I’ve been on and off sugar dating platforms for a while now, but I never thought I’d end up as a victim of one of those classic scams people always warn you about. It all seemed so real at first — the lavish dinners, the thoughtful messages, the expensive gifts — but when I look back on it now, it’s clear I was being played from the start.
It started like any other sugar dating encounter. I signed up for a popular platform, and within hours, I had messages from several potential suitors. Most of them were polite, a few made me feel a little uneasy, but one guy really stood out. Let’s call him Chris. His profile picture was sleek, with him in a tailored suit, smiling beside a private jet. His bio spoke about his successful business, his love for travel, and how he was looking for a “smart, driven woman who knows what she wants.”
At first, I was a little skeptical. I mean, who wouldn’t be when someone comes off as that perfect? But, he seemed genuine. He told me he liked to take care of women who had their lives together and wanted to spoil someone who was deserving. I liked the sound of that. He wasn’t pushy. He wasn’t all over me right away. He seemed… normal, actually. We exchanged messages for a few days, talking about our interests, background, and what we were looking for.
He then suggested we meet in person, and we arranged a dinner at an upscale restaurant. When I met him, I was a bit taken aback at how charming he was. He was well-spoken, funny, and had an air of confidence about him that made me feel completely at ease. The night went well, and he was attentive, ordering champagne, telling stories about his travels and business dealings. I was impressed, and as much as I tried to remain cautious, I couldn’t help but enjoy myself.
The first few weeks after that were a whirlwind. We went on several more dates — luxurious dinners, shopping trips, and a weekend getaway at a private resort. Each time we met, he showered me with gifts. Nothing too extravagant, but thoughtful — designer bags, a nice bracelet, even a new laptop (though I had to admit, it seemed a little over the top). He was so attentive, asking about my work, my life, and even my dreams. It felt different from other sugar arrangements I had been in before. This didn’t feel like a simple exchange of time for money; there was something more personal about it.
But then, things started to get weird.
One evening, after a nice dinner, he suggested that he wanted to help me with some of my personal expenses. I was shocked at first. “I’ve got plenty of money, but you seem like someone who could use a little support to make your goals easier to achieve,” he said, like it was no big deal. He asked if I had any upcoming expenses that were bothering me, and I, feeling a bit awkward, mentioned a few things — mostly just bills I was struggling to pay off after a rough couple of months. He told me not to worry, that he’d cover them. He seemed so generous, and I felt relieved. He told me to send him the details, and he’d “take care of it.”
At first, I didn’t even question it. I figured this was just part of the dynamic. He was a wealthy guy who genuinely wanted to help me out. But as time went on, he started making it clear that there was more to it. He began to mention that he was looking for “investments” in some business venture he was working on. At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal — he was asking for a relatively small sum, and he mentioned that it would be a great opportunity for me to “get in on the ground floor.”
Now, I’m not a financial expert, but something about the way he was talking made me uneasy. I had never heard of this “business venture” before, and he wasn’t really giving me any concrete details about what it was. Just vague promises about “returning the favor” down the road and how great it would be for both of us. The idea of giving him money — even if it was just a few hundred dollars at first — started to feel like a risk I wasn’t willing to take.
I hesitated. I asked for more details about the venture, about how it worked, and where the money would go. He seemed annoyed by my hesitation, which should’ve been my first red flag. He then told me that if I didn’t invest now, I would “miss the opportunity,” but assured me that I would “get back everything I gave, plus more.” The pressure was on, and the more he pushed, the more I started to feel uncomfortable.
And that’s when it hit me — this wasn’t just a “business opportunity.” This was a scam.
I started Googling some of the things he had said, and immediately, I found other women talking about similar experiences with “generous men” who started out offering help and ended up asking for money upfront. I couldn’t believe it. I had ignored all the warning signs — the pressure, the vague explanations, and his sudden need for money from me. I had been so caught up in the idea of a rich, older guy helping me out that I completely overlooked the red flags.
I texted him the next morning, telling him I wasn’t interested in moving forward with the “business venture,” and that I wanted to take a step back from our arrangement. He didn’t respond immediately, and when he did, it was a terse, “You’re making a mistake. I was trying to help you.” I never heard from him again after that.
Looking back, it’s almost embarrassing how easily I got swept up in the idea of someone like him. It all seemed so legit at first, and I never thought I’d fall for one of these scams. But that’s exactly how they get you. The flattery, the gifts, the attention — it all feels so real, until the moment they ask for money upfront.
So, here’s my advice: if someone you just met through a platform starts pressuring you for money, even if they seem charming or wealthy, don’t ignore your gut. Don’t let the gifts and the promises cloud your judgment. Trust me, I learned the hard way. You deserve better than to be used in someone else’s scam.
