Online Dating and Romance Scams: How to Spot Fake Dating Sites and Stay Safe?

Stacey Laura Lloyd

October 4, 2025

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Hey there, online dating opens doors to new connections and maybe even love. But scams lurk in the shadows, ready to trick you. This guide breaks down the risks, shares tips to dodge fakes, and points you to safe spots. Read on to date smart and keep your heart—and wallet—protected.

What Are Online Dating Scams?

Online dating is a popular way for you to find beauty to share moments and feelings online. However, unfortunately, you must be aware of online dating scams that are very common on some international dating websites. These scams involve fooling users into thinking they are chatting with a real soulmate when in reality, they are talking to a scammer or a bot.

There is no point in denying that we have encountered a few cases of this scam on our journey to analyzing online dating apps. As you can see, this is a serious issue that needs attention as military romance scams and intimate activity scams are very popular and common. In an online dating scam, a romance scammer pretends to have genuine feelings for you. Romance scammers might ask for help with a problem that involves their bank account or simply ask for some financial assistance. This is the most common form of getting scammed. Furthermore, an online dating scammer uses both dating sites and dating apps.

There are also online dating site scams where the entire site is fake. These fake online dating sites promise you a dream date, but they only want to take your money. Remember, avoiding these dating scams and romance scams is vital for your personal and financial safety. And you can avoid getting your dreams crushed and heartbroken! Moreover, as mentioned above, it is our goal here to help you learn where to find a safe place for you to find your dream woman or date. We are working diligently to root out these dating site scams and create a safer space for love.

Numbers That Hit Hard: Dating and Scam Stats

Online dating booms, but so do the scams that tag along. Check these key figures to see the big picture:

• Worldwide, 364 million people use dating apps as of 2025.
• In the US, about 80 million folks—or 30% of adults—turn to dating sites or apps.
• Nearly half of Americans (45%) say apps top the list for meeting dates.
• Over 50% of engaged couples in 2025 met through apps, up from 39% in 2017.
• The FTC saw 64,003 romance scam reports in 2023, with losses at $1.14 billion.
• FBI got over 17,000 complaints about romance scams in 2023.
• Adults over 60 lost $389 million to these scams in 2024 alone.

These stats show the fun side grows fast, but scams hit harder each year.

Types of Online Dating Fraud

As mentioned above, online communication offers many chances to meet a special girl, but it is also a dangerous place with many scams. You might wonder how online dating scams work. And in this section, we are going to discuss the most common report online dating scams!

Firstly, there is a scam where a woman you met while dating online may ask you to send money. The woman is real, but she is a fraudster. She could tell a tear-jerking story or claim they need help. One can say this is a form of financial fraud and it is a big warning sign. Never send money to girls you find on a dating app!

Secondly, there are scams on social media sites or simply involving some chats on platforms. A woman might send you a link that seems harmless. But, if you click, it could lead to malware scams or identity theft. Use only platforms that you are sure of and don’t click on any links in chat.

Moreover, there are scam dating sites, where the whole website is a scam. Most of the time, there are best dating websites that have some fake accounts that the administration cannot get rid of in time. But sometimes, you may find a platform that is purely fake. Always be cautious when you meet someone new online. If possible, meet in person or have a video chat to confirm the identity of your online date.

What Are Common Examples of Romance Scams?

The most common example of a romance scam is for a woman to just ask you to send her gifts and expensive presents. The girl will continue chatting with you as long as you send her something valuable. And if the entire site that you are using is fake, then there is no woman, and the owner of the site is just getting your money by using virtual services.

Warning Signs: Fake Profiles and Scam Clues

Spot trouble early to skip the heartbreak. Scammers play games, but these red flags wave loud and clear:

• They claim to live or work abroad, like on an oil rig or in the military.
• They seem much younger than you and rush to say “I love you” after days or weeks.
• They dodge video calls or in-person meets with excuses like “something came up.”
• They ask for money, gifts, or help with “emergencies” like medical bills or travel.
• Their profile uses stock photos or details that don’t match up—check with reverse image search.
• They push you off the app to email or text fast, away from site protections.
• Their stories flip-flop, or they know too much about you from public posts.

Trust your gut if it feels off—these signs often pop up together.

How to Protect Yourself from Scams?

To protect yourself from scams, it is essential to choose trusted online platforms. Avoid dating sites that have been involved in scams before, and to learn that, you need to properly research the dating websites you want to use. Look for warning signs like photo scams, money laundering, fake identity, or inheritance scams. Use reliable sites with good reputations to find your date.

Avoid Sending Money

The most important rule in online dating is not to send anything to your girls. If your online suitor asks for financial help, it might be a scam, and you don’t want to become a money mule. As mentioned above, scammers often weave sad tales to ask for money.

Be Careful of Links

An online date might send you a link, urging you to click. This could be a trap, leading you to a scam. Even if the site that you are using is real and effective, it cannot control all the communication occurring among thousands of users. It is better not to follow links sent by your online date.

Pick Smart: Real Dating Sites and Apps

Not all sites spell trouble. Go for ones that check out with these tips to find the good ones:

1. Decide on mainstream or niche: Mainstream options offer big user pools for more matches, while niche ones target specific groups for better fits.
2. Pick paid or free: Paid sites draw serious users and cut down on scammers, but free ones give wider access—test both to see what works.
3. Read reviews: Check independent review spots for user stories on pros, cons, and scam alerts to spot solid choices.
4. Match your aims: Go for sites geared toward long-term ties if that’s your goal, or ones for casual links—pick based on their setup.
5. Look for safety tools: Seek out user checks, privacy controls, and quick ways to report issues or block bad actors.
6. Check match systems: Some use mutual likes to start chats and avoid spam, others let you search and message direct—choose what suits you.
7. Test a few: Sign up, try them out, and stick with ones that have active locals and feel right for you.

How to Report a Dating Scammer?

If you believe that you have been targeted by a scam, contact immediately the customer service. They should quickly act to block the user and make all the necessary adjustments. If you got scammed, it might be impossible to recover money, but you can help stop the scammer from victimizing others. You can also share your feedback on sites like this, where you can write something about platforms that you have used in the past. Whether it was a positive or negative experience, you can be sure that telling about common online dating scams from the first perspective is usually a great thing for newcomers in the world of online dating, as they could see how to avoid the most common mistakes of an international long distance relationship!

Fight Back: Report Scams and Get Help

If a scam hits you, act fast to stop it and maybe claw back cash. Start with the site or app—hit up their support to block the user. Then take it higher.

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; they track trends and warn others. For bigger cases, file with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov—they handle cyber fraud. If money’s gone, tell your bank or payment service right away for fraud alerts. Local police can log it too, especially if threats pop up. For international twists, try ICE at 866-347-2423. Recovery’s tough, but reports help bust rings and protect folks.

Wrap It Up: Date Safe and Smart

Online dating packs thrills and opens doors to real connections, but scams can sour it quick and leave you wary. Arm yourself with these tips to stay sharp, spot the fakes before they hook you, and pick solid sites that put safety first. Report bad actors right away to keep the space clean and help shield others from the same traps. Stay alert, have fun out there, and who knows—you might just find the real deal without the drama.

Stacey Laura Lloyd