10 Online Dating Scams to Watch Out For (2024)

Jenny had a great job in marketing, a buzzing social life, and a loving family. Intelligent, successful, and beautiful, Jenny seemed to have it all –except a partner, which she wanted more than anything.

One day, she received a DM from a charming stranger on Tinder. He wrote, “Hi, I’m Ben. I don’t want to sound like a weirdo, but I’ve been following you for a while. I love your pics, and you seem like such an interesting person. I finally mustered the courage to reach out.”

Though initially cautious, Jenny decided she might as well give it a try – and found herself charmed. Ben seemed perfect: handsome, loving, considerate, and even attentive. Over time, they grew closer, and Jenny fell in love.

Then, disaster struck. Ben told Jenny that his mother was critically ill and needed urgent surgery. He was desperate for cash. Jenny, wanting to help, wired $20,000 for the surgery, confident he’d repay her right away.

A few days later, Ben vanished. Heartbroken and financially drained, Jenny had no choice but to pick up night and weekend shifts at a coffee shop to recover the money she had lost. Her trust, self-confidence, and belief in the possibility of finding true love have also yet to recover.

Jenny’s tragic story is fictional, but it mirrors the experiences of many who have fallen prey to online dating scams. While online dating can lead to fairy-tale endings, it also has some possible dark plot twists. Read on to learn about the archetypes of the top online dating scams and how to avoid them.

10 Common Online Dating Scams and How to Avoid Them

1. Catfishing Type 1: Prince Charming Needs a Loan

If you’ve heard about The Tinder Swindler, then you know this one. In this common catfishing scheme, a scammer creates a convincing but entirely fake dating or social media profile to seem like the perfect partner. They often have very polished photos that depict a lavish lifestyle. They make the victim feel lucky they are drawn to them and special for having their attention.

Once the scammer gains the victim’s trust, they concoct an elaborate story about a personal crisis and ask for an urgent loan or other money-related help. The emotional manipulation intensifies as the scammer continues to build a false sense of intimacy and urgency with the victim, often pressing for immediate assistance to solve their fabricated problems.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Be suspicious of overly perfect dating/social media profiles – accounts with mostly generic photos of vacation spots, luxury goods, etc.
• Be skeptical of any relationship that escalates emotionally very quickly. This is known as love bombing.
• Never send money to someone you’ve only met online, no matter the story.

2. Catfishing Type 2: They’re Really Into Your Personality

Here, the scammer aims to gather personal data and information from their victim. Using a fabricated profile, they engage in deep conversations and ask questions to extract sensitive information, which they can use for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

This type of scammer often targets victims who are generous with information and eager for a connection, using flattery and emotional cues to lower their defenses. They convince their victims to share phone numbers, addresses, passwords, social security numbers, ID cards, etc.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Don’t share very personal information with someone you’ve only met online.
• Use search engines and social media profiles to cross-check and verify the identity of people you’ve only met online.
• Cut off and block anyone who is asking for private details, like your social security number.

3. Catfishing Type 3: Brave Soldier/Doctor Abroad in Need

These scammers pose as soldiers, doctors, or other professionals who claim to be on overseas missions. They use this disguise to appeal to the victim’s sense of empathy and duty, later asking for financial assistance for what they claim are noble causes.

The emotional ploy often involves stories of alarming conditions or urgent medical needs that only a financial contribution can resolve. The story of being abroad on a mission also makes it easier for the scammer to avoid in-person meetings and even phone or video calls.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Avoid sending money to someone you have never met in person.
• Be wary of anyone who claims to need financial help to access their own money.
• Verify the story through third-party sources such as embassies or government websites.

4. Catfishing Type 4: Inheritance Comes at a Cost

In this scam, the perpetrator convinces their target that they stand to inherit a significant sum of money but need help covering legal fees or unlocking the funds. The catch usually involves paying money upfront or providing sensitive personal data.

In this case, the victim is often blinded by the promise of a happy ending. They are led to believe that the other person wants to share the money with them, pamper them, take care of them financially, live together, or even get married. The tales spun here are elaborate and can even involve fabricated legal documents.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Disengage with anyone pressuring you for money or personal details.
• Recognize that legitimate inheritances do not require upfront payment.
• Consult with a trusted legal advisor before acting on any inheritance claims.

5. Sextortion

This is one of the most dangerous and destructive online scams, as it involves sexual abuse. Sextortion begins with the scammer manipulating or deceiving the victim into thinking they have a relationship and sharing emojis, memes, and selfies, slowly making them feel more comfortable with sharing their photos.

At a certain point, the scammer asks the victim to take the relationship to the ‘next level’ and send intimate photos or videos of themselves. Then, the scammer uses those to blackmail the victim, threatening to release the content unless they receive payment. This type of scam plays on the victim’s fears of public shaming and embarrassment, leveraging their anxiety to extort money repeatedly.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Use strong privacy and security settings on online accounts.
• NEVER share intimate photos or videos with someone you haven’t met in real life.
• If threatened, do not pay the blackmailer. Talk to a trusted friend or a professional, like a social worker or a law enforcement official. In most countries, there are online resources and staff dedicated to helping victims of online sex crimes.

6. Fake Dating Apps and Websites

As dating apps and websites become more popular, so are the stories of people who find meaningful relationships through them. This leads many people to try different dating platforms and explore all their options.

