My Shocking Encounter: Unveiling the Dark Side of Online Dating

The first time I used an online dating app was in high school. At that time, I was curious about the world and had intense sexual impulses (did you have any during your high school years?) that made me want to engage in intimate interactions (not mean I don't want to now!).

However, being a shy and somewhat conservative person, I refrained from uploading my photo and primarily engaged in online chats. I did meet some guys on the app, and I consider myself lucky that most of them were nice people. However, upon reflection, I realized that I had encountered potential risks that could have led me into difficult situations. I believe it's important to write them down and share with you the potential dangers I experienced.

• Risk one: Drugs and unsafe "interaction"

During that time, I received some photos from individuals on the app. One image that stands out in my memory is of a person who sent me a nude photo. He had a perfectly sculpted body, was good-looking, and appeared to possess certain attributes (e.g. a nice weapon). He asked if I had any photos to share, and I thought sending a normal picture would be fine. After all, he was attractive, so why not? I sent him my picture, and that's when things took a turn.

He became overly eager to invite me to his house. He asked me my age, and I responded truthfully. He asked if I had any experience, to which I replied no (which was true!). He then asked about my intentions, and I answered that I wanted to go on a date (yes, I was quite cute back then!). He offered to have me over at his place, suggesting we could chat, watch a movie, or do something together. I recalled his profile stating he was 26 or 27 years old, but his bio hinted at a desire for "group interaction." Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked if he lived alone. I knew deep down I wouldn't go, but perhaps I just wanted to have a conversation with this handsome individual and satisfy some controlled desires. He responded by mentioning having friends at his place. Unsure of what to say next, I suddenly received a call from my friend, causing me to delay my reply.

The following day, I resumed texting with this person. He seemed polite but started making more offers. He mentioned being able to provide money and asked how much I needed. Furthermore, he brought up the topic of drugs, suggesting it would enhance my experience and make it memorable. At that moment, I felt a slight temptation, possibly due to hormonal influences. However, I resisted the urge. The situation felt strange, and I realized I wasn't fully prepared for what might have transpired.

• Risk two: Fake Pictures

In the first story, I believed the pictures I received were genuine because the person sent quite a few, and the images were clear. However, I encountered several individuals whose pictures did not match their actual appearance. It seems that many people like to showcase their best looks on their profiles, but unfortunately, many of them are not honest with themselves and pretend to be someone they're not. I can relate to being nobody special, but I strongly believe that honesty is the best policy. It can be truly disappointing and a waste of time when you invest more than three months talking to someone, feeling close to them, and considering taking things further, only to discover that you can hardly recognize them when you finally meet in person. I must admit, it can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. It's not solely about appearance, but being honest and genuine is essential. After all, the goal of using a dating app is to meet people, and the true version of yourself will eventually be revealed.

• Risk three: Fraud? Always not in person

There are a few people who don't want to meet in person and prefer to only engage in online conversations, sometimes even for over a year, before considering meeting (but will they actually meet you?). While I understand that some individuals may only be interested in online communication, if your intention is to have a date, this type of person may not be suitable for you. Firstly, if they only want to talk online, they may become bored and disappear at any time if there's no deeper connection. Secondly, it's difficult to determine if they have hidden intentions, such as gaining your trust and attempting to exploit you for financial gain. Thirdly, you don't truly know which aspects of their personality are genuine, and it can be hurtful if you develop feelings for someone who isn't being entirely truthful.

I had a conversation with a guy on the app who initially showed me his picture but later took it back. We talked for three months because he impressed me with his humor, ability to understand my emotions, and his insightful answers to various topics. He also shared a personal love story of betrayal from his past, which made me feel like he was looking to start a new relationship in the future. Over time, I developed feelings for him as we continued to have online chats. He seemed genuine and took the time to get to know me, always making me laugh. However, whenever I suggested meeting up, he claimed it wasn't the right time, and when I asked for recent pictures, he couldn't provide them.

Something felt wrong, and I realized that this situation was unhealthy as my emotions became more intense. I decided to confess my feelings to him and asked for his thoughts, but he consistently changed the topic. Initially, I tried to convince myself that it was okay, but eventually, I recognized that this situation wasn't healthy for me. If he didn't share the same feelings as I did, it was best for me to move on. I eventually left and blocked him. However, the story didn't end there, as something else happened in the future, and I discovered another side of him. I will share more about it in future articles.

Those were some of my experiences. Do you have any encounters to share? Feel free to share them with me. If you enjoyed my article, I welcome you to subscribe and support me. You can find my personal link in my bio. Thank you.