Recently a flood of scams has been pervading several of the top webmail services, as well as many of the top online dating and matchmaking sites throughout the Internet (including Reciprodate).

For those of you unfamiliar with this email scam, the basic idea is simple. Somebody purporting to be a Nigerian banker (or widow of a deceased General, son of a rich millionaire, etc.) contacts you, offering a chance to earn some serious money. Often his bank will be looking after the considerable fortune of a deceased millionaire - from shipping magnate to former president. He says he needs a foreign bank account through which to launder the money - and in return for sending him your bank details for this purpose, he will give you a share of the spoils.

Of course those who fall for this scam never see these promised millions. Instead their bank accounts are often cleaned out once they have handed over all their details - which include bank account numbers, copies of their passport and drivers licence and phone and fax numbers - it is a simple identity theft, dressed up with a tempting lure for the gullible.

View examples of scam letters here

You've been warned. If you still feel compelled to give out your valuable personal information over the Internet to people you barely know, we strongly suggest you first conduct a background check.

If you don't know where to conduct a background check, US Search is a reputable agency that conducts very thorough online dating background checks.