Swipe right to get duped

Finding strangers online to chat was fun, way back in time. As of now, it is a smokescreen to indulge in fraud and assault. It is just a matter of time for the ‘pleasure’ received while chatting with a totally unknown person online to end up in total misery. Gangs lurking behind dating apps are increasing in the state. The victims often lose money and even face assault. Dating apps, no matter what, have revolutionised the process of finding partners. Things have gone through such a shift that the partners found through dating apps now stand a high chance of being criminals.

The Kasaragod Chandera incident, where 20 people, including an AEO, are accused of raping a 17-year-old boy, germinated from a dating app. The security feature and the above 18 criteria are a sham in major dating apps, as minors find no difficulty in registering on such apps in the pretence of crossing the threshold age barrier. Even women are part of the crime circling dating apps as they often befriend youngsters, lure them to video call in the first conversation and show the courage to go nude. The trouble comes later in the form of screenshots and threats. The demand will be money, which many naïve youngsters often acquiesce to, fearing embarrassment.

Sex chatting with a certain fee is another shady business continuing with impunity behind the veneer of the dating apps. Since this is the era of AI, youngsters need to be more aware of the implications. An AI scam was carried out in Ahmedabad, even in the name of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A doctor who invested money after hearing the Union Finance Minister recommend a special investment plan in her voice lost lakhs.

Girls on dating apps often find their match in no time and will be lured to virtual sex within days. The video will be slyly recorded by the culprit and used to threaten later. Boys are mainly lured by offering drugs. Those who interact with social media should make a habit of not giving out personal information, including social media account information and phone numbers. Parents should also take precautions to prevent their children from falling into such traps. It is best to put the parental control app on before handing phones over to children.