Love Bombing to Sextortion: Dating App Scams Indians Need to Know About
Dating apps and social media platforms make it easier to meet new people, but they can also expose users to online fraud. Cybercriminals exploit emotions, trust and privacy to obtain money, financial information or intimate photographs. In India, reported schemes include fake romantic profiles, fraudulent investment offers, misleading dating invitations and sextortion.
A 2026 McAfee survey found that 75 percent of Indians surveyed had encountered fake profiles or photographs that appeared AI-generated on dating apps, websites or social media. The findings highlight the importance of recognising suspicious behaviour before an online connection becomes a financial or personal risk.
1. Love Bombing
Love bombing involves overwhelming someone with affection, attention and promises of a relationship unusually quickly. A scammer may send constant messages, declare love within days or discuss marriage before establishing a genuine connection.
The aim may be to create emotional dependence and reduce suspicion. Once trust develops, the person might request money for an emergency or encourage the victim to invest in a supposedly profitable opportunity.
Healthy relationships develop at a comfortable pace. Be cautious when someone pressures you to make commitments quickly or reacts angrily when you establish boundaries.
2. Catfishing and Fake Profiles
Catfishing occurs when someone uses a false identity online. Fraudsters may steal photographs, invent professional backgrounds or use AI-generated profile pictures to appear genuine.
They may avoid live video calls, provide inconsistent personal details or offer excuses whenever asked to verify their identity.
Before becoming emotionally invested, check whether the person's photographs and profile information appear elsewhere online. A reverse image search can help identify stolen photographs, although it cannot prove that a profile is genuine.
3. Fake Investment and Cryptocurrency Schemes
Some scammers build romantic relationships before introducing stock trading, cryptocurrency or other investment opportunities. They may show fabricated profits or direct victims to websites designed to imitate legitimate trading platforms.
After an initial deposit, victims may see fake gains on their accounts and be encouraged to invest larger amounts. Attempts to withdraw money can trigger additional demands for taxes, fees or verification payments.
Never invest because an online romantic contact recommends a platform. Verify the company independently and avoid schemes promising guaranteed or unusually high returns.
4. Fake Emergency and Money Requests
A person may claim to need urgent money for medical treatment, travel expenses, a family emergency or an unexpected financial problem. The story may be designed to create pressure and prevent careful checks.
Requests for bank details, one-time passwords, payment codes or cryptocurrency should raise concerns. Do not transfer money to someone whose identity and circumstances you cannot independently verify.
5. Sextortion and Intimate Image Blackmail
Sextortion occurs when someone threatens to publish intimate images, videos or other sensitive material unless the victim pays money or meets further demands.
A scammer may initiate an intimate video call, secretly record it and threaten to send the recording to family members, friends or colleagues. Manipulated images and AI-generated material can also be used to intimidate victims.
If this happens, do not panic or assume that paying will stop the threats. Preserve messages, profile details, payment demands and other evidence. Report the incident to the platform and the authorities.
6. Fake Dating Invitations and Inflated Bills
Some schemes move from online conversations to meetings at specific bars, restaurants or other venues. The victim may be pressured to visit a particular business and then face an unexpectedly inflated bill.
For a first meeting, choose a public venue yourself, tell a trusted person where you are going and arrange your own transport. Leave if you feel pressured or unsafe.
How to Report a Dating Scam in India
If you lose money or receive threats, preserve relevant evidence and contact your bank or payment provider promptly if a transaction has occurred. Report suspected cybercrime through the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call helpline 1930 for financial cyber fraud.
You can also report the profile through the dating app. Do not feel ashamed about seeking help. The responsibility for fraud and extortion lies with the perpetrator.
Online dating can be a positive experience when users protect their privacy, maintain personal boundaries and verify suspicious claims. Recognising these warning signs can help prevent financial loss and emotional distress.
