Swipe Caution: Avoid Falling for Online Romance Scams
Online Dating Apps Exploited by Scammers: Experts Urge Caution and Awareness
The rise of online dating and matrimonial apps in India has led to an increase in cyber fraud cases related to these platforms. Scammers are using fake profiles, emotional manipulation, and investment traps to lure victims, resulting in significant financial losses.
Tactics Used by Scammers
- Creating fake profiles to build trust with targets
- Posing as doctors, army officers, or businesspeople to appear credible
- Manipulating victims emotionally, creating a false sense of urgency or crisis
- Demanding money for investments, emergencies, or other purposes
- Coercing victims into meeting in person, where they may be subjected to further exploitation
According to experts, “Cybercriminals rely heavily on social engineering tactics to exploit human emotions and trust, rather than technical hacking skills.”
Prevention Measures
- Filing complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- Providing detailed information about the incident, including chat records, screenshots, and bank transaction details
- Contacting the cyber helpline number 1930 in cases where money has already been transferred
- Verifying identities through video calls
- Avoiding sharing sensitive information with strangers
- Using only verified platforms
Cybersecurity specialists warn that identifying fake profiles has become increasingly difficult due to the use of advanced technologies by scammers, including artificial intelligence tools, deepfake images, and photo manipulation techniques.