The FBI is warning of a new scam targeting dating app. Scammers are promoting fake verification systems on online platforms dating, charging users for subscriptions.
Unlike romance scams that are often combined with investment fraud, these fake verification schemes rely on recurring monthly charges for the victim. Furthermore, data , including email addresses, phone numbers, names and credit card details, can be used for further scams or sold to other criminals.
How is fraud committed?
The scam is not complicated, but the gradual process of deception makes it very effective against unsuspecting users.
See also: How to recognize and avoid online scams
Scammers approach victims on a dating app or website and try to establish a romantic relationship. After gaining the victims' trust, they ask to move the conversation to another platform, which is supposedly more secure.
At this stage, the scammers send the victimthat takes them to a seemingly legitimate verification platform. There, the victim will have to verify that they are not a “sexual abuser.”
“ Under the guise of security, the scammer provides a link that directs the victim to a website that advertises a “free” verification process to protect against entering into a relationship with abusers, such as sex offenders or serial killers ,” the FBI PSA explains
The FBI explained that this website also displays various fake articles to add a sense of legitimacy and credibility.
“The verification website prompts the victim to provide information such as name, phone number, email address, and credit card number to complete the process.“.
See also: Fraudsters clone the voice of someone known to the victim to extort money
Once the verification process is complete, the victim is redirected to a low-quality dating website. From there, a monthly chargeto an unknown company appears on their credit card statement.
The above shows that dating app scams can have significant consequences for users. First, they can cause financial loss (as in this case with monthly subscriptions). Scammers often try to trick their victims into sending them money or revealing credit card information.
Furthermore, scams can cause significant psychological harm. As we said, they create false personal relationships with victims , which can lead to emotional distress when the scam is revealed.
Finally, dating app scams can lead to privacy violations. Scammers may use personal information obtained through the scam to commit further scams or sell the information to third parties.
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See also: 2023: Americans lost $1.1 billion to impersonation scams
To protect against fake verification systems, the FBI recommends the following measures:
- Only open attachments from known contacts and only after scanning them for viruses.
- Maintain communication on well-known dating sites, which offer some security.
- Stop communicating with suspicious profiles on dating sites and report it to the platform if you see anything strange.
- Be wary when someone expresses their love to you too quickly or asks for help (e.g. financial).
- Don't share personal or financial information with people you just met online.
- Regularly check financial accounts for unauthorized charges.
- Use a low-limit credit card or virtual cards for online subscriptions.
- Avoid sites that use scare tactics for registrations and verify the legitimacy of information sources.
Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
