A UK watchdog has warned that dating cons and dodgy apps are among the most common scams in the country.
Which? The consumer group said it had received more than 1,000 reports of dating scams in the past year, with victims losing an average of £1,500 each.
The scams typically involve scammers creating fake profiles on dating websites and apps and then using these profiles to build relationships with victims. Once they have gained the victim’s trust, the scammers will ask for money for various reasons, such as travel expenses, medical bills, or business investments.
This has urged potential victims to be wary of anyone who asks for money too soon and continuously to check the identity of someone they meet online before sending them any money.
The watchdog has also warned about the dangers of dodgy apps, often designed to steal personal information from users. These apps may seem legitimate, but they may be used to track your location, access your contacts, or even take control of your phone.
Dating cons and dodgy apps are among the most common scams in the UK, according to the consumer group Which?. In 2022, people lost £135 million to scams, with dating cons accounting for £39 million.
The scammers typically target people who are looking for love online.
They will create a fake profile, often using pictures of someone else, and quickly start building a relationship with their victim. Once they have gained the victim’s trust, they will ask for money for various reasons, such as to pay for a trip, help a sick relative, or invest in a business opportunity.
In addition to dating cons, Which? Also, it warned about the dangers of dodgy apps. These apps are designed to steal personal data or money from users. They often look like legitimate apps, but they are scams.
To avoid falling victim to a scam, which? It advised people to download apps from trusted sources like Apple App Store or Google Play Store. They have also urged people to read the app’s reviews before downloading it and to be wary of any app that asks for too much personal information.
If you are a victim of fraud, inform the police and relevant authorities. You must contact them to report bank or credit card fraud company and cancel your card.
Avoid dating scams with these tips:
- Beware of anyone who asks for money slowly.
- Check the person’s profile carefully before agreeing to meet them.
- Only use reputable dating apps with reasonable security measures in place.
- Be careful what information you share online.
- If you are a victim of fraud, report it to the police and relevant authorities.
Tips for avoiding dodgy apps include:
- Download apps from trusted sources, Such as Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Read the app’s reviews before downloading it.
- Be careful not to ask for any app too much personal information.
- Contact the app’s developer or the relevant authorities if you need clarification on an app.
Here are some examples of dating scams:
- The “pig butchering” scam: In this scam, the scammer will build a relationship with their victim and then ask for money for a variety of reasons, such as to pay for a trip, to help a sick relative, or to invest in a business opportunity.
- The “romance scam”: The scammer will create a fake profile and pose as someone they are not. They will then use this phoney profile to build a relationship with their victim and ask for money for various reasons.
- The “investment scam”: In this scam, the scammer will offer their victim an investment opportunity that sounds too good to be true. The scammer will then use this investment opportunity to steal the victim’s money.
Reporting a dating scam to the police and relevant authorities is essential if you believe you are a victim. You must report fraud and cancel your credit card with your bank or company.
