The search for a life partner leads many people to platforms like Parship, Elitepartner, or Tinder. However, various dangers lurk here, especially with dating agencies and singles exchanges. Membership contracts can be expensive, and fake flirtations with scammers specifically asking for money are not uncommon.
Online dating – a feast for scammers
How do the scammers operate? They use fake profiles and try to build trust quickly. The supposed prince or poor Cinderella plays with the victim’s feelings, feigning true love . Romantic declarations of love and sentimental stories are part of their strategy before they ask for money. Whether it’s to fly to Belgium, to pay for a visa, or a sister, brother, or uncle is ill and the victim urgently needs medication … the romance scammers ‘ imaginations are seemingly limitless. The victims are deceived with promises, and after payment, the supposed dream partner disappears into thin air.
To protect yourself from these schemes, we recommend taking a few important steps. First, carefully review each profile, especially using Google’s reverse image search to identify potential fakes.
Dating platforms promise love, sex, and romance, which entices users to generously share their data or send money—after all, they want to help. However, alarm bells should ring if your conversation partner tells particularly touching stories—especially if they ask you for money!
Personal information and payment details should never be disclosed. If this has already happened and you become suspicious, please notify your bank and the police immediately.
Platforms are not always reputable
The Dutch European Consumer Centre recently warned against trial subscriptions to foreign dating websites. There were many problems, particularly with subscriptions to platforms in countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, and Ireland. After the trial period, a paid subscription is often automatically created without the consumer’s consent. This does not comply with the opt-in process that such offers must adhere to by law.
(Opt-in: You confirm that you agree to the offer by explicitly checking checkboxes or receiving confirmation emails. The program’s default settings are set to “disagree.” In contrast, there is an opt-out: Here, you must first deselect your consent; no response is also considered tacit consent. The default setting declares you agree to everything.)
In addition, when concluding a contract, the consumer must clearly understand the terms and conditions such as price (and that there is one at all!), subscription duration and cancellation periods, otherwise the subscription is invalid.
Furthermore, you have a 14-day cooling-off period. You can cancel your subscription within this period without giving any reason. This must also be stated on the website.
Even if the consumer simply doesn’t pay, letters from debt collection agencies or lawyers may arrive. However, if the dating platform hasn’t complied with the legal rules mentioned above, notify the debt collection agency in writing and keep the money with you.
Tips:
- A healthy dose of suspicion and caution is called for. Protect your heart and your wallet.
- Check your online contact’s profile pictures using Google reverse image search.
- Under no circumstances should you send any money, even small amounts. This will give the fraudster your payment details.
- If you suspect fraud, immediately break off contact. Gather all relevant information and report the incident to the police and your bank.
- In the case of unintentional subscription contracts, check whether the dating portal complies with its rules. If it doesn’t, don’t pay (inform the debt collection agency of the reason in writing ). A 14-day cancellation period also applies.
is an American author, blogger, and cybersecurity specialist based in Florida. He developed an interest in writing during his school years, which later led him to create content aimed at raising awareness about various forms of online scams, particularly in the world of online dating.
On his platform, Scam Service Report, Hall shares analytical articles and practical advice to help users recognize and avoid traps set by scammers on dating websites. He describes common scam scenarios in detail—such as quick declarations of love, urgent requests for money transfers, refusal to engage in video chats, and attempts to move conversations off the dating platform.
