Online Dating can be so much fun, but unfortunately there are Scammers and Con's out there you need to avoid too.

Here's 10 ways to weed them out, and what you need to know to protect yourself online and avoid the Dating Scammers:

1. Are the photos on their profile natural looking photos?:

If they look too professional, they may have been randomly downloaded from anywhere on the web. And the entire profile may be a fake!

I've seen it like this: I had random guy add me as a friend on Facebook who's dressed in a Pirate outfit - I Google'd "Pirate Costumes" and it was the first picture that came up - actually it was a model for the Costume Manufacturer and he'd just stolen the photos!

Another time, a guy who messaged me on the Dating Website POF was using a photograph of the famous Actor Johnathan Rhys Meyers as his Profile Photo without any shame!

I also saw an ex-boyfriend on an Online Dating site who had a real photo of his face on his profile, but he had photo-workshopped a professional models bare-chested body! Right face, wrong body!

If you're unsure about someones Profile Photos invite them to Webcam and find out for yourself!

2. Prostitute Scams:

Prostitutes are straightforward: they place profiles on Dating Sites & Social Networking Sites to solicit new business. Their profiles are usually easily recognized by sleazy user names and racy self-descriptions telling you exactly what they want (But not adding that there's a high price for their services).

3. NEVER send anyone you meet on an Online Dating site money!

Scammers often play it this way: They profess their undying love for you, even provide you with their phone number, and call and email you often. Soon after this they will say they're in some sort of problem situation (Their employer hasn't paid them or there's a sudden Family illness where money for Surgery is required) and they ask you for money.

Too many people have already been caught out this way, when they've been swept away by all the attention - But you're online looking for love - Not to give your money away! Don't take this risk! Don't give them your Credit Card number under ANY circumstances either.

4. He resides in one country but is working in another:

This is popular with Nigerian Scammers. They pose as Businessmen, Architects, Engineers, from England and the like - But will soon admit in correspondence that they're working somewhere in Africa (Nigeria/Ghana). Often they use the word 'Godly' and hide behind a mask of religious beliefs. What men in England use the word "Godly" in every sentence? If he is stating he's from England and using the English Language in an uncommon way like this, it's probably a scammer, and he'll usually admit where he actually lives before asking you for money.

5. Phone Scams:

The person asks you to call them - and when you do it's a 1900 type of number - where you'll end up getting a bill in the mail for hundreds of dollars! Check the area code etc before you call it and Question them about where the phone is that you're calling (Is it their home phone? Work? Mobile?).

6. Where are they when they contact you and at what times?

Someone married may only be able to use the internet to contact you from work - But are they available for you to phone them when they are home in the evenings? It's easy to check this out out once you have their number! If they cannot have any contact with you in the evenings, they are probably not single!

7. Try using an Online Dating Site where the other person has to pay to contact you:

And chose a big name brand Dating Website. Most scammers won't pay- or don't have the funds to pay to contact you, so using this type of Dating Site weeds out a lot of the Scammers and Spammers found on other 'Free' Dating Sites. The genuine one's out there who are interested in you will pay to contact you.

8. Trial the Dating Site before you sign up for a Paid Membership:

Almost every Online Dating Site will let you creat a FREE profile (where paying members can contact you). It gives you a chance to browse the site before having to pay any membership fees to contact others. This way you won't be scammed out of your money if the Website doesn't offer what you're looking for.

9. Read the site's fine print about the Costs:

Especially if you pay via Credit Card for your membership - You need to ensure your Credit Card won't be regularly charged for ongoing membership fee's, even when you're no longer using the site.

10. Google their email address:

Infact, put their email address into some of the popular Social Networking Sites - such as Facebook, Bebo or FRIENDFINDER and do a search to see what comes up.

If you don't get any results there also try the email address they've given you in Google without the @email after it to see if they are using it as their Username on other Websites - and investigate any of the other Profiles they may have online from there.

And finally, if you've detected a Scammer be sure to report it to the Webmaster on the Dating Site - to save other singles from getting caught out online!

The dating sites I recommend as the best are listed here:

• http://strictkly-dating.blogspot.com/

Best wishes,

StricktlyDating