Swipe Smart: Tinder’s Most Common Scams Exposed (And How To Avoid Them)

Are you swiping for love or falling into a scammer’s trap? Here’s a guide exposing the most common scams plaguing Tinder, from fake profiles and catfishing to insidious financial schemes

Finding love has taken on a new form through online dating platforms like Tinder. 

While these apps have revolutionized the way we connect, they have also opened the door to a new breed of scams. For those seeking genuine connections, the allure of potential romance can sometimes blind them to the risks lurking behind each swipe.

Trevor Cooke, Privacy Expert at EarthWeb, explains the devastating impact of these scams and how to navigate the online dating world safely.

Catfishing and Romance Scams

Catfishing, or the act of creating a false online persona to deceive others, is a well-known scam on dating platforms like Tinder. 

These scammers often build emotional connections with their victims, only to eventually request money or valuable information.

“It’s not unusual for scammers to spend months building trust and affection, only to eventually claim they need money for an emergency,” Trevor explains.

The 2022 Netflix documentary “The Tinder Swindler” chronicles the story of Shimon Hayut, an Israeli conman who used the dating app Tinder to catfish, emotionally manipulate, and defraud multiple women out of millions of dollars.

Shayut would often present himself as the son of a wealthy Russian-Israeli diamond mogul and charm women with lavish gifts and trips on private jets. He would then claim he was being targeted by “enemies” and needed money for his security, convincing his victims to take out loans and open credit cards to financially support his extravagant lifestyle under the guise of helping him.

It is estimated that Shayut swindled around $10 million from people across the world through this deceptive Ponzi scheme-like operation. 

To protect yourself from such scams, Trevor advises being cautious of anyone who tries to move the conversation off the dating platform too quickly or requests personal information early on.

Sugaring Scams

Sugaring, or the practice of wealthy individuals providing financial support to younger companions, has become a target for scammers on Tinder. 

These scammers often pose as wealthy individuals seeking a “sugar baby” relationship, only to exploit their victims financially.

Last January, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned people against such schemes. One victim told the agency: ‘I believed that these checks were legit and the funds were real. I ended up just sending my own personal money to these contacts… Which ended up costing me $19,500.’

‘Legitimate sugar relationships involve open communication and mutual agreement,’ Trevor explains. ‘If someone promises lavish gifts or allowances without meeting in person or establishing clear boundaries, it’s likely a scam.’

Fake or Bot Profiles

One of the most prevalent scams on Tinder involves fake or bot profiles. 

These profiles are often created using stolen images and fabricated information, designed to lure unsuspecting users into engaging with them. 

‘Bots are programmed to initiate conversations and build rapport, ultimately leading to requests for personal information or financial gain,’ explains Trevor.

To avoid falling victim to this scam, he advises users to be wary of profiles with limited or generic information, and to reverse image search any profile pictures that seem too good to be true. 

“If the same image of the person you are talking to on Tinder appears on several profiles or websites, then it’s most likely a stolen picture,” Trevor warns.

Two-Factor Authentication Scams

Another common scam on Tinder involves exploiting the platform’s two-factor authentication (2FA) process. 

In this scam, the perpetrator convinces the victim to share their 2FA code, allowing the scammer to gain access to the victim’s account.

‘Tinder will never ask you to share your 2FA code with anyone,’ Trevor emphasizes. ‘If someone claims to be from Tinder and requests this information, it’s a clear red flag.’

Tinder Promoter Scams

In this scam, individuals claim to be Tinder promoters or ambassadors, offering users the opportunity to earn money or receive free premium features by promoting the app or participating in surveys. 

However, these offers are often fraudulent and designed to extract personal information or money from unsuspecting victims.

‘Tinder does not employ promoters or ambassadors in this capacity,’ Trevor warns. ‘Any unsolicited offers claiming to be from Tinder should be treated with extreme caution.’

‘As the online dating landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial for users to remain vigilant and prioritize their safety,’ says Trevor.

He adds: ‘Navigate the world of online dating with confidence using these tips so you can protect yourself from potential harm.’

About EarthWeb

EarthWeb helps you discover the best research guides and resources for tech and online privacy. Their mission is to help you simplify processes and make informed buying decisions. Trevor Cooke is the online privacy expert at EarthWeb. His personal mission is to help keep consumers safe by keeping them informed of privacy tips and common online scams. 

Methodology

The BBB warning against sugaring scam was taken from here: https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/24089-bbb-scam-alert-romance-scam-dupes-daters-with-the-promise-of-a-sugar-momma

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