Top 10 Platforms Where Romance Scammers Operate in 2025 — How to Use Their Safety Tools

Introduction — Why this matters in 2025

Romance and dating scams remain one of the costliest online fraud types. Government and consumer-protection sources show social networks and dating apps are the leading contact points for scammers who build relationships to request money, cryptocurrency, or favors. Knowing where scammers concentrate and how each platform’s built-in safety tools work is the fastest way to reduce your risk and act quickly if something goes wrong.

This article lists the top 10 platforms used by romance scammers in 2025, explains why scammers favor each service, and gives step-by-step actions you can take inside the app (verification, privacy, reporting and emergency tools) so you stay safe.

Top 10 platforms (2025): what scammers do and which safety tools to use

1. Tinder

   Why scammers use it: Very large user base and simple matching mechanics make it easy to find targets quickly.

   Key safety tools (how to use them): enable Face Check / photo verification, use the Tinder Safety Center to learn features, and opt-in to the Noonlight/Safety Timeline to share your location or trigger an emergency dispatcher if a date becomes unsafe. If someone pressures you to move off-app quickly, treat that as a red flag and report them.

2. Bumble

   Why scammers use it: Popular and often trusted by users who expect women-first conversations, creating opportunities for social engineering.

   Key safety tools: complete Bumble’s photo verification, use Private Detector (blurs unsolicited explicit images), and use the Share Date feature or Safety & Wellbeing resources before meeting. Report and block immediately if money requests begin.

3. Hinge (and Match Group apps)

   Why scammers use it: Hinge and other Match Group apps (Match.com, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish) are large networks where scammers test profiles across multiple brands.

   Key safety tools: look for verification badges (selfie/photo checks and other trust signals), keep communications on the platform, and use in-app reporting. Match Group has been expanding photo/video verification and trust & safety controls across its apps.

4. Facebook / Facebook Dating

   Why scammers use it: Deep social graph and cross-linked profiles let scammers craft believable backstories and find mutual connections to gain trust.

   Key safety tools: use Facebook Dating’s separate profile controls, report/block suspicious messages, and check privacy settings on your main Facebook and Instagram profiles before matching. Keep conversations in-app and use the reporting tools if asked for money.

5. Instagram

   Why scammers use it: Easy to send DMs, curate attractive (sometimes AI-generated) media, and move conversations to encrypted messaging apps.

   Key safety tools: use Instagram’s reporting flows for harassment/scams, enable private account settings, limit who can message you, and use two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. If someone asks to transfer the chat off-platform, pause and verify their identity first.

6. WhatsApp

   Why scammers use it: Encrypted and ubiquitous; scammers push victims to WhatsApp to evade platform moderation.

   Key safety tools: enable two-step verification, use the Block & Report options, and be cautious with group invites or links—WhatsApp has rolled out more spam-detection and group-warning features in 2025. Never send money to contacts you’ve just met.

7. Snapchat

   Why scammers use it: Ephemeral messaging can encourage intimate exchanges (which lead to sextortion) and gives a false sense of deleting evidence.

   Key safety tools: set Snap Map to Ghost Mode, restrict who can contact you, enable 2FA, and use in-app report/block flows for impersonation or sextortion. Don’t send intimate images or accept friend requests from unknown accounts.

8. Telegram

   Why scammers use it: Public groups, channels, and bots allow mass outreach; many scammers ask to move conversations to Telegram to avoid detection.

   Key safety tools: avoid private requests in public channels, use Telegram’s report-spam/report-bot features, forward suspicious messages to @Notoscam and keep evidence (screenshots, usernames). Never share verification codes, bank details, or crypto seed phrases.

9. Grindr (LGBTQ+ apps)

   Why scammers use it: Niche apps can create trust quickly; scammers sometimes use them for robbery, sextortion or financial scams.

   Key safety tools: use Grindr’s Privacy & Safety settings, disable distance sharing, use PIN/secure logins, and use the in-app block/report and Scam Awareness guide if someone asks for money. Meet in public places and tell a friend your plans.

10. Other sites & newcomer channels (messaging apps, niche dating sites, classified ads)

    Why scammers use them: New or less-moderated services (including regional dating apps, newcomer messaging platforms, or classified ad sites) often lack robust verification, so scammers exploit them for recruitment and then move victims to private channels like WhatsApp, Telegram or direct bank transfers.

    Key safety tools: prefer platforms with verified badges and strong reporting, keep your first calls/video chats on-platform, and never send money to an account that asked for funds before meeting in person or verifying identity.

How to use platform safety tools — practical checklist

Below are universal, platform-specific steps you can take immediately if you use dating apps or social media:

• Prioritize verified profiles: Look for photo/selfie or ID verification badges; verified accounts reduce risk but do not guarantee safety. If a profile lacks verification and seems perfect, be cautious.
• Keep conversations on-platform at first: Platforms can review chats and act on reports; moving to WhatsApp/Telegram removes that protection. If asked to move, insist on a video call first.
• Use the emergency tools: If a platform offers a panic button, location sharing with trusted contacts, or an integration with a verified emergency responder (for example, Noonlight integrations), set them up before meeting in person. They can route help if a date goes wrong.
• Report & block quickly: Use the app’s Report flow (provide screenshots and message timestamps). Most platforms have in-app reporting and escalation paths; doing this helps moderators remove scammers faster.
• Lock your accounts: Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) and unique passwords for social and dating accounts to prevent account takeover. Many apps publish step-by-step 2FA guides in their help centers.
• If you were asked for money: Stop communication, collect evidence (screenshots, transaction details), contact your bank immediately, and report to the FTC and FBI IC3 (United States). Time matters for tracing payments.

If you or someone you know is a victim

Prioritize safety (in-person and digital). Save all communications, notify your financial institution, file reports with local law enforcement and the FTC/IC3, and consider contacting victim-support organizations that specialize in romance-scam recovery. Reporting helps authorities and other potential victims.