Online dating has become a popular way for South Africans to make romantic connections. According to research platform Statista, the local online dating market should generate revenue of R233.51 million this year. User penetration (portion of the population using the service) should reach 8.7% in 2025 and 11.2% by 2029.
This rise in digital romance has, however, also led to an increase in scams targeting people on dating platforms. South Africans lost over R125 million to online dating scammers in 2022, according to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
How online dating scams work
Scammers on dating sites and apps often create fake profiles using attractive photos and false information. They spend time gaining their victim’s trust and building an emotional connection. They then manipulate or steal from the victim, often inventing stories such as a medical emergency or a business crisis, to trick victims into sending them money.
New technology has made these scams harder to detect. Fraudsters now use tools such as artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos and videos, making their stories more believable.
The cost of being scammed
The impact of online dating scams is both emotional and financial. Victims can lose thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of rands. In one case, suspected members of an international crime consortium operating in South Africa scammed over R100 million from more than 100 women over a period of ten years.
“Many victims struggle to rebuild both trust and their bank accounts,” says Sarah Nicholson, operations manager of JustMoney.co.za, a platform that helps South Africans make good money choices.
“They find it hard to deal with feelings of betrayal, shame, and depression, and their financial future may be in jeopardy. Many struggle to admit they’ve been deceived, hiding the fact from friends and family. Cases go unreported because victims feel embarrassed and worry they will be judged.”
Tips to avoid falling for fraudsters
If you’re using online dating platforms, take these steps to protect yourself from scammers:
- Reverse image search a profile picture. Reverse image search involves uploading an image, or using an image URL, to search the internet for visually similar images, or sources where the image has been used.If the photo is used on multiple profiles or doesn’t match the claimed identity, it’s probably a scam.
- Look for inconsistencies. Be alert to any mismatched information in a profile, messages, or responses.
- Video chat early. If someone you’re chatting to refuses to show their face or makes excuses about a poor internet connection to get out of video calling, it’s a red flag.
- Take your time. Don’t rush into anything. Be sure the person you’ve connected with iswho they claim to be. Overly romantic language, especially too soon, should ring an alarm bell.
- Protect your personal information. Never share sensitive details such as your home address or place of work with someone you’ve just met. Financial information or passwords should not be shared with anyone outside of your immediate family, if at all.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Be on the alert if you sense any dishonesty or manipulation.
- Never send money. No matter how convincing the story, don’t send money or valuables.
- Keep conversations on the platform. Moving to text, email, or other private channels too quickly can be risky.
- Talk to someone you trust. If you’re feeling uncertain, ask a friend or family member for their perspective.
- Meet in person, safely. If you decide to meet up, do soin a public place. Ongoing excusesto avoid meeting are a red flag too.
Yima, a free service offered by the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), is a platform that enables South Africans to secure their identities, scan websites for vulnerabilities related to scams, and report scams.
Yima features a tool named Verify’m that biometrically verifies a person’s identity using Department of Home Affairs records. If the biometrics do not match the information you have on the person, or there is no information, then be cautious.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
Act quickly if you think you’ve been targeted. Early intervention can minimise financial damage and protect your identity.
Use Yima’s scam hotline, 083 123 7226, to report a fraud incident directly to banks, retailers and insurance companies. You need only remember this number instead of searching for each institution’s contact numbers online.
Your bank can block further transactions if you’ve already sent money or shared your banking details. They can also guide you on steps such as changing your online banking passwords and monitoring your bank account for suspicious activity.
Report the scam to the SAFPS and the police, and alert the dating platform on which it took place. Most platforms have dedicated fraud or scam reporting features.
Speaking to a trusted friend or therapist can help you deal with the emotional fallout.
“Online dating can be a great way to meet new people, but it’s essential to be vigilant,” advises Nicholson. “Recognising signs of a scam and taking precautions will help you enjoy the process of meeting someone without risking your heart or your walle