With the increasing 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 romance scams.
A new survey by Norton, the cybersecurity brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), conducted among Brazilians, outlines the habits of users and the risks of digital love. According to the survey, nearly four in ten (37%) Brazilians currently use a dating app, and many spend an average of almost 9 hours (8.69) per week on these apps. Among those who use dating apps, one in five Brazilians (21%) report having been targeted by a scam.
Iskander Sanchez-Rola, Norton’s Director of Innovation, explains that romance 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, the criminal uses a fake identity to gain enough of the victim’s trust to request personal information or money. This allows the cybercriminal to carry out scams or gain financial advantages,’ he warns.
Among the Brazilians (21%) who reported being targeted by cybercriminals, 85% were victims of a scam, with the most prevalent being:
- 41% of Brazilians have been victims of romance scams.A romance scam is when a person is deceived into thinking they are in a relationship with someone they met online, but in reality, it is a scammer using a fake identity to gain the victim’s trust and ask for money.
- 29% of Brazilians have been victims of catfishing.This is the act of a scammer impersonating another person online, using photos and information about them or a fictitious identity. In some cases, catfishers may steal someone’s identity, including their name, photos, and birthdate.
- 27% of Brazilians have been victims of Sugar Daddy / Sugar Baby scams. In this type of romance scam, the scammer poses as a wealthy individual who wants to send money to a younger person in exchange for online companionship. After gaining their trust, the cybercriminal requests an upfront fee or personal information before sending their ‘allowance.’
- 23% of Brazilians have been victims of photo scams. Scammers try to convince their target to send personal information in exchange for intimate photos.
- 16% of Brazilians have been victims of fake dating sites. These are fraudulent dating sites that claim to be legitimate but are actually full of scammers. These sites are created to mine information.
- 15% of Brazilians have been victims of military romance scams. The scammer poses as a military member, likely deployed. They build trust using military jargon and titles and later ask for money to cover expenses, such as flights back home.
- 15% have been victims of sextortion scams. This type of scam is particularly insidious, involving threats to release private or compromising information unless a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency. These scams start with phishing emails and exploit human emotions like fear and shame.
- 13% of Brazilians have been victims of malware scams. In this case, the recipient interacts with a scammer who sends them a seemingly legitimate website; however, it is a page containing malware.
- 12% of Brazilians have been victims of health-related fraud or medical scams. These scams involve fraudsters pretending to offer treatments or claiming to suffer from fake illnesses to steal money or personal information. This may include selling fake cures, falsifying medical conditions to solicit donations, or posing as health insurance agents to access confidential data.
- 9% of Brazilians have been victims of verification code scams. Scammers send a fake verification code via email or text, pretending to be a dating app or website. After clicking it, personal information, including credit card numbers, is requested.
Additionally: 8% of Brazilians have been victims of inheritance scams; 7% have been victims of visa or immigration scams; and 7% have also been victims of cryptocurrency or investment scams.
The security of dating apps
The Norton survey also analyzed the behavior and perceptions of Brazilians regarding the security of dating apps when seeking a relationship in the digital world.
Almost seven in ten (67%) of surveyed dating app users said they encountered suspicious profiles or messages at least once a week, leading many Brazilians to take steps to ensure their safety before meeting in person.
More than one-third of current online daters (36%) in Brazil chat with someone on a dating app for a week or less before being willing to meet in person. However, most Brazilians (94%) take the following precautions, such as:
- Researching the person on social media or online (57%)
- Having a video call with the person (48%)
- Messaging the person outside the app or dating platform (42%)
- Telling a friend or family member about the date plans before going (40%)
- Sharing their location with a family member or friend before the date (38%)
- Making a phone call with the person (32%).
To avoid falling victim to scams, Iskander Sanchez-Rola recommends that ‘dating app users remain alert to signs of fraud and take proactive steps to protect their personal information. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a healthy level of skepticism, avoiding sharing sensitive data and never sending money to strangers.’
Survey 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 or older.
