Ladies, here's how flirting online can get you in trouble!

The thought of meeting new people, chatting with strangers and fostering relationships on the Internet appeals to many.

After all, you're safe at home, typing away on your computer and you can easily rid yourself of someone you don't want to talk to -- it's easier than walking out on a disastrous date, right?

Wrong.

A Mumbai daily reported today that a woman doctor from the city was conned online into sending nude pictures of herself to a prospective suitor and came close to being raped. How did it happen?

A 45-year-old senior MNC staffer created a fake profile on a matrimonial website, using a male model's photograph. He then lured the lady into correspondence, which resulted in talks of marriage. He even convinced her to send across nude pictures of herself, claiming that he was working in Tokyo. After the unsuspecting woman foolishly obliged, the fake suitor told her to visit one of his closest friends in Pune. In reality, the 'close friend' was none other than him. Upon her arrival, he allegedly spiked her drink, attempted to rape her and when she realised what he was all about, threatened to post her compromising photographs on the Internet. Fortunately, the woman complained to the police and the accused is now in custody.

We've heard of several cases like this in the past, but a lot of folks continue to learn a lesson the hard way. While matrimonial websites are phenomenally successful and lead to a lot of successful matches, the bottom line is that getting flirty online is a risk. And you shouldn't be putting yourself in a position for anyone to take advantage.

So ladies, here are a few pointers for when you decide to look for prospective partners online. And guys, you may want to sit up and take notice too -- a conniving lady just could just as well take you for a ride!

• Don't ever exchange personal contact details the first time you talk to somebody. He may sound intriguing and charming, but remember, you don't know the first thing about such a person. You don't want to give your telephone number or address to a freak who suddenly starts hounding you with calls or stalking you. It's happened before.
• Don't be too eager to trade photographs right away. They can be grossly misused, even if they seem harmless -- morphing, airbrushing and other tricks can alter your appearance dramatically. Don't use a webcam either -- it's like allowing a stranger to peep into your home and life. And never, ever be so foolish as to send across nude or compromising photographs of yourself to anybody -- you may end up blackmailed or worse, you may find them splayed out on X-rated Internet websites.
• Create a separate email ID for such correspondences and don't add on strangers to your social networking profiles. A hacker may be able to worm his way into your corporate or personal account and sift through your mail, photographs and anything else that's private.
• If you find the conversation getting too intimate too soon, you need to slow it down or maybe end contact with the person you're chatting with. Someone who asks about your vital statistics or whether you're a virgin the first time you hold a conversation online is not good news and his intentions are exactly what his talk implies.
• If you decide to meet up with someone you've come across on the Internet, do so only once you're entirely comfortable with the person online and make sure to do so at a public place like a coffee shop or restaurant -- no impromptu late-night drive or home visits. Agree to a time and make your way there yourself -- you may find that you don't want him to know where you live after all.
• If you find someone attractive after having met him, don't fall head over heels immediately. Make sure to remain just friends till you find out more about him. For instance, you don't want to start up a relationship and then find out six months down the line, when you're head over heels in love, that he's married and has two kids.
• Use common sense and trust your instincts. If someone's profile looks like he's too good to be true, he probably is. It's unlikely that a handsome, rich, intelligent guy who's charming as hell and has everything going for him is single and prefers to use a matrimonial website -- it would be a lot more likely that he could score dates in person. Be wary of such perfect candidates, or you may get a rude shock when young, wealthy and charming online translates into older and unemployed in real life.

What do you think of Internet dating? Have you ever had an unpleasant experience meeting prospective partners online? Ever been duped?

Published in Rediff.

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Recession-hit singles turn to net for love

Lovesick people looking for low-cost ways to find potential partners have turned to the Internet.

According to analysts Mintel, more than 40 percent of singletons have signed up to an online dating agency or are thinking of doing so – hoping they’ll click with that special someone.

They also believe that by 2014 Britons will spend a massive 150million pounds on internet dating services, reports The Daily Express. Senior leisure analyst Matt King said: “Many sites are reporting more users than ever.

“During a recession people spend more time at home rather than spending money going to bars and restaurants – and going online is seen as an effective way to meet new people.” 

King added: “As the recession bites, free internet dating is likely to increase its appeal across the board.” - TOI

Is Your Spouse, Girlfriend Or Boyfriend Cheating On You?

Author: Grant T Dougan

Here's The Easy Way To Catch a Cheater

In over 50% of unions, one person cheats and is unfaithful. No one should be betrayed but regrettably many marriages are lost due to it. If you're curious about how to find out if someone is betraying you, we will give you a simple way to learn if your girlfriend or boyfriend is cheating.

