personal address. He didn't want to send the picture here. I was very suspicious of his additude with communicating with me here and never chat with me.Sorry, I'M not interested.Get to know me, chat,email, communicate to know each other.

After being harass by crazies on the internet I know there are more out there.

There are crazy people everywhere. Hide if you have to but be aware they exisit.

What a harrowing story Nick. Just be glad that the most your son wasted was his time and the money he spent on the flowers. Till you meet someone in person and spend time with them face to face you should view most of what they say with a certain amount of skepticism.

dang.. i see some ppl answered this one 2x's or more... but thats not my concern. i have met my equal share of nuts loose from a tree... this includes ppl using the chat room as a way to hurt others. i have seen some make mistakes that cna ruin them and i have seen others go after people just to ruin them. they are on all sides.. male & female. games know no sex therefore there are no boundries. i personallythink the effort u put into playing a game, you should do something constructive & productive with your life instead... HOWEVER... if you start out not being right in the head as in all the cables do not connect properly.. um the best we normal and less humanlly challenged people can do is PROTECT ourselves by not saying anything to personal till we meet the person face to face. again i have been fortunate that the few that have my info did not use it for mischevious purposes. yet the one individual that has, and even twisted the information for personal gain, im sure there will be a day that she will learn a hard lesson from what transpired. lets just hope its not so painful she suffers tremendous loss, pain and true sufferring... ;0)

Tell me about it. There are a ton of crazies in my town.

Crazy people can be found everywhere.. Online as well as in real life..

I have come across a fair share of con artists on this site and found that these people take their job seriously and are very good at it. One just needs to be in tune with how these people act and watch for the red flags.

I have met a few cons on the site as well. Very sad indeed that people have nothing better to do than scam.

Where do u draw the line...seems like if we don't take some risk or leap of faith we could miss opportunities to be with a decent person...???

i think there are crazy people every where.

Doesn't matter where you go, the crazy people will be there to meet you. Hide where you will, they will find you :)

I will be the first to say that I have chatted with some really great people, and some not so nice ones. The good thing is that thankfully, the good ones seriously outnumber the bad ones. You have to find the person that best fits your own personality.

there are crazies @ the store and work too