Egidio
Security · Dating

Tinder scams: how to spot them and stay safe

A relationship that builds over weeks, then an "opportunity" that isn't one. Pig-butchering on dating apps costs over a billion dollars a year in the U.S. alone. Here's how to spot it.

Protect my messaging apps with Egidio Free for calls and SMS · 100% on your phone

The most common Tinder scams

Most costly

Pig-butchering

Stolen photos, a relationship built over weeks, then a fraudulent crypto or forex platform. Withdrawal is always blocked.

Common

Early platform exit

The profile quickly pushes toward WhatsApp or a personal number, to escape the app's moderation tools.

Phishing

The fake verification page

A link "to verify your identity and chat safely" leads to a fake site collecting your data or bank card.

Classic

Requests for money or gift cards

A sudden emergency (medical, frozen account, plane ticket) justifies an urgent request for money.

According to the FTC, 55,604 reports of romance fraud were filed in the U.S. in the first 9 months of 2025 (+22% year-over-year), for losses exceeding $1 billion. The CFTC and FBI issued a joint alert in 2025 specifically about investment scams starting on dating apps.

How to spot a Tinder scam

What to do if you're targeted

  1. Never deposit funds on a platform discovered via a dating contact.
  2. Do a reverse image search of profile photos if in doubt.
  3. Never pay for an "identity verification" outside the app.
  4. Block and report through the app's built-in tools.

How Egidio protects you

Egidio detects scam signals across more than 180 apps — including dating apps — on top of calls and SMS, and warns you before you open the trap.

Where others rely on a list of known numbers, Egidio detects the scam itself — even from a profile it has never seen before.

100% on your phone. Egidio analyzes notifications locally: it doesn't store your conversations and sends nothing to a server. No ads, no account.

Download Egidio Call and SMS blocking are free · messaging protection is Premium

Frequently asked questions

How do I spot a scam on Tinder?

Be wary of a profile that quickly pushes off the app, brings up a crypto opportunity after a few weeks, or asks for money or verification fees.

What is pig-butchering on dating apps?

A trusted relationship builds over weeks, then you're offered an investment on a fraudulent platform. Withdrawal is always blocked.

Is the "verified" badge on Tinder reliable?

The real badge never requires payment. Any request for "verification" fees is a scam.

Does Egidio read my messages on dating apps?

No. Egidio analyzes notifications on your phone to detect scam signals. It doesn't store your conversations.

Is Egidio free?

Call and SMS blocking are free, forever. Messaging protection and Family mode are included in the Premium version.