You will only need a few hours at the most. To keep it pain free we will present this tactic in three steps.

Step One:
Here is the hardest part - you must find your spouse's mobile phone for in around 15 minutes without risking them seeing you. Remember that you will want to choose a moment where they will not walk in and find you inspecting their cell phone.

You could wait for them to head out to the store or jump in the shower - just choose a time where you will have the mobile phone alone for a few minutes. The above were only a few ideas to think about..

Part #2:
Once you have their cellphone in your hands, check out the call log list so that you can see all the incoming and outgoing calls that are listed.

When you locate the calls list on their phone, get out a sheet of paper and jot down each number on the phone. This shouldn't require more than 10 minutes even if they have a lot of calls - once you are done set the phone back where you got it from.

Third Step:
It is now time to discover if your mate is cheating..

Now you want to determine exactly who owns each phone number on the list that you made. This lets you know exactly who your significant other has been talking to.

To get information on who owns a phone number, you need to utilize what is referred to as a "reverse telephone number lookup". In this case, this is the most important step for you to catch a cheater.

Just by punching in a number, a reverse phone number lookup will provide you with full details about the owner any phone. You'll discover full information on the person (address, name, etc).

To utilize a reverse cell phone search you will have to shell out a couple of dollars - don't fret though they are very inexpensive. One quick tip, make sure you find a service that charges just a one-time charge which then allows you to run unlimited reverse phone lookups. This gives you a way to learn information on all the phone numbers on your listwithout having to pay for each lookup.

You probably already guessed it - conduct a reverse cell phone search for each number you wrote down and write out the info you find out. After you have run a search for each telephone number, have a look at your results and look for any questionable names or telephone call activity. If anything questionable is occurring, it will stand out.

This trick is the fastest way to find out if your partner is cheating on you. It's a fast and good method to get the information your need.

source

Dating Tips: 5 Signs He is Interested in You

Women hate rejection. Its one thing for a man to be rejected, but let’s face it: for females it’s a much less frequent occurrence, making it all the more horrific when it happens. There are of course non confrontational ways to approach or pick up men, such as going speed dating, or giving online dating a try. Though they offer less pressure, no matter how you play it, there will inevitably be some threat of potential rejection at some point.

Unfortunately, rejection is a part of life.

Fortunately, much of it can be avoided.

If you pay attention to body language and other behaviors, you can begin to develop a sixth sense for picking up any romantic interest directed your way. Learning to read the cues of a person interested in you will lower your rejection rate, and improve your dating stats.

Male or female, singles are most often far too indirect or shy in directing their romantic interest. We often send mixed messages because we have no idea what is going on in our own heads, let alone in someone else’s. What’s needed is a clear set of cues that let you know when a guy is interested.

Signs He Is Interested:

1. He’s everywhere: Have you ever met someone, and all the sudden you are seeing him everywhere? Chances are he liked you. When a guy likes you, he will do everything he can to get you to notice him. Whether it’s stopping by because he was “in the neighborhood” or calling because he forgot some miniscule detail you talked about, a guy who likes you will manage to appear as often as possible in an attempt to gage your opinion of him.
2. He mimics you. Studies show that when you are attracted to someone, you begin to pick up similar habits, mannerisms, and vocabulary. Kind of creepy, kind of cute, remember that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. If you notice him using your catch phrase, giving the same facial gestures, or using your jokes, chances are he’s into you.
3. He shares his personal space. Men are notoriously territorial. Typically, they need at least a shoulder width between them and anyone they interact with. If you notice him letting you get closer than that, by his own choice, it’s a sign that he is interested in letting you get closer to him.
4. He makes eye contact with you. Eye contact is important for gauging honesty and trust in another person. Remember, eyes are the window to the soul, and if he has no problem in meeting and holding your gaze, chances are he’s honestly into you. It’s also a mild challenge, challenging you to try him out both romantically and sexually.
5. He listens. Men generally do not like to discuss the ins and outs of most things if they don’t have to. More direct than women, men use what is called “report” talk versus the “rapport” talk of women. So if you notice he is listening to you (actually listening, and providing poignant feedback) you can bet that he is interested in you. Trust me, a man wouldn’t listen to you go on about the new season’s hottest accessories if he wasn’t.

Source

How To...Impress Him On A First Date

By Brian Alexander

Imagine if we could get an easy-to-follow blueprint that covers the big relationship moments we all face, and keeps it simple. Sounds good, huh? Well, if there were such a thing (written by him, for you), that could see you both through those tricky moments that life, and love, throw your way, this is how it would look. Brian Alexander gives us the skinny on how to impress him on a first date...and how most definitely not to.

