Online dating services have become increasingly popular in recent years, according to a survey by GlobalWebindex. Acceptance rates for these services reach 45% in Latin America, 46% in the Asia-Pacific region, and 29% in the US and Europe, while over 40% of singles have used a corresponding app or site in the last month, according to the survey.
Of the dozens of apps operating worldwide, the two most popular are Tinder and Happn, counting over 50 million registered users each.
With such great potential, these services could not fail to be targeted by cybercriminals, who exploit them to launch malicious scams on unsuspecting users.
As ESET researchers explain , in most cases, cybercriminals study the profiles of their victims and collect personal information, such as professional activity, income or lifestyle, etc. Based on the profile they have formed, they also use the most suitable method of targeting the victim.
One of the most common methods is for the cybercriminal to emotionally manipulate their victim into sending them money, gifts, or personal information.
Another common form of deception is the so-called "sextortion", which starts as a normal relationship between two people, who are starting to get to know each other, until the scammer tries to take the conversation elsewhere, e.g. to WhatsApp. Here, he will try to convince the victim to send daring photos or videos, to then use this material to blackmail the victim.
Another scam is "catfishing," in which the fraudster presents an image different from their real one, tricking the victim into engaging in a relationship based on a fictitious profile.
As ESET reports, this is an issue of huge proportions globally. In Australia in 2018, there were 3,981 cases of online dating fraud via social networks, apps or websites, resulting in losses of over 24 million US dollars.
In the UK in 2017, according to the National Fraud Intelligence Office, a case of online dating fraud was reported every three hours. According to more recent figures from Action Fraud, more than 4,500 reports of online fraud were made in 2018, with 63% of victims estimated to be women, the BBC reports.
ESET reminds users of online dating services that anyone can fall victim to a scam, so it would be a good idea to keep the following tips in mind:
- Check for any inconsistent or inconsistent behaviors. If you spot any, be cautious.
- There is a chance that the person you have met, after some time (weeks or months), will tell you an elaborate story and ask you for money, a gift or something similar. Remember that we never send money to someone we met online before meeting them in person.
- Be suspicious of someone who always finds an excuse not to meet in person.
- Never share with someone you don't know well, material and information that could embarrass you if made public, such as photos or videos.
If you decide to meet someone you met online, make sure you arrange to meet in a safe, public place.
