Security News > 2021 > January > Interpol: Trading scammers lure love-struck victims via dating apps
The Interpol warns of fraudsters targeting dating app users and attempting to trick them into investing through fake trading apps.
"In the initial stages, an artificial romance is established via a dating app. Once communication becomes regular and a certain level of trust is established, criminals share investment tips with their victims and encourage them to join a scheme."
The victims are then encouraged by the scammers to download and open an account on a trading app so that they can reach Gold or VIP status after working their way up "The investment chain."
To avoid losing their money after being targeted by these ongoing fraud schemes, Interpol urges dating app users to be vigilant while using dating platforms and to be skeptical when entering online relationships.
Last year, Interpol also advised victims of online financial scams to immediately take action to intercept the funds before their money reaches the scammers' accounts.
The U.S. Department of Justice's website lists hundreds of cases where scammers were either indicted or found guilty of running large-scale romance scam fraud schemes targeting U.S. citizens.