Dating apps Scams
Fraud that starts on dating apps — from romance scams to crypto grooming.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Dating apps are a primary entry point for romance scams, pig-butchering investment fraud, and sextortion. Scammers create convincing profiles — often using stolen photographs of attractive individuals — and invest weeks or months building genuine-feeling emotional connections before introducing a financial angle.
Because these scams exploit loneliness and the genuine hope of finding a partner, they can be harder to recognise and particularly difficult emotionally. Victims sometimes continue sending money even when friends or family raise concerns, because the relationship feels real.
This guide covers the main scam types that begin on dating apps, the signals that a connection may be fraudulent, and the support available if you have been targeted.
Common scams on Dating apps
Romance and investment fraud (pig butchering)
A match builds a trusting relationship over weeks or months, then introduces a 'successful' investment or crypto platform that turns out to be fraudulent.
Sextortion
A match requests intimate images or videos and then uses them as leverage to demand money.
Advance fee and emergency requests
A match claims a financial emergency — medical bills, a stranded traveller — and asks for funds, promising to repay.
Fake check-in or subscription scams
Users are directed to a third-party site to 'verify' their identity, triggering a recurring subscription charge.
Common red flags
- A match who never agrees to video call or always cancels last minute
- A profile whose photographs appear in a reverse image search under a different name
- Any mention of investments, crypto, or 'great trading platforms' early in the relationship
- Requests for money, gift cards, or crypto — regardless of the reason given
- A relationship that moves very fast emotionally but the person refuses to meet
- Overly perfect profiles that seem too good to be true
- Claims to work abroad in a profession that explains their inability to meet
How to protect yourself
- Reverse image search profile photos early in a new connection
- Insist on a live video call early in any new match — scammers typically avoid them
- Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you have not met in person
- Be wary of investment or crypto conversations — this is a major red flag on dating apps
- Tell a trusted friend or family member about new connections if they feel very intense
How to report it
- Report the profile directly within the dating app using its report feature
- Report to your national fraud authority and, if money was sent, to your bank immediately
- Contact a support service — financial and emotional recovery support is available in most countries
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a match is real?
Request a live video call early in the conversation. Reverse image search their photos. Be cautious of people who always have an excuse not to meet or video chat. Genuine people are generally happy to verify who they are.
I have been sending money to someone I met on a dating app — is it too late?
Stop sending money immediately. Contact your bank to explain the situation — they may be able to recover some funds. Report to your national fraud service. You are not alone, and there is no shame in having been targeted.
Are romance scammers ever brought to justice?
Yes, though it is difficult. Law enforcement agencies across multiple countries work on romance fraud cases. Reporting is important because it helps build intelligence even when immediate recovery is unlikely.