Dating Apps: The New Frontier for Crypto Scams

1. Introduction

In the digital age, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are no longer just platforms for finding love. They've also become a hotbed for sophisticated scams—especially those blending romance and crypto investment fraud. Scammers prey on emotional vulnerability and the human need for connection to slowly lure victims into financial traps.

2. The Story Of Niki

Niki Hutchinson, a 24-year-old woman from California, became a cautionary tale. After meeting a man on a dating app, she was quickly drawn in by his charm, consistency, and emotional support. Within a few weeks, he introduced her to a “high-return investment opportunity” in a new crypto platform.

Trusting the man she believed she was building a relationship with, Niki eventually invested her entire inheritance—over $300,000. When she couldn’t withdraw her money and the man disappeared, she realized she had been scammed.

3. The "Pig Butchering" Romance Scam

This scam tactic is commonly known as “pig butchering”, originating from China. The scammer spends weeks or months “fattening up” the victim—building trust, offering emotional support, and pretending to be the ideal partner.

Once the bond is strong, the scammer shifts the conversation to investment. They slowly introduce the idea of getting into crypto, forex, or fake trading platforms that promise high returns with “zero risk.” These scams target the heart and wallet—making them especially dangerous.

4. A New Type Of Target

Unlike traditional scams that target the elderly or less tech-savvy, these new schemes often target young, educated women who are financially stable and active on dating apps. Scammers take advantage of platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, which lack strict identity verification systems and make it easy to build rapport quickly.

The victims are often professionals looking for meaningful connections and are unaware they’re being groomed for financial exploitation.

5. Warnings From Cybersecurity Experts

Cybersecurity professionals report a sharp rise in scams that blend romance with crypto investment. The combination of increased crypto interest and pandemic-related isolation has made users more vulnerable to emotional manipulation.

According to FBI reports, romance-related investment scams have cost victims hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years, with many cases going unreported due to shame or lack of awareness.

6. How To Protect Yourself

To avoid falling for such scams, consider the following:

• Be cautious of investment suggestions from people you’ve just met online—especially on dating platforms.

• Never send money or share personal or financial information with someone you haven’t met in person.

• Use dating apps that offer identity verification and strong privacy controls. Report any suspicious behavior or requests involving money.

• Do your research on any trading platform mentioned. Verify its legitimacy, check domain names, and look for proper licensing.

• If something feels off, document your conversations and report the incident to local authorities and cybersecurity hotlines.