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Latest news about romance scams, catfishing, fake profiles, online fraud and dating app safety.

French-Speaking Switzerland: Seven Arrested Over Fake Police Officer Scams Targeting the Elderly
Seven people have been arrested in French-speaking Switzerland in connection with fake police officer scams that caused more than 88,000 francs in losses, mostly to elderly victims.
24 heures
Vicenza, Italy: Man Says He Was Attacked After Dating App Meetup
An Italian man says he was violently beaten after a meetup arranged through a dating app, with nothing stolen, and suspects a homophobic motive.
Il Giornale di Vicenza
Aveiro: Man Attacked and Robbed After Meeting Someone Through a Dating Site
A man was arrested in Portugal on suspicion of luring a victim to an isolated area after contact made on a dating site, then robbing and sexually assaulting him.
Diário de Leiria
Brescia, Italy: Social Media Meetup Turns Into Robbery and Forced Bank Transfer
A man was forced at knifepoint to hand over cash and make a bank transfer during a meetup with someone he'd gotten to know on social media.
Giornale di Lombardia
Bavaria: Luxury Watch Seller Beaten and Robbed After Kleinanzeigen Contact
A German seller was beaten and robbed of several valuable watches after letting a buyer he'd contacted through the Kleinanzeigen listings platform into his home.
Fränkischer Tag
Nazaré, Portugal: Man Arrested for Extorting €16,000 by Threatening to Leak Intimate Images
A man has been arrested in Portugal for extorting roughly €16,000 from a victim by threatening to publish intimate images and conversations shared online.
Diário Criminal (SAPO)
Portugal: Seven Arrested in Scam Network Targeting Over 20 Sellers on OLX and Marketplace
A Portuguese police operation has dismantled a network suspected of defrauding more than 20 victims out of roughly €80,000 through fake transactions on OLX and Facebook Marketplace.
O Vilaverdense
Swiss Teen's Suicide Leads Investigators to International Sextortion Network
A three-year investigation opened after a Swiss teenager's suicide has led to the arrest in South Africa of a man suspected of running an international sextortion network targeting minors.
Sunday Times (TimesLIVE)
Bavaria: Fake Payment Link Scam Narrowly Avoided in Kleinanzeigen Sale
A German seller narrowly avoided a five-figure loss after nearly handing over his bank details through a fake payment link during a Kleinanzeigen sale.
Donau-Ries Aktuell
Valladolid: Couple Arrested Trying to Sell Stolen Phone Back to Its Own Owner
A woman spotted her own stolen phone for sale on a second-hand site and set a trap for the sellers by arranging a police-monitored meetup.
Valladolid Plural
Belgium: Rise in Dating App Ambushes Targeting LGBTQIA+ People, Advocacy Groups Warn
A report by ILGA-Europe points to a rise in homophobic and transphobic violence in Belgium, marked in particular by a growing number of ambushes set up through dating apps.
7sur7
Belgium: Fake Rolex Buyer Sets Up Ambush in Buggenhout Before Fleeing Toward Brussels
Two men who contacted a Rolex seller through Facebook set up an ambush at his home in Buggenhout before fleeing, unknowingly filmed by the victim's wife.
DHnet
The Uncatchable Romance Scammer: Two Decades of Fraud, Still on the Run
A man operating for two decades under shifting identities continues to find new victims via Tinder and Leboncoin, despite a conviction and an active arrest warrant.
Franceinfo
"I Trusted the Human Being": Fake Bank Transfer Scammer Sentenced in Le Mans, France
A man has been sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding around twenty sellers in France's Sarthe region using fake bank transfer confirmations.
ICI (formerly France Bleu / France 3)
UK: Network Accused of Using Grindr to Trap Around 50 Victims in Potential Hate Crime Probe
London's Metropolitan Police is investigating a network suspected of using Grindr to lure and burgle around fifty victims, in a case being treated as a possible hate crime.
AOL / PA
Southwest France: Violent Ambush During Leboncoin Meetup Near Agen
A resident of the Agen area was violently assaulted while heading to a Leboncoin meetup in Brax, France — the second such case in the department this year.
Info.fr
Suffolk Man Sentenced for Laundering Romance Scam Money Under the Name "Jenna"
A Suffolk man has been sentenced for laundering funds from a romance scam carried out under a fake identity, "Jenna Leigh Smith."
Suffolk County Council
London: Men Drugged After Grindr Meetups, Then Robbed
Several men met through Grindr were drugged and then burgled at home, with one suspect arrested at Gatwick Airport.
LBC
Alicante: Phone Seller Threatened With Knife After Second-Hand App Meetup
A man tried to steal a phone from its seller at knifepoint during a meetup arranged through a second-hand sales app, before being arrested through a police sting.
COPE
Ottawa: Youth Arrested After Shots Fired During Facebook Marketplace Deal in Manotick
A meetup arranged through Facebook Marketplace escalated into gunfire outside a bank in Ottawa's Manotick neighborhood.
CBC News
Louisville: Man Accused of Kidnapping and Robbing a Grindr Date
A Louisville man is accused of kidnapping and robbing someone he had met on Grindr weeks earlier.
