Exposing Tinder's most common scams
Uncover online dating apps scams and learn how to protect yourself
Dubai Online dating platforms like Tinder have revolutionized the way people connect, but they also offer fertile ground for scammers. Trevor Cooke, Privacy Expert at EarthWeb, explains the most common scams on Tinder and provides essential tips for avoiding them.
In 2022, romance scam victims in the US reported $1.3 billion in losses in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Reddit and other social media websites also include instructional materials demonstrating ways to use LLMs to make fake dating profiles seem more credible.
Authorities in Indonesia, Thailand, and Canada have made a series of arrests of romance scammers over the past few weeks, showing an international effort to crack down on these criminals. Dating platforms themselves may also be trying to remove profiles, especially if they have been flagged by victims, Narang said.
According to Bloomberg Fraudsters are using AI-generated images to create unique dating profiles, according to findings from Satnam Narang, a senior staff engineer at the cyber firm Tenable.
Let's look into the types of scams used:
Catfishing and romance scams
Catfishing, where scammers create false online identities, remains a prevalent issue on Tinder. These scammers build emotional connections over time, only to request money or personal information later.
"Scammers often invest months in gaining trust before claiming they need money for emergencies," Cooke explains. The Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler" highlights the story of Shimon Hayut, who posed as a wealthy diamond mogul to defraud women of millions. To avoid such scams, Cooke advises users to be cautious of anyone who quickly tries to move conversations off-platform or asks for personal information early on.
Image Credit: Bonobology
Sugaring scams
Targeting individuals by posing as wealthy benefactors seeking "sugar baby" relationships. These scammers promise financial support but ultimately exploit their victims financially.
The Better Business Bureau warned against fraudulent sugar relationships in January, citing a victim who believed checks were legitimate and funds were real. The victim sent her money to these contacts, costing her $19,500.
"Genuine sugar relationships involve clear communication and mutual agreement," says Cooke. He advises skepticism toward anyone promising lavish gifts without establishing trust in a person.
Credit Image: KROC
Fake or bot profiles
Many Tinder scams involve fake or bot profiles using stolen images and fabricated information to lure users. These profiles are designed to initiate conversations and eventually request personal information or money. Cooke recommends being cautious of profiles with limited information and performing reverse image searches on profile pictures. "If a profile picture appears on multiple sites, it's likely stolen," he warns.
Two-Factor authentication scams
Some scammers exploit Tinder's two-factor authentication (2FA) by convincing users to share their 2FA codes. This allows scammers to gain access to victims' accounts. "Tinder will never ask for your 2FA code," emphasizes Cooke. Any request for this information is a clear red flag.
Image Credit: Sophos News
Tinder promoter scams
Some individuals claim to offer money or free premium features in exchange for promoting the app or participating in surveys. These offers are usually fraudulent, aiming to extract personal information or money. "Tinder does not employ promoters or ambassadors in this capacity," warns Cooke. Any unsolicited offers should be approached with extreme caution.
Six tips to be cautious while online dating
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Reverse image searches: If you’re concerned that someone is trying to use a catfishing scam, you can use a reverse image search to see who a profile picture may truly belong to.
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Keep personal information confidential: An online dating match doesn’t need to know your banking details, Social Security number, or other data. During the early stages, you should be cautious and not reveal too much too soon.
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Use safe dating verification sites: These sites will verify that the people using dating apps are representing themselves. If you use this, don’t send money because that could be another online dating scam technique. Genuine dating verification will ask for identity documents and money only if you upgrade your account.
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Report online dating scams to law enforcement: If you’ve been scammed or suspect an online dating scam, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, (IC3).
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Ask lots of questions: Don’t be rushed by an online match. Ask lots of questions and get to know the person slowly.
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Listen to your gut: If someone seems too good to be true you may have met a scammer, not a potential love interest.