What are the common tactics in true online predator stories?

Online predators often use the tactic of isolation. They try to get the victim away from their friends and family, either by suggesting they keep their conversations secret or by making the victim feel like their real - life relationships don't understand them as well. Some also use threats, especially when the victim starts to pull away. They might threaten to expose private information or spread lies about the victim.

Online predators often use the tactic of grooming. They start by being overly friendly and flattering. They might send messages like 'You're so special and unique' to make the victim feel good. Then, they gradually start to ask for more personal information. They may also create a false identity, like pretending to be a peer when they are actually an adult. This way, they can blend in more easily with the victim's online social circle.

One common tactic is to blend in. Spies will often create characters that seem like normal players. For example, they might pretend to be newbies just starting out. Another tactic is to gain trust slowly. They'll participate in group activities like mining or PvP, and do their part well. This makes the group believe they're reliable. Also, they might target key positions within a corp, like getting access to the comms or trade logs.

One common tactic is selling non - existent horses. Scammers will post pictures of beautiful horses that don't actually exist or are not in their possession. They might ask for a large sum of money upfront for the 'purchase' and then disappear. Another tactic is misrepresentation of a horse's health or training. They'll claim a horse is healthy and well - trained when in fact it has serious health issues or is completely untrained. This can lead to victims spending a lot of money on vet bills or training fees later.

There was a case where an online predator targeted a vulnerable person on a social media platform. They started by sending friendly messages, then gradually tried to isolate the victim from their real - life friends. The victim became suspicious when the predator asked for their address under false pretenses. Thankfully, they didn't give it and blocked the person.

A young adult shared their experience of being preyed upon on a dating app. The predator created a fake profile with attractive pictures and a charming bio. They quickly moved the conversation to more private messaging platforms. Once there, they began pressuring the victim to engage in sexual activities over video chat. The victim refused and blocked the person, but it was a very distressing experience.

One common tactic is false identity. Swindlers create an appealing false identity, like a successful business person or a person with a lot of influence. They use this to gain the trust of their victims. For example, they might claim to be a Hollywood producer looking for new talent and seduce young actors into paying for 'audition fees' which are actually just a way for the swindler to get money.

Sometimes they are caught through the reports of their victims. If a victim feels brave enough to come forward and report the predator's actions, the authorities can start an investigation.

A woman once shared her story. She joined an online community for artists. There was a member who was overly interested in her personal life. He found out where she lived through some sly questions and showed up at her house uninvited. She was so scared. Luckily, she had neighbors who helped her, but it made her very cautious about sharing any information online ever since.

One example could be the case where a child was befriended on a gaming platform by someone who seemed friendly at first. But later, this person started asking inappropriate questions about the child's home life and whereabouts. Another example is when a young adult was lured into a false job opportunity online by a predator, who then tried to extort money from them.