Hi, I just signed up for Yahoo Personals about 2 weeks ago and so far have received 2 mail messages, both from fairly attractive women (which prob makes it way more likely the profiles are fake) and they both contained strikingly similar messages. Both talked about how they had their heart broken in a recent relationship and how all they care about now is a sense of humor and looks don't matter, etc. Anyway, check out these two excerpts I've lifted from each message.

Message 1:

"My interest is in a good personality and sense of humour for I need someone to lift my spirits. I preffer a with sound and mentally matured, am open to any depending upon them i will love to share the intimate side of myself with someone willing to do the same."

Message 2:

"My interest is in a good personality and sense of humor and someone whose fun to be with as I need someone to lift my spirits. but am open to any depending upon their sharing the intimate side of myself with someone willing to do the same."

OK, these are two supposedly different women in different cities and the phrases are pretty much identical with a little bit of filler changed in each one. It seems fairly obvious to me that likely both are fake profiles. They both wanted me to message them outside of Yahoo Personals. The first one I did and they replied with a long "life story" to which I replied back, and haven't heard from back in a week, even though up until that point they had been responding within 24 hours. The second one I have not contacted, and I'm beginning to think, what's the point, b/c it's probably another fake

I was just wondering what others thought about this particular situation and if they have noticed the same kind of fake profiles in their experience. Are most online dating sites just one big joke with a bunch of fake profiles and scams?

OK, I did a little more research and one of the females claims to be named Sophia Moore, and she supposedly lives near me, but is in Africa at the moment (probably a dead giveaway right there). Anyway, I googled Sophia Moore and the first results I got were for a Hungarian pornstar named Sophia Moone who looks pretty much exactly like the photos of "Sophia Moore". Anyway, I guess I got my answer right there, and it looks like the only 2 connections I've made in my first 2 weeks on Yahoo Personals are scammers. I'm beginning to wonder if online dating sites are even worth it, or if they are just a bunch of scammers and fake profiles.

Did you report the scammers? It's easy to do on Yahoo. I used Yahoo for a while last year and didn't mind it, but I am having better luck on Match.

Dating sites are like everything else in the world there are good ones and bad ones. Stay with the popular ones and you shouldn't really go wrong unless you live in the middle of nowhere. Always sign up for free first to make sure there are woman in your area.

Many sites are doing this. Such as Singlesnet.com Many fake profiles. You get 3 people who looked at your profile the moment you post it every time. Posted more than one profile. Profiles shown multiple times in whos online. When everyone looks at someones profile they get an email saying "they are interested in your" which is a downright lie and putting words in other peoples mouth. They have fake posts on craigslist directing you to the site to respond. etc.

African women are all over. Many on Love Access. They pick american cities as locations. If you start chatting, ask them how long they have lived in........., then they will usually divulge they are in either Ghana or Nigeria. You can tell who they are by the pictures which usually look staged, the ages they are seeking in a partner, go up to 70 or 99. Something out of the norm for a relationship based on their age. Also their grammar and sentence structure is poor. They also have very generic things to say about the partner they want. "True man" , "life together" blah blah blah. If you see them on a site, please flag them, report them to the site etc. I have responded to many of them in chats by saying they are lying, fake etc and they immediately delete their profiles themselves. It will do us all a favor and deter them.

I have been on Yahoo Personals for more than 3 years. It seems that there aren't any good looking men in my area who are interested in me. However, I have met three men from Yahoo and everything is legit. One of them has turned into a good friend of mine for over two years (no chemistry), and the other became a client. I'm going to try a different site now because most of the men in my area on Yahoo are Yahoos!

3 DATES IN three YEARS?

aND YOU STAYED ON THIS SITE PAYING MONEY FOR 3 YEARS AND ALL YOU GOT WERE 3 DATES??

YOUR NAME SAYS IT ALL

I have 5 meeting through Yahoo personals during this August, but I don't like no one.
Hope meet a good man through my church.

You have ~got~ to be kidding...

It's possible to see those fake profiles from fricken space..

Their English is off, as most of the perps live in Africa.. <--- ( I am not joking )

Yahoo Personals is a ~terrible~ service.. More than half of the profiles posted by women are fake, and the signs become soooooo obvious that it is extremely easy to tell after just a short time..

*** Pretty girl - Check

*** Her age range of interest - between 19 and 99 or 18 to 50... obviously there are ~zero~ young women on Yahoo Personals looking for 50 year olds.. right??? - Check

*** The photos look too good to be true - Check..

*** The english is slightly off.. this is the clincher.. It is beyond easy to tell within the first few sentences - Check

*** They send you a message that contains.. My profile is about to expire.. or there is some reason why I need to give you my personal email.. so, here is my email " xyz AT yahoo DOT com.. - Check

!!!!DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO YAHOO PERSONALS - MORE THAN HALF OF THE WOMEN ARE FAKE!!!!

I am 37 years old / live in Northern California / Own a small business that revolves around the web / this is no joke..

Do not subscribe to Yahoo Personals unless you are truly interested in being scammed by dudes in Nigeria ! Period.

I haven't used Yahoo personals but I know a couple friends who did and had great results. As far as scammers go, they are on many sites, not just dating sites, and when you come across one, report them. Unless you take action against them by reporting them, nothing will change. The dating sites have no control over who decides to try and scam others. They can't do anything unless you report the scammers.

I met my boyfriend on a different dating site, but no matter which one you choose, if you are honest in your profile, realistic with your expectations and not looking for some air brushed model half your age, you are less likely to get scammed. The scammers are looking for, and trying to attract people with unrealistic expectations and they make promises that some people want to believe...so they get taken. Be smart, be aware and you can do great on dating sites. My 2 cents.