FOX19
US Man Sentenced to Five Years for $3.5 Million Romance Scam
A man who posed as a charming suitor across several dating sites has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after defrauding eight victims over more than fifteen years.
KOMO News
North Charleston: Dating App Meetup Ends in Armed Robbery and Gunfire
A man was arrested nearly a month after robbing and threatening someone he met through a dating app, an encounter that escalated into gunfire.
Live 5 News (WCSC)
Texas: Two Teens Accused of Using Dating Apps to Lure Victims Into Violent Robberies
A teenage couple is accused of using dating apps to lure young men into ambushes, with one victim shot four times.
WRGA / Local News Now
North Charleston: iPhone Buyer Robbed at Gunpoint During Facebook Marketplace Meetup
A man has been arrested after robbing a victim at gunpoint who had come to buy an iPhone listed on Facebook Marketplace.
WCBD / CountOn2
Miami-Dade: Robbery Crew Targeting Facebook Marketplace Sellers Dismantled
Five people have been arrested in Florida after being identified as responsible for a string of eleven armed robberies targeting phone and laptop sellers on Facebook Marketplace.
NBC 6 South Florida
Alberta: Bear Spray Used in Robbery During Facebook Marketplace Deal
A person has been charged after using bear spray to rob the victim of a transaction arranged through Facebook Marketplace.
CTV News
Las Vegas: Father and Son Robbed at Gunpoint at Facebook Marketplace E-Bike Meetup
A father and his teenage son were ambushed by masked, armed men while trying to buy an e-bike listed on Facebook Marketplace.
FOX5 Las Vegas
Kitchener, Canada: 18-Year-Old Charged in String of Online Marketplace Robberies
An 18-year-old man faces more than twenty charges after being identified as responsible for a string of nine tablet and phone thefts arranged through an online marketplace.
CTV News
Maryland Woman Sentenced for Laundering Money in Nationwide Romance Scam
A Maryland woman has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for laundering funds from a large-scale romance scam that touched victims across several US states.
FBI / DOJ (Southern District of Iowa)
Serial catfish scammer arrested after dating app return
A repeat romance fraud offender was arrested again after returning to dating apps shortly after release from prison.
The Sun
Spanish Guardia Civil recovers €150,000 after romance scam victim sent €162,000 to supposed partner
Spain’s Guardia Civil recovered €150,000 after a romance scam victim transferred €162,000 to a supposed partner met through an app.
El País
Medellín warns of dating app robbery schemes after 173 foreign victims reported in 2026
Authorities in Medellín say 173 foreign visitors have been victims of theft in 2026, with some criminal groups allegedly using dating apps, drugs and nightlife areas to target tourists.
El Tiempo
UK man convicted after using fake Tinder profile to send strangers to ex-partner’s home
A UK man has been convicted of stalking after prosecutors said he created fake Tinder profiles using his former partner’s identity and sent strangers to her address.
NDTV
Slidell police say men were targeted through dating app in robbery and kidnapping case
Police in Slidell, Louisiana, say two suspects used a dating app to target men in a case involving alleged armed robberies, kidnappings and extortion attempts.
Fox 8 / WVUE
NY couple accused of using fake dating profile to scam Ridgefield man out of $18,000
Two Westchester County residents are facing charges after police say a Ridgefield man was manipulated through a fake dating profile and pressured into sending thousands of dollars.
CT Insider
Los Angeles: suspect arrested in alleged $17.4 million fraud and identity theft ring
In the United States, a man was arrested in Los Angeles as part of a federal case targeting a group accused of exploiting elderly homeowners to obtain loans backed by their properties.
New York Post
Oregon: man arrested after investigation into alleged rape and strangulation linked to Tinder
In the United States, a 24-year-old man was arrested in Oregon after an investigation alleging that he met a victim through Tinder before incidents involving accusations including rape and strangulation.
KATU
United States: Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to seven murders and admits an eighth killing in Gilgo Beach case
In the United States, Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to seven murders in the Gilgo Beach case and also admitted causing the death of an eighth victim, Karen Vergata.
BBC News
Colombia: three suspects jailed in alleged robbery case linked to dating app meetups
In Colombia, two women and one man were jailed in a case where they are accused of contacting victims through dating apps and then drugging them in order to rob them.
Noticias Caracol
Germany: five young defendants on trial for luring and attacking gay men through a dating app
In Germany, five young defendants aged 15 to 20 are on trial after allegedly luring gay men through a dating app before assaulting, robbing and insulting them with homophobic abuse.
Deutschlandfunk
Bogotá: woman wanted by Argentina arrested over alleged robberies during dating app meetups
In Colombia, a woman wanted by Argentina was arrested in Bogotá in a case where she is suspected of drugging and robbing several men she allegedly met through dating apps.
Infobae
Italy: fake chef on dating site accused of drugging and robbing 68-year-old man near Turin
In Italy, a woman posing as a private chef on a dating platform is accused of drugging a 68-year-old man with benzodiazepines before robbing him at his home near Turin.
