7 Most Common Online Dating Scams

According to a Norton survey, various types of online dating scams are prevalent, as detailed in the 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insight Report Global Result: Online Dating.

Norton found that the most common experience among respondents was romance scams. In these scams, perpetrators cultivate a romantic relationship with the victim before requesting money under various pretexts, such as medical expenses, travel, visas, or other financial difficulties. 37% of respondents reported experiencing this.

Catfishing, or the use of a false identity, was also reported by 37% of respondents.

Other scams included the use of fake photos (23%), fake dating sites (19%), and "sugar daddy" or "sugar baby" scams (19%), where perpetrators promise money in exchange for a romantic relationship.

Further, sextortion, or blackmail involving threats to distribute sexual photos or videos (17%), and scams where perpetrators feign illness to gain attention or benefit from the victim (15%), were also identified.

Norton also found that one in four online dating users has been targeted by a scam. Leyla Bilge, Director of Scam Research at Norton, highlighted the need for caution.

"Common red flags include people who avoid video or phone calls, profiles with inconsistencies between their bio and messages or attempts to rush emotional connection or push for personal details too quickly," Bilge stated in the Norton report.

This online survey was conducted by Norton in December 2024, involving 12,024 respondents aged 18 and older across 12 countries.