A lot of new players are aware that there are online Poker scams, but the fact is that when confronted with one they are not sure how to react. The reason is that players who perpetuate these shenanigans will seem very convincing. To avoid them, one should be aware of their modus operandi.
One of the most common Poker scams is that of someone who asks you for some small amount, say $10 to $20 for a loan. Because he seems such a friendly guy, you give it to him, and he earns your trust by paying it back, sometimes with interest. Having earned your confidence, he will ask you for increasing amounts.
Of course, by the time the loan reaches the thousands, you will no longer hear from him, and only later on will you realize, after his disappearance, that he has been paying with the money obtained from other Poker players. Not only has he taken thousands from you but also from other players as well.
Another online Poker scam, and even more dangerous, involves a player who asks that you exchange money with him. For instance, he will tell you that if you give him $200 he will give you $250, the additional fifty as a gesture of goodwill. What you do not realize is that the money is taken from another player's account, which he stole.
Not only will you be robbed of money, but you will end up with stolen cash which could get you into legal trouble.
There are numerous kinds of online Poker scams out there, but there are ways that you can protect yourself. The first is that you should always be careful of your password and not pass it around, be it in emails or in the chat rooms.
Another way to protect yourself is by being more careful with lending money. A lot of these scammers will seem very friendly, and may even come up with some story to entice you to lend him money. Be wary.
The bottom line is that, whether it is online or land based, you should always be careful with your money, and whom you place your trust in. Try to scrutinize the person as much as you can, and make certain that the money that he borrows will be of a reasonable amount.
By taking these precautionary steps you will never become victim to online Poker scams.
