More and more victims of financial scams are starting their misadventure on dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble or Hinge. After a ‘match’, some profiles continue the conversation on WhatsApp or Telegram... but their goal is not love, it's money.
Find out how these scams work and how to protect yourself.
How scams on dating apps work
1. Targeted solicitation
Fraudsters create attractive fake profiles or send messages ‘by mistake’ to start a conversation.
They may also contact you via Facebook, Instagram or other social networks.
2. Building trust
They quickly present themselves as wealthy investors or cryptocurrency experts.
Their goal: to establish an emotional or professional relationship to gain your trust before talking about money.
3. Investment proposal
They invite you to invest on a fraudulent trading platform, sometimes as a duo to ‘share the risks’.
In reality, no real investment takes place and your money will be misappropriated.
4. Transfer and manipulation of funds
You are invited to open a personal account, but it is controlled by the fraudsters.
The platform simulates gains to encourage you to invest more, before blocking your funds permanently.
Warning signs of an online investment scam
- The other person insists on continuing the conversation outside the dating app.
- They promise quick and risk-free gains.
- They ask you to transfer money to an unknown platform.
- They talk about sharing ‘exclusive’ secrets or strategies for getting rich.
What to do if you are a victim?
- Cut off all contact with the person and the platform.
- Notify your bank if you have already transferred money.
- File a complaint with the police and report the fraud on ConsumerConnect or Safeonweb.
- Keep all evidence: screenshots, messages, bank statements.
- Be wary of ‘recovery rooms’: scammers may offer to recover your funds... in exchange for payment. This is often a second scam.
