If anything, I worry for Be-happy123, who seems to be a lonely Canadian/American dude who just needs a hug with possible happy ending. He may be the who risks getting groomed and taken advantaged of at the end.

For those who still use cash (AlPage48?), when inserting your debit card into ATMs such as for ICBC, you may hear a prerecorded woman's voice in Chinese. They are basically warning customers not to give out passwords or other sensitive info to unknown numbers (via SMS or voice calls) pretending to represent the bank. A friendly caution of potential phishing. I'm assuming this type of organized scam is rampant across China, whose victims are not restricted to seniors and the more gullible.

In terms of relationship grooming for future favors, money borrowing, or eyeing assets for hostile takeover. These scams appear to be an insidious social problem we should all naturally be wary of. Not restricted to dating sites or personals in the classified section, but have evolved into online gaming and live streaming social platforms like Douyin with a gluttony of followers/patrons.

To my understanding, phishing is a type of scam where voice calls, text, emails, or "unofficial" WeChat account disguise themselves as reputable or familiar organizations which victims inherently trust. For example, phishing scammers pretend to be Bank of China, PSB, or a local hospital inquiring about victim's personal information, to be used for nefarious purposes.

This is not the case above. It is highly unlikely women would submit their sensitive info to a total stranger right off the bat. Especially to "Be-happy124" looking to get lucky on GoK's personals, but unbeknownst to his potential cuddling partners, is trying to steal their banking info.

That said, online dating scams are prevalent worldwide. Scammers prey on victims' trust in order to have them invest in shady dealings. Cryptocurrencies for instance in HK. Or less financially depleting, splurge at teahouses or bars they may get commissions from. So it goes without saying we should guard ourselves from scams that tap into our innate greed, lust, or fear. Those are a different beast from phishing.

Why are you scouring the personals, lemon? Business or pleasure? ;)

A bit of devil's advocacy. I think it may be possible poster is being truthful in his ads. He could in fact hold dual citizenships. Fishing with his Canadian and American passport baits to increase his chances of a bite.

No, he isn't being subtle with his flirty intentions. At least he's being direct about it. Quite a few men may hide their actual intentions by hooking women with false hopes of a marriage, granted not all women may want all out serious relationships. Lonelier women these days may also seek fun and companionship on the side while looking for a serious relationship as their MO. The eclectic, non-binary nature of personals are not for us to judge too harshly.

So my overall take is the poster seems honest enough. However, the self-pronouncement of being "highly educated" did ring a familiar bell. That tone sounded like a guy, whom I shall not name, you were engaging in an acrimonious exchange with in the forums a while back.

Yereth, let us know if your green code has updated to a green shield by now.