Humans need connection. And algorithm-enhanced dating apps make it increasingly easy to connect with like-minded people. But as helpful as online dating tools can be, they introduce a new risk to falling in love: scammers conducting nefarious schemes to steal wallets, not hearts.
Romance scammers match with potential partners' on reputable apps, social media, or fake dating platforms. Then, through their interactions, defrauders:.
Steal social security or credit card numbers. Here are a variety of common traps to watch for. Fake dating sites look like legitimate platforms for people to meet but have suspiciously few prospects. These sites often ask matches to provide personal information, especially about their financial situation. Fraudulent sites may also start free before asking users to sign up for a premium version later on. The site will pretend to take payment but collect financial data instead.
In sugar daddy scams, a defrauder poses as a wealthy older person seeking the companionship of a younger partner. The fake sugar daddy pretends they want to offer their companion an allowance but asks for a one-time payment or personal information upfront to steal information.
The scammer will ask their beloved to marry them and, soon after, seek money β like funds for flight money so the couple can allegedly meet in person. Scammers build rapport with their victims and leverage that trust to ask for intimate pictures or videos.
