The FBI has issued a warning to users of online dating platforms about a new scam involving fraudulent verification systems. These systems, masquerading as safety tools, are actually designed to steal personal information and enroll unsuspecting users into expensive, low-quality dating site subscriptions.
Scammers on dating apps create convincing fake profiles and quickly establish a rapport with users. They then suggest moving conversations to encrypted chat platforms for privacy. Under the pretext of security, they direct victims to a bogus website that offers a “free” verification process to protect against predators like sex offenders or serial killers.
The website may feature fake endorsements from reputable media outlets and use scare tactics to persuade users to sign up. However, the FBI warns that these are merely tactics to trick victims into paying monthly fees and providing personal details such as email addresses, phone numbers, and credit card information. This data is then used for identity theft or sold on the dark web.
Victims can lose thousands of dollars to these scams, which can sometimes escalate into “pig-butchering scams” where fraudsters build enough trust to convince victims to empty their bank accounts.
The FBI advises online daters to be wary of new matches who profess love quickly, ask for help, or use provocative content to attract attention. They emphasize the importance of cautious online interaction to protect against sophisticated scams that prey on social behaviors to defraud victims.
