May 6, 2026
At first glance, fake dating profiles have nothing but green flags. They’re verified accounts, often posing as handsome men in their 40s. Their photos tell the story of a laid-back, yet exciting life — gym selfies, beach trips, a snowy hike in the Alps — except for the very last picture.
It’s not a photo at all, but an illustration: clearly AI-generated, perhaps depicting a totally different person’s face pasted onto a billboard, or a bobble head, an anime character or an oil painting.
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One weird picture might not be enough to raise alarm bells — seasoned swipers have seen much worse on the apps — but, as journalist Christophe Haubursin uncovered, it is a surefire sign of a romance scammer. And if you’re not careful, they can drain your wallet before you even meet for coffee (1).
How the scam works
Haubursin, a former Vox journalist and now independent YouTube creator, first heard about the issue when a friend showed him screenshots of strange Tinder matches. All the accounts were verified, and they all seemed totally normal — except for the AI images each one had at the end. She wondered if this was some kind of subtle signal. Could these people be in a secret society or private club?
Turns out, it was nothing of the sort. Haubursin figured out that, once you chat with one of these users, they quickly try to move the conversations to WhatsApp and steer the topic to cryptocurrency. They eventually pressure their would-be sweethearts to urgently send money. It’s obvious scammer behaviour.
So what’s with the odd images? They’re a way to get around security features like Tinder’s Face Check. To get a “verified” badge on a dating app, you need to take a video of your face from several angles, much like you would to set up FaceID on an iPhone. The app’s AI system then matches your profile photos to the video, confirming your identity.
But Tinder only requires one photo from a user’s profile to match the video. So scammers appear to be stealing or AI-generating several photos of the same person to build out the profile, then adding one heavily modified photo of their own face at the end to get verified on the app and gain users’ trust.
Haubursin tested this theory by making profiles filled with fake photos on both Tinder and Hinge, and adding one heavily modified image of his own face. He completed the Face Check, both systems confirmed the images were him and he received verification. However, the app Bumble got wise to his scheme and auto-deleted photos that didn’t match the video he submitted.
Match Group, the parent company of both Tinder and Hinge, didn’t answer Haubursin’s request for comment. However, it later responded to the news site Mashable, stating, “We’re aware of the concerns raised about our Photo Verification and Face Check features. In recent weeks, we’ve taken action to strengthen our Photo Verification badging logic, including requiring greater consistency across profile photos and additional reviews to achieve higher confidence in cases that warrant extra scrutiny (2).”
The company went on to say, “We are committed to continuously improving and investing in our systems to keep Tinder safe and authentic for our users.”
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How romance scams are hitting Canadians
Romance scams are a serious and growing financial threat in Canada. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), a joint operation of the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Competition Bureau Canada, Canadians reported $58.4 million in losses to romance fraud in 2024 (3). The CAFC consistently notes that the vast majority of fraud goes unreported, meaning the true financial toll is likely far higher.
Scammers love to trawl dating apps and social media sites for vulnerable people looking for love. Thanks to AI tools, it’s easier than ever to crank out fake photos, videos and voice notes, and generate messages that sound sincere.
Long-con romance scams that use fake crypto investing platforms — also called “pig butchering” scams — are particularly prevalent. In these schemes, scammers spend weeks or months building an emotional relationship before introducing a supposedly exclusive crypto investment opportunity. Victims feel financially and emotionally pressured to invest “before it’s too late.”
How to spot a romance scammer
If you think you’ve been caught by a catfish, take screenshots of all relevant communications and block the person on all platforms. Report the fraudster to the dating app, local law enforcement and the CAFC. If sensitive financial information was exposed, freeze your accounts, change your passwords and contact your financial institutions immediately.
You can also avoid this stressful situation by learning to identify a few red flags that indicate a potential romance scam:
Excuses for not meeting in person
Scammers will make up stories for why they can’t meet up or turn on video chat. Common ones include working on an oil rig, serving in the military in a “high-security zone” or having a broken phone.
False sense of urgency
Scammers want you to be in panic mode. They’ll manufacture some sort of emergency — or a limited-time buying opportunity that must happen now — to make sure you take action before you figure out what’s really going on. They may need money for a plane ticket to visit you, a surgery for a relative or a customs fee to have a package released.
Long-con romance scams that use fake crypto investing platforms will build up excitement over time, making you feel pressured to buy before it’s too late.
Payment instructions
The Competition Bureau Canada advises that anyone who asks for money before meeting you in person should be treated as a potential scammer. And remember, real people aren’t picky about how you pay. Scammers specify the exact form of payment they require, and it’s often something offbeat like cryptocurrency or gift cards (4).
What Canadians can do right now
Romance fraud is both underreported and rarely discussed. However, there are clear steps Canadians can take to protect themselves and their finances:
- Report it: If you suspect fraud, contact the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. Also report to your local police or provincial consumer protection office.
- Protect your accounts: If you’ve sent money or shared financial details, contact your bank immediately. Canadian financial institutions have fraud response teams. You may be able to reverse a recent e-transfer if you act quickly.
- Conduct a reverse-image search: Use Google Images or TinEye to check whether a match’s photos appear elsewhere on the internet under a different name.
- Video chat early: Insist on a live video call before building an emotional connection. Scammers who use stolen photos will almost always find an excuse to avoid it.
- Be skeptical of crypto “opportunities”: Any romantic contact who introduces a crypto investment platform — particularly one you’ve never heard of — is a major warning sign. Legitimate investment opportunities are never pitched through dating apps.
- Read the Little Black Book of Scams: The Competition Bureau Canada’s free guide outlines the most common scam tactics and is available in multiple languages. Download it at competitionbureau.gc.ca (5).
— with files from Melanie Huddart
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
YouTube (1); Mashable (2); CBC News (3); Competition Bureau Canada (4, 5)
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Genna Buck is a podcaster and college instructor who edits for Moneywise.
