FBI Report Shows Online Dating Scams on the Rise

In February, the FBI issued an alert about the increase in online dating scams, noting that dating app users were cheated out of about $1 billion in 2021 alone. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said reports of romance-led scams increased 80 percent during the same time. 

The FBI also received more than 25,000 reports of dating app-related fraud in 2021, according to USA Today.

The Netflix documentary about the Tinder Swindler has brought attention to the intricate methods that scammers use to romance people and lure them to give money or share sensitive information like a passport or banking information. In the case of the Swindler, he used money from other victims to fund his lavish lifestyle and move on to his next target. (Hint: if someone who wants to fly you on a private jet also asks you for $25,000, you should be suspicious!) 

The FBI also noted that cryptocurrency scams are at the top of the list of fraud schemes. 

According to USA Today, crypto scammers are posing as successful and savvy investors to their online matches, giving them advice on which cryptocurrencies to invest in. Typically, they ask their matches to send money to an “online wallet” that looks like an investment site, but then it goes straight to the scammer. The largest loss in 2021 came from cryptocurrency scams, totaling $139 million with an average loss of $9,770 per victim. 

Some scammers ask their dates to send them gift cards or wire money for their “investments,” and then the victims are ghosted and blocked so they can’t communicate.

Online daters have always been a target of scammers because romantic gestures remain an effective way of manipulating people. While most victims are older, a growing number of younger daters are falling for cryptocurrency scams. The FTC listed a few ways to protect yourself, including being more mindful if a date asks you to move to private messaging instead of communicating through a dating app.

The FTC also advised to beware of photos that look too polished, and to do a reverse-image search to see if they go by another name. Also, be wary of people who ask you for compromising photos or video which could later be used for blackmail. And under no circumstances should you give anyone a gift card, your financial information, or take investment advice from a match. If you are feeling uncertain, don’t do it!

If you feel you have been a victim of an online dating scam, in addition to reporting it to your app service, you can file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) or go to your local FBI or police precinct. You can also report crimes to the FTC.