Corriere Torino
United States: man charged after alleged sexual assault linked to Tinder date in Plainfield
In the United States, a Massachusetts man was charged with sexual assault and unlawful restraint after an alleged assault involving a woman he had met on Tinder in Plainfield, Connecticut.
CT Insider
Florida: fake online love interest sentenced after stealing from 79-year-old widower on Facebook
In Florida, a man was sentenced after taking $31,000 from a 79-year-old widower while posing online as a woman who claimed she wanted to move to be with him.
Bradenton Herald
Malta: man remanded in custody over alleged assaults and robberies linked to Grindr
In Malta, a 25-year-old man was remanded in custody after facing allegations of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and violent assaults involving men he allegedly met through Grindr.
The Malta Independent
Blackmailer took £23,000 from friend by sending fake threats
A woman in north-east England was jailed after blackmailing a longtime friend out of more than £23,000 by pretending to be violent men sending threats.
BBC News
Friends help expose Tinder cafe scam in Mumbai, eight arrested
After a man was cheated through a Tinder-linked date scam in Mumbai, his friends helped set up a decoy operation that led to a police raid and the arrest of eight suspects.
Mid-Day
Edmonton man charged after women allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted following dating app meetings
Police in Edmonton say a 56-year-old man has been charged after several women alleged they were drugged and sexually assaulted after meeting him through dating apps.
CBC News
Feds accuse Colombian man in Grindr scheme targeting older wealthier men in Florida
Federal prosecutors say a Colombian man was part of a scheme in which older, wealthier men met through Grindr were allegedly drugged, robbed and defrauded in South Florida and Orlando.
Local 10 News
Ohio man sentenced for role in romance scam that caused more than $2 million in losses
A 41-year-old man from Cincinnati was sentenced to prison for his role in a romance fraud scheme that caused more than $2 million in losses to dozens of victims.
614Now
Fake police officer allegedly swindled woman out of more than €60,000 in Portugal
Portuguese investigators say a man posed as a police officer on Facebook to gain women’s trust, with one victim allegedly losing more than €60,000 over the course of the scheme.
Polícia Judiciária
Two young men arrested after dating app meetup led to violent robbery in Murcia
Two young men from Alicante were arrested after allegedly assaulting, tying up and robbing a young man they had contacted through a dating app before abandoning him injured in Murcia.
El Español
Stolen €4,000 bicycle found for sale on Wallapop to its own owner
In Spain, a bicycle worth €4,000 was allegedly stolen and then put up for sale on Wallapop for a much lower price, before police arranged a fake purchase to recover it.
Infobae España
Man arrested in Spain after violent Grindr robberies investigated as anti-LGBT hate crimes
Spanish authorities arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of arranging Grindr meetups to rob victims, with investigators also treating the case as hate-motivated violence against LGBT people.
El Confidencial
Fake death of Jonathan the 193-year-old tortoise used in crypto donation scam
A false announcement claiming Jonathan, the world’s oldest known land animal, had died was used to spread a crypto scam asking for donations.
L'Avenir
Romance scam: fraudster posed as a BBC employee and intelligence worker
In the United Kingdom, a man convicted of romance fraud deceived several women by claiming he worked for the BBC, ABC News or even the intelligence services, taking nearly £50,000 from them.
BBC News
Identity theft: her face was used for years to deceive strangers
In the United Kingdom, a young woman explains how her photos were reused on fake profiles to manipulate other people, damage her reputation and push online harassment into her real life.
BBC News Afrique
A scammer posed as singer Daan and allegedly stole nearly €20,000 from a fan
A woman was reportedly targeted by scammers posing as Flemish singer Daan Stuyven on Facebook and says she lost nearly €20,000 in a romance scam built around trust, admiration and false promises.
RTBF
Belgian police warn of concert ticket scams online
Belgian federal police are warning music fans about online concert ticket scams involving fake websites, reused tickets and suspicious resale offers on social media and unofficial platforms.
Le Soir
Three arrested after Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace robberies in Edmonton
Police in Edmonton say three people have been charged after a series of robberies linked to Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace transactions involving phones, computers, fake devices and counterfeit cash.
Edmonton Police Service
Ex-Meta employee investigated over alleged download of 30,000 private Facebook photos
A former Meta employee is under investigation in the UK after allegedly downloading around 30,000 private Facebook images using a program designed to bypass security checks.
BBC News
Romance fraudster jailed after taking more than £28,000 from Tinder and Bumble victims
In the UK, a man was sentenced to three years in prison after deceiving several men he met on Tinder and Bumble and taking more than £28,000 from them.
Kent Online
Las Vegas woman accused of drugging and robbing men in deadly romance scam
Federal investigators say a woman used dating apps to target victims, drug them and steal money, identities and valuables in a years-long case tied to multiple deaths.
New York Post
Scots woman wanted after fake pregnancy blackmail scam took more than £6,000
A woman in Scotland is being sought by police after admitting she extorted more than £6,000 from a man through a fake pregnancy scheme, threats and repeated demands for money.
The Scottish Sun

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