Scammers often follow scripts. While they try to sound genuine, there are specific phrases and patterns that moderation teams look for. Here are eight concrete red flags to watch out for in your messages.
The eight red flags
Moving off the platform immediately.
Scammers want to get you away from the dating platform's security systems and moderation teams as quickly as possible.
I don't use this app much, let's move to WhatsApp or Telegram so we can chat better.
Overly formal or poetic language.
Many scammers use translation tools or copy-paste from scripts, resulting in language that sounds unnatural or overly dramatic for a casual dating app.
You are the queen of my heart, destiny has brought our souls together in this vast universe.
The overseas professional.
They often claim to have jobs that explain why they are far away, wealthy, and unable to meet in person (military, oil rig worker, engineer, doctor abroad).
I am a civil engineer currently working on a contract in Dubai, but I will be returning home next month.
The sudden tragedy.
They invent a crisis to create a sense of urgency and emotional pressure, leading to a request for money.
My daughter was just in a terrible accident and I cannot access my bank account from here to pay the hospital.
Unsolicited financial advice.
This is the start of a "pig butchering" or crypto investment scam, where romance is used purely as a hook for financial fraud.
I made $5,000 this week trading crypto, I can show you how my uncle's algorithm works if you want.
Refusal to video call.
They cannot video call because they do not look like the stolen photos they are using on their profile.
My camera is broken right now and the signal here at the base is too weak for video anyway.
Asking for gift cards.
Gift cards are untraceable and function like cash for scammers. A genuine match will never ask you for gift cards.
Can you buy an Apple gift card for me? I need it to unlock my phone so we can keep talking.
Inconsistent details.
Because scammers often work in teams, the person you are talking to today might not be the same person you were talking to yesterday.
They say they grew up in London but don't know basic landmarks, or their English suddenly gets much worse.
What to do if you spot these signs
If you notice one or more of these red flags, proceed with extreme caution. Do not send any money, personal information, or intimate photos.
You can use our free message checker tool to see if the text matches known scam scripts. If you are suspicious, report the profile to the dating platform and stop communicating with them. Report a scam
If you have lost money or need to report, see how to get help in your country. Get help in your country