How to Spot a Fake Dating Profile: A Safety Guide for Singles Over 50
Most people you meet online are exactly who they say they are. But scammers deliberately target older adults. In the FBI’s latest report, Americans aged 60 and over reported $7.7 billion in losses to online crime in 2025, and $584 million of that came from confidence and romance scams. The good news: fake profiles follow familiar patterns, and once you know them, they are much easier to spot.
Warning signs in the profile
- Photos that look too perfect. Professional-looking pictures, only one or two photos, and no everyday shots with friends, pets or places.
- A dream story far from home. Working on an oil rig, serving in the military abroad, or working as a doctor for an international charity. It gives them a reason never to meet.
- Details that do not add up. The age, location, job and photos do not fit together, or the story changes when you ask questions.
- Lots of romance, little real life. Plenty of sweet words, but nothing specific about family, hometown or daily routine.
Warning signs in conversation
- Love too soon. Strong feelings within days, before you have even spoken on the phone.
- “Let’s talk somewhere else.” A quick push to move to WhatsApp, text or email, away from the dating site.
- Never on camera. There is always a reason a video call cannot happen.
- Sudden emergencies. A medical bill, a customs fee, a frozen bank account, or a ticket to come and visit you.
- Talk about investments. The US Federal Trade Commission warns that romance scammers build a relationship over time, then turn the conversation to money and offer to help you invest it.
- Requests for money or favours. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or asking you to receive money or parcels and pass them on.
- Secrecy. Asking you not to tell family or friends about the relationship.
Five checks you can do in ten minutes
- Search their photos. On a computer, right-click a profile photo and choose “Search image with Google”. On a phone, use the Lens button in the Google app. If the same photo appears under another name, walk away.
- Search their name, email and phone number together with the word “scam”.
- Ask for a short video call early on. Someone who is genuinely interested will usually agree.
- Ask specific questions about the town or job they mention. Vague or copied answers are a warning sign.
- Tell someone you trust. A friend or relative can often see what is hard to see from inside a new relationship.
The one rule that stops almost every romance scam
Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, bank details or copies of your ID to someone you have not met in person, whatever the story and however real the feelings seem.
If you think you are talking to a scammer
- Stop replying, and do not send anything else.
- Block and report the profile. On SeniorFF, use the block option and email service@multifriendschat.com.
- If you sent money, call your bank straight away. The sooner you act, the better the chance of stopping a payment.
- Report it:
- USA: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Report Fraud (it replaced Action Fraud), or call 0300 123 2040. Scotland: Police Scotland on 101.
- Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia: Scamwatch
- Beware of “recovery” offers. People who promise to get your money back for a fee are often scammers too. Older Americans reported $540 million in losses to recovery scams in 2025.
And please do not feel ashamed. Romance scammers are professionals. Reporting helps protect the next person.
A note about SeniorFF
We do not verify every profile, so these checks matter on every dating site, including ours. Take your time, keep conversations on the site until you feel sure, and never let anyone rush you.
Sources: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 annual report (via AARP); US Federal Trade Commission, What to know about romance scams; City of London Police, Report Fraud.