Speak
Women accuse men of only talking about themselves, but maybe we're just trying to fill the empty conversation space. "I've been out a few times with women who seemed open and friendly until I asked them to dinner," reports Noah. "They sit there and don't say a word. They make me feel like they either don't want to be with me in the first place or they have nothing to say, which is lame."
Be Smart
No doubt some men - maybe many men - are intimidated by smart women. But brains are sexy! (Glasses are too, but maybe that's just me)
Be sexy, but not that sexy
"I thought she'd expect money to change hands by the end of the night," replied Rob when I asked him if a woman had ever dressed up too much for a first date. "I spent the night watching men watch her and worrying I'd wind up in a bar fight defending her honour." Remember this: We are attracted to you or we wouldn't have asked. So we already think you're sexy.
Pay attention
Don't take phone calls! "I've had women sit across the table from me and take three, four, five phone calls or check their BlackBerrys," my friend Abe reports. "They always say, 'Sorry, it's work,' as if that made it ok." Turn your mobile off, look him in the eye and have a conversation. This is called courtesy.
Don't sleep with him on the first date
You are not hearing this from me, got it? Yes, we may try to sleep with you on the first date. But when I'm sitting and thinking about it rationally, coolly, without having had three glasses of wine with a woman wearing a miniskirt and Louboutin heels, I think of my first date with Elizabeth when, after a beach picnic, we made it as far as her bedroom, lips locked, faces flushed, and she broke off the kissing. She smiled at me and said, "I'm not sleeping with you."
"Ever?" I said.
"I didn't say ever."
"Ok," I said, "how about I leave, then knock on your door and we call that our second date?" That didn't work, but I admired her ability to set a boundary and her challenge to me to overcome it. A game? Maybe. But I came back for a real second date, then a third, and she made me glad I played.

Online Dating Safety Tips

When you are looking to give online dating a try, you must know from the beginning that online dating, just as a traditional dating, does carry with it a few risks. However you like to do it, dating is a dangerous game.

While Internet dating can open many doors for daters, you need to be smart and safe when meeting people online. Most of people online are honest and sincere people who are looking for a partner, but there are also people with ill intentions. When getting to know people online you should follow some basic safety rules.

To make the online dating experience a great one, you should keep in mind some safety tips such as:

You have to be patient; online dating requires a lot of patience; even if you are anxious to meet new people, don't rush into meeting with strangers; you should take time to know the person before you meet in real life

One of the most important rules is that you should keep your personal information private; if you don't know who you are dealing with, do not provide personal information about yourself; don't share your real name, phone number, place of work, address, or any other identify information while chatting or emailing until you are comfortable doing so; this information may fall into wrong hands

Also never give out personal financial details of wages, salaries, savings, investments, bank credits or card details

Even if you decide to make a date, you should not give personal information about yourself until you know the person better

If you decided to meet the person face to face, you better choose a meeting during the day and in a public place

But you shouldn't jump from online chats to a face to face meeting; first you have to collect some information about that person; it is better to talk on the phone, and use it as an additional checkpoint; a phone can reveal much about a person's communication and social skills; in this way you can protect your security

Ask for a photo, this will give you a good idea of the person's appearance; it she comes with excuses, it means that she has something to hide

Also it is important that you use a recent picture and be truthful in your description about yourself; think about the fact that maybe someday you will have to meet her face to face and then she will get angry to see that you have lied from the beginning; so you can end a possible relationship before it begins

Don't be afraid to flirt a little if that's how you feel, but don't be too flirtations as it could be taken the wrong way

Wait until you find your soul mate, don't fall in love with the first girl who is chatting with you; make carefully choices about the information you provide to a date and also be conservative regarding choices of physical and emotional intimacy

Take all the time you need to test a person to see if she is lying and pay carefully attention along the way; if you think she is lying, act accordingly; move on to someone you can eventually trust

If you feel something is not right, listen to your gut and get out the situation; use common sense to make good decisions; trust your instincts and immediately quit corresponding when you feel unsure; if she is not your type let her know politely by proposing her to be just friends

So if anything makes you feel uncomfortable and if you have some doubts about that person, walk away for your own safety and protection

Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true because may not be who she says

Stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for giving your private information

You can ask a lot of questions and make sure you are satisfied with the answers you get

Only meet when you are ready, and when you consider that you have all the information you need about that person

Never meet someone who argues against your instincts or pressures you in any way

It is better to stick reputable and honest online dating services for your safety

I wish you good luck in finding your soul mate and it is up to you now to keep your own safety and protection