The rise in popularity of social networking platforms has also brought with it a worrying problem: dating app scams.

These scams have become increasingly frequent, with fraudsters exploiting the vulnerability and trust of users.

Below, you'll learn how to identify the most common scams, as well as essential tips to protect yourself and enjoy dating apps more safely.

Most common dating app scams

Understanding the most common scams is the first step to protecting yourself. Here are some examples that, unfortunately, have become commonplace:

• Romance Scam
  • Scammers use fake profiles, often with attractive photos and exciting stories. They build up a relationship with the victim, gain their trust and at some point ask for money, usually for medical emergencies or urgent trips.
• Phishing
  • Here, scammers send fraudulent links within the application. By clicking, you can be directed to pages that steal personal or financial information, such as passwords and bank details.
• Catfishing
  • Catfishers create false identities, using photos of other people and invented information. They don't always have financial intentions, but they can cause significant emotional damage.
• Fake Subscription Scams
  • Scammers create websites that mimic dating apps and encourage you to pay for subscriptions that don't actually exist.
• Fake Help Requests
  • Making up touching stories to ask for money is another common practice.

How to spot dating app scams

Now that you know about scams, it's important to know how to spot the warning signs. Here are some tips:

1. Profiles Too Good to Be TrueIf a profile seems too perfect, with extremely attractive photos and impeccable descriptions, be wary. Scammers often create idealized characters to attract victims.
2. Relationships too fastBeware if the person tries to create an emotional connection too quickly. This could be an attempt to gain your trust before asking for something.
3. Reluctance to Make Video Calls or MeetingsIf the person avoids video calls or face-to-face meetings, they may be hiding their true identity.
4. Money ordersNever send money to someone you met online, even if their story seems convincing.
5. Suspicious Links: Don't click on links sent by people you hardly know. Always check the source before accessing any page.

How to Protect Yourself from Dating App Scams

Here are some actions you can take:

• Check Profiles Carefully
  • Look at the details in the profile. Profiles with few photos, vague information or generic language can be suspicious.
• Use Verification Tools
  • Many applications offer features to verify the user's identity. Give preference to verified profiles.
• Keep Conversations in the App
  • Avoid sharing your phone number or switching to other platforms too early. Scammers prefer less monitored networks.
• Protect Your Personal Information
  • Never share information such as your address, place of work or bank details.
• Report Suspicious Behavior
  • Most applications have tools for reporting suspicious profiles. Use them to help protect the community.

What to do if you fall for a scam

Even with all the precautions, it is possible to become a victim. If this happens, follow the steps below:

1. Stop Contact Immediately: Block the scammer on the app and on any other platform where you have communicated.
2. Report the Profile: Inform the application of what has happened so that other people are not harmed.
3. File a police report: Go to the nearest police station or use the Electronic Police Station to report the case.
4. Monitor Your AccountsIf you have shared financial information, contact your bank and be on the lookout for suspicious transactions.
5. Seek supportTalking to friends, family or even a professional can help deal with the emotional impact.

Fake Profiles and Deepfakes: The New Face of Scammers

These days, it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell who's real and who's not on social networks and dating apps. Unfortunately, many scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at creating fake profiles.

They use photos of other people, made-up stories and even trick information to pass themselves off as someone they're not. These profiles may look super attractive, but the aim is just one: to deceive.

And with the advance of technology, the danger has increased. Today, we have deepfakessuper realistic videos or audios created by artificial intelligence.

Imagine if you start talking to someone and suddenly they send you a video saying they're in love or saying things that seem very sincere.

But in reality, it's all part of a digital manipulation. The idea is to create such strong trust that when you least expect it, the scammer will ask for something, like money or personal information.

The impact of this is not only financial, but also emotional. Victims often feel humiliated and even guilty for having been cheated.

This can affect their trust in relationships, both online and in the real world. That's why it's very important to be aware of the signs and always question when something seems too good to be true.

Tools such as reverse image search can help you check whether someone's photo really belongs to them or was taken from somewhere else. And, of course, never share personal information or send money without being completely sure that you're dealing with someone you can trust.

Trends and New Scam Tactics in 2025

As time goes by and technology advances, scammers are also reinventing themselves. In 2025, online scams will be more sophisticated and harder to identify.

Artificial intelligence, for example, is being used to create automatic profiles that interact with you in a super realistic way.

These profiles are able to understand how your behavior works and adapt conversations to seem more genuine, making the fraud even more convincing and easier to fall for.

What's more, scammers are becoming experts in emotional manipulation. They know how to create love stories or drama to win your trust before asking for your financial help.

This emotional approach is one of the most powerful because it directly affects our feelings, making it difficult for us to discern that we are being manipulated.

The good news is that we're getting smarter. Technology is evolving to help us identify these scams more quickly, and social media platforms and dating apps are starting to adopt stricter measures to protect users.

How to report dating app scams

Dating apps are fertile ground for scammers, who take advantage of our search for a relationship to manipulate and deceive.

The scam begins innocently enough, with pleasant conversations and even declarations of affection, which ends up creating an emotional bond. Eventually, however, the scammer makes a request, such as a financial emergency or a plausible justification for asking for money.

When this happens, it's essential to act quickly. Reporting the suspicious profile directly through the app is the first step.

Most dating platforms, such as Tinder, Bumble e Hingeoffers an easy reporting option, which allows you to report abusive or fraudulent behavior.

The more evidence you can provide - such as suspicious messages or screenshots - the easier it will be for the platform to investigate the case.

Conclusion

Dating apps can be an incredible way to meet people, but safety must always come first.

Knowing the most common dating app scams and adopting preventive measures is essential to ensure a positive experience.