Historically, whenever we mention “cases” of online dating scams, most of us would immediately imagine a rather familiar scenario. These are the innocent guys, ready to invest their hopes, trust, and sometimes even their money and time into glamorous girls they meet online, who look stunning on their computer screens. However, when the true appearance is revealed, or more specifically, during those face-to-face meetings after a period of dating, the outcome is usually “run for the hills” when the real-life person looks completely different from their online photos.
However, the victims in these stories can sometimes also be women. Recently, a girl shared her unbelievable experience online, crying and lamenting her situation. As fate would have it, she unexpectedly found someone she thought was her soulmate through a dating app. After matching, initially, they only exchanged a few casual messages without anything special. But then, upon discovering that the guy was the son of a fashion shop owner—her passion—both began to interact, talk, and confide in each other more.
Over time, the couple’s feelings grew stronger. When the guy bravely confessed his love, the girl didn’t hesitate to say “yes” to become a happy couple, despite the considerable geographical distance. Her easy agreement to the relationship probably stemmed from the fact that the mysterious guy continuously flaunted pictures of himself. With a bright exterior, a unique personality, and an incredibly stylish fashion sense, it’s no wonder she was smitten after seeing his photos. The clearest evidence was her investment in a train ticket to visit him for their fateful meeting.
Indeed, it was a fateful moment, as when she stepped into the guy’s clothing store, she felt as if her world was collapsing. The dreamboat from the photos was nowhere to be found; in front of her stood a stranger. His hair wasn’t styled like in the pictures, and his face lacked the charming features she had imagined. The guy even initially failed to recognize her as his “online girlfriend.” Once he realized it, he was utterly flustered and embarrassed. Meanwhile, she was left stunned, unable to fathom that her year-long love had culminated in such a disappointing end.
In reality, no one knows for sure. Many people believe that the girl might be too picky and that the guy may have just woken up without time to groom himself. However, others assert more realistically that in the 4.0 technology era, it’s time to abandon the trend of online dating and to question what to believe.