Some scammers take advantage of that and create fake dating apps and websites. These are built to appear legitimate but are designed to steal credit card information and personal details, or even distribute malware. These sites may mimic real dating platforms with sophisticated interfaces, making it harder to identify them as fakes without close scrutiny.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Use only well-known and reputable dating apps and websites.
• Check reviews and ratings of a dating service before signing up.
• Never enter your credit card details on platforms that aren’t encrypted or verified.

7. The Online Version of an STD, AKA Malware

Malware is a broad term that includes various types of malicious software. When it comes to online dating scams, malware can take many forms, from computer viruses to Trojan horses, but it is usually designed for one goal –stealing users’ data. Once it infiltrates a device, it can cause significant security damage and compromise personal information.

In the case of online dating fraud, the scammer builds a relationship with the victim and starts exchanging messages, content, files, and links during seemingly innocent conversations. Eventually, they will persuade the victim to open one of these links and download malware unknowingly. This can result in identity theft, financial loss, or further spreading of the malware.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Don’t trust anyone who pushes you to download or open files.
• Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
• Keep your antivirus software and operating system up to date to fend off malware.

8. One Love Match, Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to log-ins or devices by requiring two verification forms. Usually, it will be a combination of a number you know, like a password or an ID number, and using a device for confirmation, like receiving a code to your phone or an authentication app.

In an effort to overcome this security precaution, some scammers pose as romantic interests having trouble receiving their own verification code. They then ask the victim to receive it instead on their behalf. It seems innocent, but in reality, it’s usually the victim’s own code. This technique exploits the victim’s willingness to help someone they believe they have a connection with.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Never share your verification codes with strangers you’ve never met.
• Secure your accounts with a two-factor authentication method that you control entirely.
• Understand that legitimate services will never ask you to forward a verification code.

9. Fall Hard in Love with Cryptocurrency

As part of this elaborate fraud, the scammer builds a relationship and trust with the victim to eventually introduce a false investment opportunity in cryptocurrency. These types of charlatans will make it sound like they are very passionate about cryptocurrency and have made good money by investing in the field, and they’re simply keen to share their good fortune.

The scammer will often promise substantial returns to the victim, but the investment is either nonexistent, fraudulent, or worthless. These fabricated opportunities are presented with compelling arguments, false evidence, and sometimes even fake websites, apps, or cryptocurrencies.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Research any investment opportunity independently.
• Stick to well-known and regulated cryptocurrency platforms.
• Be skeptical of anyone pushing you to make quick financial decisions or investments.

10. The Love-Struck Money Mule

In the money mule scam, the scammer gains the victim’s trust and then uses their bank account to transfer and launder illegally obtained money. The scammer builds a relationship and, after a while, asks for the victim’s help with money deposits, transfers, wires, or all the above.

The scammer might romanticize the request, framing it as necessary help for a financial emergency or business transaction. Most victims will find the request innocent and even flattering that their love interest trusts them with their precious income, unaware that these actions might implicate them in criminal activity.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• Refuse to receive deposits from people and sources you don’t know.
• Be cautious of transferring money to others, especially if you only met them online.
• Report any suspicious financial activities or requests to your bank and local authorities.

How to Protect Yourself from Online Dating Scams

The good news is that avoiding online dating scams is entirely doable, thanks to some reliable online security tools. After reading this guide, you understand most scammers’ tactics and can identify red flags quickly to avoid heartbreak… or worse.

Let’s start with the best online security tools, starting with PIA VPN. Use PIA to protect your digital identity by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic. This ensures that no one can track your location, monitor your online activity, or collect your browsing data.

We also recommend using PIA’s antivirus software to regularly scan your devices for malware. It’s also a good idea to use password management tools to secure your accounts with strong, unique passwords.

What to Do If You’re the Victim of an Online Dating Scam

1. Immediately cease all communication with the scammer.
2. Take screenshots to document your interactions and their profile details for evidence.
3. Report the scammer to the dating app or platform you encountered them on.
4. Block the scammer to prevent further contact.
5. Conduct a thorough malware scan on your devices using antivirus software.
6. Use a password manager to update all your passwords.
7. Set up PIA VPN on all your devices to safeguard your online activity, for better online security and privacy.
8. Optimize safety settings across all your online accounts to minimize vulnerability.
9. When you’re ready, talk to someone you trust. Share your feelings and ask for help so you don’t have to go through it alone.
10. Reach your local authorities, especially in cases involving sextortion or financial exploitation.

You can read more about romance scams and file online reports on the FBI and HSI websites.

Why PIA Is the Best VPN for Dating Apps

PIA VPN is designed to keep your location hidden and ​​your personal information secure. With just one click, you can mask your IP address and ensure no one will know your location unless you decide to share it. When you connect to one of our servers, your internet traffic goes through an encrypted VPN tunnel that protects your data and keeps your online activity hidden from prying eyes.

PIA’s fast, reliable connections mean you can have uninterrupted video chats and enjoy smooth swiping on Tinder and other apps. With VPN servers in 91 countries, you can privately access dating apps from anywhere, whether you’re on the go, at work, or even traveling abroad.

Our support team is ready to help anytime via live chat or email. With our 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try PIA VPN risk-free with complete peace of mind.

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