Phishing scams are not just found in email solicitations. They are prevalent in dating sites where scammers work to steal personal information, financial details, or other sensitive data from users. These scams often exploit the trust and emotional connection established through online dating. Here are some examples of how phishing scams typically work on dating sites:

Establishing Trust by:

1. Creating Fake Profiles:

• Scammers create attractive or compelling fake profiles, using stolen or counterfeit photos and fabricated details to lure victims.
• These profiles may appear as highly desirable matches, often portraying someone perfect to gain attention quickly for the target’s preferences.

2. Establishing Contact and Trust:

• The scammer will start chatting with the target, often building a relationship rapidly by expressing a solid emotional connection, admiration, or love.
• Scammers may attempt to move the conversation of the dating platform to email, instant messaging apps, or phone calls, where security measures are weaker, and the scammer can control the narrative.

3. Engaging in Emotional Manipulation:

• Scammers often share fabricated life stories that affect the victim’s emotions. For example, they may claim to be in distress, traveling, or in a difficult personal situation (e.g., military service or working abroad).
• They build trust by sharing fake personal details or stories to make themselves seem more credible.

Capturing Sensitive Information

4. Phishing for Sensitive Information:

• Once trust is established, the scammer may send links, asking the victim to “verify their identity” or “sign up” for a service, which redirects the victim to a fake website that looks legitimate.
• These websites ask the victim to input sensitive information like email passwords, credit card details, or bank account information.
• Some phishing sites might ask for login credentials to the dating platform itself, potentially taking over the victim’s account for further scams.

5. Requests for Money:

• Another common tactic is asking for financial help under pretences, such as needing money to pay for medical expenses, travel to meet the victim or resolve an emergency.
• Scammers may use phishing emails disguised as messages from a dating site or a financial service to trick the victim into transferring money.

6. Malware and Fake Links:

• Some phishing scams involve sending the victim malicious links or attachments, which, when clicked or downloaded, install malware onto the victim’s device. This malware could then steal personal information, track keystrokes, or take over the device remotely.

7. Using Stolen Information for Further Fraud:

• If the scammer successfully gathers personal information, they may use it for identity theft, draining bank accounts, or committing other forms of fraud. They might even sell the information to other cybercriminals.

8. Fake Verifications and Account Takeovers:

• Some phishing scams involve tricking users into giving away login credentials through fake account verification emails or messages. The scammer can then take over the user’s dating profile and use it for further scams or to target the victim’s connections.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams on Dating Sites:

• Never click on suspicious links or download attachments from people you don’t know well.
• Verify profiles carefully: Do reverse image searches to check if photos are stolen, and be cautious of profiles that seem too good to be true.
• Keep the conversation on the dating platform: Scammers often try to move off-platform to unmonitored chat apps.
• Be wary of personal or financial information requests: Legitimate dating partners will never ask for passwords or personal details.
• Avoid sending money: Never send money or financial details, even if the person seems trustworthy or claims to have an emergency.

Users can protect themselves from becoming victims by being cautious and recognizing the warning signs of phishing scams.