Over 60's onlinedating is a farce

No one is a fool for seeking what is a basic human need and that is companionship and we would like to think that those companies who provide such services are above reproach and no doubt there might be some that do while others simply follow those age old vices of this world of exploitation and greed to make a quick dollar over the vulnerable.

However, the other issue is that even if a company tries to be diligent in protecting legitimate users there will always be schools of sharks and chameleons circling out there in the digital world ready to pounce - the internet shines a very intense light on the fact that the world if full of unethical, unprincipled scumbags represented in equal measure by both sexes.

Laws can be circumvented and the fluidity of the internet any penalties that are imposed are temporary a company (it can be just one person) can set up the same operations overnight virtually, under another name and no one will be the wiser.

Given that companies that offer these services are not local to the country of their operations they would be difficult to prosecute given the permeable nature of doing business on the internet. A court could if the server is with that country's jurisdiction order it to be shut down but as soon as that is actioned all these scammers have to do is move countries.

The weight of evidence that would need to be collected and proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court to show that a company was committing fraud or scamming would be enormous as well as showing where the breaches in law have occurred.

In terms of cost of prosecution that too would run into many thousands of dollars a very long case that in the end may not bring about the desired result.

In this day and age the old maxim "Caveat Emptor" applies as does the statement about using the internet if it is too good to be true it is likely to be fake just leave and minimize one's losses as much as possible.

I can only agree with what Mr Smith has written above. But if only our government services could provide a free opportunity for safe meeting for folks that are so lonely and who refuse to join these commercial groups... or have been damaged by joining with them and paying for their dubious services. This would help with the health of the nation--we need a minister in charge of dealing with loneliness.....lots of chronic illness could be headed off as emotional issues affect physical health... of course... as is well known...Brenn