Valentine's Day: Tips To Avoid Online Dating Scams In South Africa

With Valentines Day around the corner, online dating activity is picking up as South Africans look to make romantic connections. However, scammers often use this period to defraud unsuspecting people on dating platforms.

According to research platform Statista , the local online dating market should generate revenue of R233.51 million this year. On the flip side, South Africans lost over R125 million to online dating scammers in 2022, according to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR.

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 impact of online dating scams is both emotional and financial. "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."

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 is who 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 so in a public place. Ongoing excuses to 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.

Act quickly if you think you've been targeted. Early intervention can minimise financial damage and protect your identity.