Safety & Trust

Pula Love

Safety Guides

Practical, plain-language guidance for staying protected — tailored for the UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and beyond.

Last updated: June 2026

Getting started safely

  • Verify profiles before trusting them — look for consistency across photos and details.
  • Share slowly: a first name and general area is plenty at first.
  • Never share your home address, ID documents, bank details or full date of birth.
  • Keep chats on Pula until you genuinely trust someone.

Communicating safely

  • Genuine people are patient; pressure, urgency and secrecy are red flags.
  • Be wary of anyone who quickly professes love, asks for money, or avoids video calls.
  • Watch for stories that keep changing, or reasons they 'can't' meet or call.
  • Trust your instincts — if something feels off, slow right down.

Meeting in person

  • Always meet first in a busy, public place — daytime is best.
  • Tell a friend where you're going, who with, and when you'll be back.
  • Arrange your own transport there and back; keep your phone charged.
  • It's okay to leave at any time, for any reason.

Cross-border relationships

  • Understand visa realities before making plans — never pay someone for a 'visa'.
  • Travel safely: keep copies of documents, tell family your itinerary.
  • Respect cultural and family expectations on both sides.
  • Take introductions to family at a pace that feels safe to you.

If something goes wrong

  • Your safety comes first — if you're in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
  • Stop contact, block and report the person on Pula.
  • Keep evidence: screenshots, messages, names.
  • Tell someone you trust, and reach out to a support organisation below.

Local support contacts

Emergency numbers can change — always confirm the current local number. If you're in immediate danger, contact emergency services first.

United Kingdom

  • Emergency: 999 · Non-emergency police: 101
  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24h)
  • Samaritans (any distress): 116 123

South Africa

  • Police emergency: 10111
  • GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428

Botswana

  • Police emergency: 999 · Ambulance: 997
  • Local gender-based-violence support — ask Pula for your nearest service

Zimbabwe

  • Police emergency: 995 / 999
  • Musasa (GBV support) — ask Pula for current contact details

Zambia

  • Police emergency: 991 / 999
  • Local one-stop GBV centres — ask Pula for your nearest service