As dating apps and social networking sites grow in popularity, so do online scams. The FTC reported that romance scam losses increased in 2025, totaling $1.48 million, with victims losing an average of $2,020 each.
While online dating can still be a great way to meet people, it’s important to recognize and avoid potential scams.
What are romance scams?
A romance scam, also known as an online dating scam, occurs when criminals use fake or stolen online identities to create a fake persona. They build trust and emotional connections with victims through dating apps or social media with the intent of stealing money or personal information.
These are common trends seen among scam artists:
- Using social media as a targeting tool. Scammers target specific victims by accessing basic personal information, such as their friends, where they live, where they work and their hobbies, to quickly reel in victims.
- Pretending to be someone you know. A common trend among romance scammers is disguising themselves as former classmates, friends, or acquaintances using stolen or compromised profiles.
- Targeting vulnerable individuals. Widows and others experiencing loss are often targeted during periods of grief or loneliness because they might welcome the scammers friendliness and attention.
- Avoid meeting in person. Through the course of the online “relationship,” they make excuses to prevent meeting face-to-face or on video calls.
- Asking for or sending money. Common methods for scammers to ask for money include gift cards, wire transfers, Venmo, Cash App, or fake checks and payments.
- Involved in careers or projects outside of the country. Many claim they are in the military, construction, or international projects to explain why they cannot meet and why they need financial help.
Deepfakes using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are continuing to evolve. Using AI technology, scammers create convincing false personas by using face-swap tools and AI-altered photos. This makes scams harder to detect and fake personas easier to believe. Deepfakes often follow scripted conversations and may show limited or unnatural movement during video calls.
