With the increase in the number of users on dating platforms, the current scenario reveals the risks involved, as scammers are also exploiting people’s search for love and companionship to carry out sophisticated romantic scams.
A new study by Norton, the cybersecurity brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), conducted with Brazilians, provides an overview of user habits and the risks of digital love. According to the survey, nearly four out of ten (37%) Brazilians are currently using a dating app and many spend an average of almost 9 hours (8.69) per week on these apps. Among those using dating apps, one in five Brazilians (21%) claim to have been targeted by a scam.
Iskander Sanchez-Rola, Innovation Director at Norton explains that romantic scams are also known as online dating scams. “This type of scam occurs when a person is deceived into believing they are in a romantic relationship with someone they met online, but in reality, their other half is a cybercriminal. In this case, they use a false identity to gain enough trust from the victim and ask for their personal information or money. This way, the cybercriminal can carry out scams or obtain financial benefits,” he warns.
Among the Brazilians (21%) who reported being targeted by cybercriminals, 85% fell victim to a scam, with the most prevalent being:
- 41% of Brazilians have been victims of romantic scams. A romantic scam is when a person is deceived into thinking they are in a relationship with someone they met online, when in reality, it is a scammer using a false identity to gain the victim’s trust and ask for money.
- 29% of Brazilians have been victims of Catfishing. This is when the scammer pretends to be someone else online, using photos and information about them or a fictional identity. In some cases, the catfishers can steal someone’s identity, including their name, photos, and birthday data.
- 27% of Brazilians have been victims of Sugar Daddy / Sugar Baby scams. In this type of romantic scam, the scammer pretends to be a wealthy individual who wants to send money to a younger person in exchange for online companionship. After gaining their trust, the cybercriminal asks for an initial fee or personal information before sending their allowance.
- 23% of Brazilians fell victim to photo scams. Scammers aim to convince their target to send personal information in exchange for intimate photos.
- 16% of Brazilians fell victim to fake dating sites. These are fraudulent dating sites claiming to be legitimate but are actually filled with scammers. These sites are created to mine information.
- 15% of Brazilians fell victim to military romance scams. The scammer poses as a military member, likely deployed. They build a trusting relationship using military jargon and titles, then request money to cover expenses, like flights back home, for example.
- 15% fell victim to sextortion scams. This type of scam is particularly insidious, involving threats to disclose private or compromising information unless a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrencies. These scams start with phishing emails and exploit human emotions like fear and shame.
- 13% of Brazilians fell victim to malware scams. In this case, the recipient interacts with a scammer who sends them a site that appears legitimate; however, it’s a page that includes malware.
- 12% of Brazilians fell victim to health-related frauds or medical scams. These scams involve scammers pretending to offer treatments or claiming to suffer from fake illnesses to steal money or personal information. This can include selling fake cures, fabricating medical conditions to solicit donations, or posing as health insurance agents to gain access to confidential data.
- 9% of Brazilians fell victim to verification code scams. Scammers send a fake verification code via email or text message, pretending to be a dating app or website. After clicking on it, personal information is requested, including credit card numbers.
Furthermore: 8% of Brazilians fell victim to inheritance scams; 7% fell victim to visa or immigration scams; and 7% also fell victim to cryptocurrency or investment scams.
The security of dating apps
The Norton survey also analyzed the behavior and perceptions of Brazilians regarding the security of apps when seeking a relationship in the digital universe.
Almost seven in ten (67%) of app user respondents said they encountered suspicious profiles or messages at least once a week, prompting many Brazilians to ensure their safety before any in-person meeting.
Over a third of current online daters (36%) in Brazil talk to someone on a dating app for a week or less before being willing to meet in person. However, the majority of Brazilians (94%) take the following precautions, such as:
- Research the person on social media or the internet (57%)
- Have a video call with the person(48%)
- Message the person outside the app or dating platform (42%)
- Tell a friend or family member about the meeting plans before carrying it out (40%)
- Share your location with a family member or friend before the meeting (38%)
- Make a phone call with the person (32%).
To avoid falling victim to scams, Iskander Sanchez-Rola recommends that “users of dating apps remain alert to signs of fraud and take proactive steps to protect their personal information. Moreover, it is essential to always maintain a healthy level of skepticism, avoid sharing sensitive data, and never send money to strangers”.
Research Methodology
The study was conducted online in Brazil by Dynata on behalf of Gen from December 5 to 19, 2024, among 1,002 adults aged 18 and over.
