What are the common types of 'online predators stories'?

One common characteristic is that they often pretend to be someone they're not, like a peer or a friendly person at first. For example, in many stories, they pose as a young person to gain the trust of their target.

There was a case where a so - called 'nice guy' on an online dating platform turned out to be a predator. He seemed very friendly at first and quickly gained the trust of his matches. But then he started to isolate them from their friends and family, and became controlling and abusive. He used the information they shared during their early conversations to manipulate them.

Well, there are several common types. Identity theft is quite prevalent. Criminals steal personal information to assume someone else's identity for financial gain. Cyber - extortion is another, where hackers threaten to release sensitive data unless a ransom is paid. And of course, there are cases of online harassment, which can range from mean comments to more serious threats.

One common type is blackmail related to personal information or photos. For example, someone may hack into your device and get hold of private pictures or data and then try to extort money. Another type is business - related blackmail, like threatening to expose trade secrets or false negative reviews about a company. Also, there is blackmail on social media platforms where people may be threatened with false accusations or having their private messages exposed.

Well, phishing stories are common online danger stories. You know, some people receive emails or messages that look like they're from legitimate companies, asking for things like passwords or credit card numbers. Then there are stories about malware. Malware can infect your device and steal your data or disrupt your system. And don't forget about the danger of meeting strangers online. There have been many stories of people getting into trouble when they meet someone they only knew from the internet.

Well, the 'bad - manners' type is quite common. Some people are rude on the date, like constantly checking their phones or talking over the other person. There's also the 'unrealistic - expectations' type. For instance, a person might expect their date to be a perfect 10 in every aspect based on their online conversations. When reality doesn't meet those expectations, it becomes a disaster. And don't forget about the 'hidden - agenda' type, where someone has ulterior motives like just looking for money or a place to stay.

The most common is probably phishing. Scammers try to trick you into giving personal information like passwords or credit card numbers. Then there are romance scams where people pretend to be in love to get money from their victims. And also lottery scams, where you're told you've won a large sum but need to pay a fee to claim it.

Phishing is very common. Like the example I mentioned before, scammers send emails or messages that look legitimate but are actually trying to steal your info. Another type is hacking into accounts. For instance, if your password is weak, hackers can easily break into your social media or email accounts. There's also malware. If you download a malicious file, it can steal your identity information stored on your device.

One common type is social media stalking. People might follow every post, like, and comment on a victim's account in an obsessive way. Another is email stalking, where unwanted and often threatening emails are sent repeatedly. Also, there's location - based stalking through apps that might accidentally expose someone's whereabouts, and the stalker uses that information to track their movements.

I think the most common ones are those that start on online forums. For example, on a travel forum, two travelers might exchange tips about a particular destination. They get more and more interested in each other's travel experiences and plan to meet during their next trips. And then there are those from online gaming communities. Gamers often form teams and get to know each other well while playing, and some may decide to meet offline for more gaming sessions or just to hang out.