Scams on dating sites: how fake profiles get you to send money
Quick answer
Fake profiles on dating sites and apps build a romance, then ask for money. If someone you haven't met in person asks you for money, the FTC says it's always a scam. Stop sending money, tell the site, and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
The FTC says romance scammers create fake profiles on dating, social networking and chat sites, and that it gets thousands of reports a year.
Typical script:
- A match who loves you fast, with good photos (often stolen, sometimes from real military personnel).
- A story that keeps you apart: working overseas, deployed, travelling for business.
- A push to leave the dating site for text or another app.
- A crisis that needs money: a plane ticket, a medical bill, a customs fee. The FTC warns about requests by wire, gift or cash reload card.
- In some cases, an "investment tip". The FBI notes that crypto investment fraud often starts as a romance scam.
What they want is money, and sometimes your personal details.
Red flags
- Professes love quickly
- Says they're from your country but is overseas for work or military service
- Won't video call or meet in person
- Wants to move off the dating site to text or another app
- Asks for money, gift cards, wire transfers or crypto
- Suggests a crypto investment they can "help" you with
Example message
I've never felt this way about anyone, and I know we've only talked for two weeks. I'm stuck abroad and my account is frozen. Can you help me with [amount] using [payment method]? I'll pay you back the day I'm home.
What to do
- 1
Stop sending money
The FTC says never to wire money, load gift or cash reload cards or send cash to an online love interest: you won't get it back.
- 2
Check the photos
Run a reverse image search on their profile pictures and talk to a friend or relative about the relationship.
- 3
Report the profile to the site
Use the dating app's report tool, then block the account.
- 4
If you already sent money
Call your bank or card issuer right away, save the chat and payment details, and report to the FTC and IC3.
- 5
If you shared personal details
Change passwords, turn on two-step verification and watch your accounts and credit reports.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers often have your name, age, city and phone number before the first chat, because those are easy to find on people-search sites. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your name, phone number and email where you live and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
Are dating sites scams?
No. The platforms are real, and scammers create fake profiles on them. Use the site's report tool to flag the account.
What's the quickest tell?
The FTC says that if an online love interest you haven't met in person asks for money, it's always a scam.
Why do they want to leave the dating app?
The FTC lists luring you off the dating site as a warning sign. Off the site, the platform can't see or remove the account.
Can I get my money back?
Call your bank or card issuer immediately. The FTC says money sent by wire, gift card or cash reload card generally can't be recovered.
Sources
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