The world of online dating, although very convenient, can often turn unpredictable.
You look at a few photographs, glance through the profile details, and swipe right when you come across an interesting profile.
If everything goes well, you take this virtual date to the real world. But what happens next might not always be a pleasant and thrilling experience.
Sometimes, things can turn out to be unexpectedly complicated. From instance, your online match might dupe you, stalk you or even lie about their relationship status.
Here are seven real-life stories that reveal the dark side of online dating.
1. We got into a live relationship but she already had a boyfriend
“I met a girl online and after talking for a month, we got into a relationship. We lived in the same city although we were from different hometowns. So, we moved-in together and everything was normal for the first few weeks. Later, I got to know that she already had a boyfriend and was trying to make him jealous by dating me.”
2. I was his rebound
“I got into a relationship with a guy I met on an online dating app. I was in love and he meant the world to me. After two months, he confessed that he had broken up a night before meeting me on the app and was looking for someone to distract him. He was trying to get over his ex-partner and he had no feelings for me. He apologised me for hurting my feelings and asked me to never contact again. This is one of the worst experiences of my life.”
3. She duped me
“I matched with a girl I met on an online dating app and we shared a good chemistry. We exchanged numbers and started hanging out on weekends. She used to flirt with me every day and dropped me hints about her feelings for me. I was hopeful we would be in a relationship soon and I used to pamper her with gifts, take her on shipping sprees and vacations. After four months, she confessed that she considered me only a friend and I misunderstood her in the wrong way. When I asked her to return the money I had spent on her, she blocked me from everywhere.”
4. We met on a trip and started dating
“I was on a solo trip and met a girl online who was also a solo traveller. We continued the trip together and she proposed me for a long-distance relationship. I said yes, and we returned to our respective cities. After a month, I specially travelled to her town to surprise my so-called girlfriend at her office. She yelled at me for arriving without informing and confessed she was dating someone else in her office.”
5. She came to meet me with her boyfriend
“I met a girl on an online dating app and quite liked her. She talked to me about her business along with other topics we discussed. We planned to meet for a ‘date’ and strangely, she came there with her boyfriend. They tried to convince me to invest in their business during the entire meeting. When I complained that it was supposed to be a date, she clarified that she never liked me and it was a business meeting for her. I uninstalled my dating app that day.”
6. She wanted to settle abroad
“I work in Europe and was in South Africa for two months. I chatted the girl for a few weeks and we decided to meet one day. Strangely, she proposed me for marriage and even expected me to talk to my family as soon as possible. I was taken aback for a few seconds and I asked her the reason why she fell in love with me. She blatantly replied that she always wanted to settle abroad and we can fall in love after tying the knot.”
7. I could not recognise him!
“It was one of those weekends when I had no plans. I matched with a good-looking, tall guy online and we decided to meet him after talking for a few hours. When I actually saw him, I could not recognise him. He had edited his photographs way too much and looked completely different. He had a paunch in reality but his photographs told a different story of a man who flaunted his six-pack abs! I left after talking for about 15 minutes.”
