<p><strong>Bazeta</strong> (bazeta.com) — Dating Safety Guidelines. Version 1.0.</p> <p>The Dating section of Bazeta lets adults meet people nearby. Most members are genuine, but classifieds attract scammers too. These guidelines help you stay safe online, when arranging a meeting and in person. They are part of our <a href="/legal/rules" rel="noopener noreferrer">Posting Rules</a>. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.</p> <h2 id="1-before-you-start">1. Before you start</h2> <ul> <li><strong>You must be 18 or older.</strong> Profiles of minors are removed and reported. If you meet someone who appears underage, report the profile immediately.</li> <li><strong>Use the internal chat.</strong> Keep conversations on Bazeta until you are confident about the person. Moving quickly to WhatsApp, Telegram or email is a classic scam pattern and removes our ability to help.</li> <li><strong>Protect your identity.</strong> Do not put your surname, workplace, home address, phone number, social-media handles or car plate in your profile or photos. Avoid photos that are also on your social networks — a reverse image search can reveal your identity.</li> <li><strong>Choose photos wisely.</strong> No nudity or sexual content; it is against the rules and may be used for blackmail.</li> <li><strong>Check the profile.</strong> A member-since date, a verified email badge, several natural photos and a coherent story are good signs. Model-like photos, a brand-new account and immediate declarations of love are warning signs.</li> </ul> <h2 id="2-recognising-scams">2. Recognising scams</h2> <p>Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or bank details to anyone you have not met in person — whatever the story. Common patterns:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Romance scam:</strong> a person abroad (soldier, oil-rig worker, doctor on a mission) who cannot video-call, quickly professes love and then needs money for a ticket, a customs fee, a medical bill or a "package".</li> <li><strong>Sextortion:</strong> after exchanging intimate images or a video call, the person threatens to send them to your family or employer unless you pay. Do not pay — it never stops. Save evidence, block, report to us and to the police.</li> <li><strong>Investment ("pig butchering"):</strong> a charming match slowly introduces a "guaranteed" crypto or trading platform and offers to help you invest. All such platforms are fake.</li> <li><strong>Verification scam:</strong> a link to "verify" your identity or age on another website that asks for card details.</li> <li><strong>Sugar arrangements and paid encounters:</strong> offers of money for company are prohibited on Bazeta and are frequently fraud or trafficking.</li> <li><strong>Ticket and visa scam:</strong> a match asks you to buy their flight so they can visit, or to pay a "visa fee".</li> <li><strong>Restaurant scam:</strong> a first date at an expensive venue chosen by the match, who disappears when the bill arrives or pushes drinks at inflated prices.</li> </ul> <p>Signs to watch: refuses video calls; photos look professional; text is inconsistent with claimed nationality or language; the story has emergencies; asks about your finances; wants secrecy; sends links.</p> <h2 id="3-arranging-a-first-meeting">3. Arranging a first meeting</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Video-call first.</strong> A short video call confirms the person matches the photos.</li> <li><strong>Meet in a public place</strong> — a café, a busy park, a shopping centre — during the day or early evening. Never at a private home, hotel room or remote location for a first meeting.</li> <li><strong>Arrange your own transport</strong> there and back. Do not accept a lift from your date, and do not share your home address.</li> <li><strong>Tell a friend</strong> who you are meeting, where and when, and share your live location. Agree on a check-in time and a code word.</li> <li><strong>Stay sober and keep your drink in sight.</strong> Do not leave your drink unattended; if it tastes odd or you feel unusually unwell, get help from staff immediately.</li> <li><strong>Keep your phone charged</strong> and your valuables with you.</li> <li><strong>Do not bring large sums of cash</strong> and do not agree to "help" the date with a purchase or transfer during the meeting.</li> </ul> <h2 id="4-during-and-after-the-meeting">4. During and after the meeting</h2> <ul> <li>Trust your instincts. If something feels off, leave — you do not owe anyone an explanation.</li> <li>You can say no at any point. Consent must be clear, ongoing and can be withdrawn. Pressure, guilt-tripping and intoxication are not consent.</li> <li>Be mindful of your online footprint after the meeting; only share what you are comfortable with.</li> <li>If the person behaved threateningly, harassed you or turned out not to be who they claimed, report the profile to us and, where a crime occurred, to the police.</li> </ul> <h2 id="5-travelling-to-meet-someone">5. Travelling to meet someone</h2> <p>If you are meeting someone in another city or country: stay in accommodation you booked yourself, keep your documents and return ticket in your control, keep in touch with family, check the local laws (in some countries dating, cohabitation or same-sex relationships are restricted), and never let someone else "arrange everything".</p> <h2 id="6-lgbtq-safety">6. LGBTQ+ safety</h2> <p>In some countries same-sex relationships are illegal or dangerous, and Bazeta disables same-sex seeking options there in accordance with local law. If you travel, research the legal situation. Be careful with profiles that ask leading questions about your orientation — entrapment does occur in some places.</p> <h2 id="7-protecting-others">7. Protecting others</h2> <ul> <li>Do not share other members' photos, messages or personal data. Doxxing and revenge porn are crimes in most countries and lead to an immediate ban.</li> <li>Respect boundaries and take "no" for an answer. Harassment, insults and unsolicited sexual content are reported and lead to a ban.</li> <li>If you suspect someone is being trafficked or coerced, report it to us and contact a local anti-trafficking hotline.</li> </ul> <h2 id="8-what-bazeta-does">8. What Bazeta does</h2> <ul> <li>Age gate (18+) and human verification on registration and posting.</li> <li>Automated and human moderation of profiles, photos and messages; detection of duplicate photos and known scam patterns.</li> <li>Rate limits on messages and "show phone"; new accounts cannot send links.</li> <li>Block and Report buttons in every conversation; reported profiles are hidden pending review.</li> <li>We cooperate with law-enforcement requests made through lawful channels.</li> </ul> <p>We cannot verify every member and we are not a party to your meetings; please use these guidelines and your own judgement.</p> <h2 id="9-getting-help">9. Getting help</h2> <ul> <li>Report a profile or conversation: use "Report" in the chat or profile, or email [email protected].</li> <li>Emergency: your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 911 in North America, 999 in the UK and many other countries).</li> <li>Scam or sextortion: your national cybercrime unit or police; keep screenshots and payment details.</li> <li>Support for victims of sexual violence or domestic abuse: national hotlines are listed in the <a href="/help/safety" rel="noopener noreferrer">Help centre</a>.</li> </ul>