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If you’re using dating apps in hopes of swiping right on someone who will steal your heart, watch out: Scammers are increasingly using dating apps to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that losses from romance scams spiked 80% in 2021 over 2020.
Netflix’s recent hit “The Tinder Swindler” tells the story of one of these infamous alleged scammers: Shimon Hayut, who claimed his name was Simon Leviev and that he was heir to a diamond fortune. Hayut, 31, allegedly stole $10 million from multiple women , though he maintains his innocence.
Some other recent dating scams:
- A 33-year-old woman lost most of her life’s savings after a Hinge match persuaded her to send him more than $300,000 worth of Bitcoin. The scammer promised the victim they’d use the money to marry and start their lives together. Authorities say cryptocurrency scams are becoming more common in virtual dating.
- A Florida woman was scammed out of over $100,000 by someone she matched with on OKCupid. The match claimed to be a widowed father of a young son. The woman wired the money using Western Union and MoneyGram after the match said his credit cards weren’t working while he was traveling internationally for business. She later learned she’d sent her money to a criminal gang in Nigeria.
- A 77-year-old man sent more than $600,000 to a couple working with a ring of scammers in Ghana. He thought he had connected with a widow in her 30s on a dating website.
Wondering if your latest match could be the next Tinder Swindler? Read on to learn the warning signs so that you can protect your money (and your heart) from con artists.
6 Signs Your Date Could Be a Tinder Swindler
While scammers commonly target victims on dating apps and websites, romance scams are also common on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. So it’s essential to be vigilant whenever someone captures your interest online. Here’s what to look out…
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