Is it safe to send money to someone I met on a dating app if I have seen them on video call?
No. Video call verification is no longer reliable — deepfake and pre-recorded video tools allow scammers to appear on camera convincingly.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Video calls were once considered a reliable way to verify that a person is who they claim to be, but deepfake technology and pre-recorded video tricks have largely removed this certainty. Some scammers use real-time deepfake software that overlays a different face on their own during a video call. Others play a pre-recorded video while chatting by text separately. Requests for money from people met on dating apps — regardless of how much you feel you know them or how convincing they appear on camera — should be treated with extreme caution. No person who has a genuine romantic interest in you should place you in a financial position that creates stress or loss before you have met in person. Meeting in person in a safe public setting remains the only reliable verification.
Common red flags
- Video call feels slightly delayed or the person's movements seem unnatural
- They cannot respond to unexpected on-screen requests such as writing a note or holding an object
- Relationship has moved very fast emotionally before you have ever met
- Any request for money, regardless of the reason given
What to do now
- Never send money to someone you have only met online regardless of video call history
- During a video call, ask them to hold up a piece of paper with your name on it — real-time deepfakes struggle with this
- Report suspected scammers to the dating platform
- If you have sent money, report to your bank and national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Is meeting in person always safe if I arrange it?
Meeting in a well-populated public place is a reasonable step, but it does not by itself mean the person is trustworthy with your money. Financial requests should still be evaluated independently of how a meeting went.