Fake profiles - why?

[maxxblue]

I am fairly new to UKP, and often see posts warning of fake profiles etc., and I know that there is another thread warning about scams (https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=420.0).

I also notice on some AW profiles an alert warning that the profile might not be genuine.

My question is why would people put up a fake profile?

Why should I worry about replying to an ad on vivastreet, for example? It is not as though I am parting with any money at this point?

Sorry if my questions are naïve.

[smiths]

I am fairly new to UKP, and often see posts warning of fake profiles etc., and I know that there is another thread warning about scams (https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=420.0).

I also notice on some AW profiles an alert warning that the profile might not be genuine.

My question is why would people put up a fake profile?

Why should I worry about replying to an ad on vivastreet, for example? It is not as though I am parting with any money at this point?

Sorry if my questions are naïve.

One reason is in the hope of making money off the Private Gallery on the profile.

Another is A/W themselves COULD be posting some of these fake profiles up that have PGs to make even more credits and thus money off punters, they have no regulation so can do as they please pretty much.

[vorian]

I am fairly new to UKP, and often see posts warning of fake profiles etc., and I know that there is another thread warning about scams (https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=420.0).

I also notice on some AW profiles an alert warning that the profile might not be genuine.

My question is why would people put up a fake profile?

Why should I worry about replying to an ad on vivastreet, for example? It is not as though I am parting with any money at this point?

Sorry if my questions are naïve.

Lots of reasons but mainly PG scams a fake profile is set up and they hope punters will pay money to view the PG many thousands of pounds can be made and as AW get a cut they have little incentive to stop the profiles. Even if AW shut one down they keep all the money the punter gets zero back. Fake profiles is very big business.

[maxxblue]

So do I have to worry about my safety or just my wallet?

[CoolTiger]

In the early days AW were also accused of putting up fake profile in order to pretend that they had far more escorts on their books than the actual numbers who had registered with them, thereby implying that they were the most popular site for searching for escorts. 

[vorian]

So do I have to worry about my safety or just my wallet?

It is very rare but possible a profile will be set up to entice you in to rob you but can happen. More likely to be bait and switch or a reduced offer of services and you can always walk. Why risk either though plenty of real profiles with reviews out there.  After a while of looking at profiles you can tell a lot with a quick scan then look further in depth if your interested.

[smiths]

In the early days AW were also accused of putting up fake profile in order to pretend that they had far more escorts on their books than the actual numbers who had registered with them, thereby implying that they were the most popular site for searching for escorts.

Indeed so, and absolutey nothing to stop them now wanting 100% of PG credits rather than settling for a 30% cut.

[maxxblue]

Thanks very much - the advice is appreciated!

[Strawberry]

I think a certain percentage are created just for fun, or in the heat of the moment then forgotten about. AW is free and some people believe it or not do like to entertain themselves 'pretending', and they could be male or female. I think it's less likely to be for fun on Vivastreet because you do have to pay to advertise on there, however bait and switch could be operating on there and they aren't as hot on stolen photos. They told me to go to the police when I pointed out the photos on a particular profile looked like they were lifted from a model site. Fakes aren't limited to those 2 sites either, nor women, I've seen photos from 'stock' image websites on profiles on other directories.

[AnthG]

For AW PG scams mostly. But I get the feeling the comments about AW putting up fake profiles themselves maybe not far from the truth.

Going a bit on a tangent, but I have wanted to have a place to put this rant and have been wanting to rant about this for a good two or so months now. But This time last year I signed up for 6 months worth of membership to match.com. After signing up I intended to put a lot of effort into my profile but gave up and just left it in a very not very good form.

I let my membership expire in September and in all that time I got one message of someone adding me to their favourites in my six months premium membership time.

Now literally every week once a week I am getting emails from them of new people seeing me and putting me in their favourites list. And you have guessed it, for me to see who has done it I need to sign back up for another subscription.

I am sorry to say but Match.com are a conning disgrace for doing stuff like this and definitely a company to avoid. They are definitely not a reliable website.

[maxxblue]

I think a certain percentage are created just for fun, or in the heat of the moment then forgotten about. AW is free and some people believe it or not do like to entertain themselves 'pretending', and they could be male or female. I think it's less likely to be for fun on Vivastreet because you do have to pay to advertise on there, however bait and switch could be operating on there and they aren't as hot on stolen photos. They told me to go to the police when I pointed out the photos on a particular profile looked like they were lifted from a model site. Fakes aren't limited to those 2 sites either, nor women, I've seen photos from 'stock' image websites on profiles on other directories.

Thanks Strawberry - so on sites where you have to pay to advertise, apart from getting a different girl than the one I expect, what are the dangers of making contact on these sites?

[Strawberry]

Thanks Strawberry - so on sites where you have to pay to advertise, apart from getting a different girl than the one I expect, what are the dangers of making contact on these sites?

I am not quite sure what you are trying to get at with this question.

If you mean is punting dangerous, there's a chance you might be missold services that aren't actually on offer, or that the person is running a robbing type set up where they take your money, and ask you to leave or try and blackmail you. This is a fairly rare occurence and doing your homework, a bit of research by asking on forums, searching reviews, and applying a bit of common sense you can minimise the risks. Most prossies make more money seeing clients, offering them a good service than risking breaking the law by robbing or blackmailing clients.

Using tineye and google image search can help you identify possible fake image use.