Online dating has become a cultural cornerstone, connecting millions in search of love, companionship or just a spark. Yet, beneath this digital romance lies a growing threat: scammers who exploit these platforms for profit, leaving both users and dating app companies reeling. The financial toll of these fraudulent activities is staggering, and it’s hitting dating apps where it hurts most—their bottom line. This article explores how scammers are undermining the dating industry, backed by recent statistics, and proposes robust solutions involving identity verification, anti-fraud measures, and streamlined reporting to protect users and restore trust.
The Financial Fallout of Scams on Dating Apps
Romance scams have surged in recent years, with scammers crafting fake profiles to prey on unsuspecting users. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing a jaw-dropping $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022 alone, with over 70,000 victims identified (FTC, “Romance scams + online dating statistics,” us.norton.com, 2024). While not all these losses stem directly from dating apps—many originate on social media—these platforms remain a prime hunting ground. The FTC notes that in the first six months of 2023, half of those who reported financial losses to romance scams said the fraud began on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat, but dating apps like Tinder, Match.com, and Bumble are frequently implicated as well (FTC, “Social media: a golden goose for scammers,” 2023).
For dating apps, the impact is twofold. First, there’s the direct loss of revenue when scammed users abandon the platform, cancel subscriptions, or demand refunds. A 2022 FTC lawsuit against Match Group, Inc. (owner of Match.com, Tinder, and others) alleged that the company knowingly allowed scammers to lure users into paid subscriptions with fake “love interest” ads, exposing consumers to fraud and eroding trust (FTC, “FTC Sues Owner of Online Dating Service Match.com,” 2019). Second, the reputational damage drives away potential subscribers. When as many as 25-30% of daily registrants on Match.com were found to be scammers between 2013 and 2016, per the FTC complaint, it’s clear that fake accounts aren’t just a nuisance—they’re a systemic threat to profitability.
The numbers paint a grim picture. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) estimated that 500,000 of the 3.5 million online dating profiles in 2018 were fraudulent—roughly 14% (BBB, “Online-dating fraud attacks up sharply,” timesrecordnews.com, 2020). Fast forward to 2025, and with online dating usage still climbing (Tinder alone hit over 3 billion swipes in a single day in March 2020), the proportion of fake accounts likely hasn’t shrunk. Each scam erodes user confidence, reduces retention rates, and increases operational costs as companies scramble to address complaints and legal challenges.
The Scammer’s Playbook
Scammers thrive on dating apps by exploiting lax verification and anonymity. They create fake profiles using stolen photos, often posing as military personnel, oil rig workers, or widowers with sob stories to build trust. The FTC reports that in 2021, cryptocurrency losses to romance scams hit $139 million, with median individual losses at $9,770—evidence of how lucrative these schemes have become (FTC, “Reports of romance scams hit record highs in 2021,” 2022). Once trust is secured, scammers pivot to requests for money, gift cards, or even turning victims into unwitting “money mules” for laundering stolen funds.
This not only drains users’ wallets but also burdens dating apps with refund disputes, fraud investigations, and potential lawsuits. The ripple effect? Higher customer acquisition costs and a shrinking subscriber base as word spreads about the risks.
Solutions: Identity Verification and Beyond
To reclaim their bottom line and protect users, dating apps must adopt aggressive anti-fraud measures. Here’s a multi-pronged approach:
1. Certified Identity Verification
Provide certification for all users to submit a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) during account creation. Advanced identity verification tools, like those offered by companies such as Shufti Pro, CLEAR, Persona, can cross-check IDs against global databases to ensure authenticity, flagging stolen or doctored documents. This step, while adding friction to onboarding, drastically reduces fake accounts. As Shufti Pro notes, such measures “automatically eliminate any chances of romance scammers getting access” by ensuring only real people join (Shufti Pro, “An Insight into Online Dating Scams,” 2022).
2. Behavioral Analysis and AI Screening
Pair ID verification with AI-driven behavioral analysis. Algorithms can flag suspicious activity—like rapid messaging across multiple users, repetitive sob stories, or profiles with stolen stock images detected via reverse image search. Seeking Arrangement, for instance, deletes over 200 fraudulent accounts daily by monitoring patterns (EarthWeb, “40+ Scam Statistics 2025,” 2025). Scaling this across platforms could preempt scams before they escalate.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Mandate 2FA tied to a verified phone number or email. This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for scammers to hijack accounts or create disposable profiles using temporary emails.
4. User Education and Transparency
Embed in-app warnings about common scam tactics (e.g., “Beware of users who refuse to meet in person or ask for money”). Provide a clear “Trust Score” for profiles based on verification level and activity history, empowering users to make informed choices.
Streamlined Reporting to Platforms and the FTC
Even with robust prevention, some scammers will slip through. Dating apps need a seamless reporting system to catch and ban them quickly while aiding law enforcement. Here’s how:
– In-App Reporting Button
Add a prominent “Report Scam” button on every profile and chat. Users should be able to flag accounts with a single click, selecting options like “Requested Money,” “Suspicious Story,” or “Fake Identity.” The platform should immediately suspend flagged accounts pending review and notify the user of the outcome.
– One-Click FTC Reporting
Integrate a feature that, with user consent, sends all relevant data—chat logs, profile details, and transaction records—directly to the FTC’s fraud portal (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) via a single click. This simplifies reporting, which many victims skip due to embarrassment or complexity, and equips the FTC with actionable evidence such as communications that the user consents to releasing. In 2022, only a fraction of the estimated tens of thousands of romance scam victims reported to the FTC (FTC, “Faking it — scammers’ tricks,” 2015), underscoring the need for frictionless tools.
– Post-Report Support
After reporting, offer users resources—links to FTC recovery guides, contact info for banks to freeze transactions, and emotional support hotlines. This not only aids victims but also rebuilds trust in the platform.
The Path Forward
Online scammers aren’t just breaking hearts—they’re breaking dating apps’ financial models. With losses mounting and trust waning, the industry can’t afford to treat fake accounts as a cost of doing business. By implementing stringent identity verification, leveraging AI, and streamlining reporting to both platforms and the FTC, dating apps can turn the tide. The cost of these measures pales in comparison to the billions lost to fraud and the untold damage to brand loyalty.
As of March 11, 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. The FTC’s latest data underscores that scammers adapt quickly—cryptocurrency scams are up, and social media crossover is rampant. Dating apps must act decisively to protect their users and their profits. Love may be a gamble, but it shouldn’t be a scam.