- Stolen photos. Scammers rarely show their faces. They prefer to hide behind stolen pictures or, sometimes, they use attractive celebrity pics to make you fall for them!
- Too-Good-To-Be-True Descriptions. Scammers often create attractive profiles; they may claim to have prestigious jobs, high incomes, or an exceptionally charming personality.
- Inconsistent information. They will try to lure you with emotional or intriguing stories, but you might feel the information doesn’t add up. Inconsistency is a red flag on dating apps!
- They rush to make a connection. Scammers often declare deep feelings unusually quickly.
- They can’t meet you in person or make a video call. Some scammers will come up with the most ridiculous excuses why they can’t video chat with you, and they are very, very far away from you to meet in person. Common scam scenarios include serving in the army, working on an oil rig, or traveling.
- Awkward communication. Scammers can write with typos, sometimes gibberish, or in CAPITAL LETTERS. If it’s an international scam, they also can write in a foreign language or use slang words (typical for cybercriminals from Nigeria and Ghana).
- They will ask you for the money and tell you how to pay. The main red flag: they start asking for gifts or money, citing various emergencies, debts, or travel expenses.
- They want to move off the dating app. Scammers will ask you for your contact information to continue the conversation somewhere where you can’t report their profile.
- Playing on sympathy. They often tell tear-jerking stories to convince you they are in need and require financial support.
- They create a sense of urgency. Scammers will want you to act quickly and send money without thinking.
- Gaslighting. Scammers can get abusive or angry if you question their behavior or refuse to send money.
- Never send money or gifts.
- Keep sensitive information private.
- Use Flure’s in-app messenger.
- Do your research, check the information, and be skeptical.
- Report suspicious profiles.
- Stop communication: Immediately cease all communication with the scammer.
- Report to authorities: Report the incident to your local law enforcement.
- Contact your bank to report the scam. Ask them to stop any transactions. Change passwords on all your devices and online accounts like banking and email.
- Inform the dating app about the scammer so they can take appropriate action.