How to Spot Fake Hinge Profiles (and Avoid Romance Scams and Crypto Cons)
Online dating can be an incredible way to meet new people and potentially find genuine connections. But as with any online platform, dating apps like Hinge aren’t immune to scammers and fake profiles. These users might be after your personal information, money, or both. Below are some common red flags to watch for and examples of the types of profiles you might encounter.
1. Too Good to Be True Photos or Inconsistent Photos
Red Flag: Their profile pictures look overly polished, like they're taken straight from a magazine or a stock photo site. You might also notice that every photo looks like a completely different person in terms of style, body type, or environment.
Example: “Sophia, 29, ‘Model and Philanthropist’”
- All her pictures look like high-fashion editorial shoots, but they don’t seem to match her everyday life details.
- A reverse image search might reveal these photos are actually from a famous model’s Instagram.
Tip: Perform a quick reverse image search on Google or TinEye. If the pictures appear on multiple unrelated websites or belong to someone else, you’ve spotted a likely fake.
Red Flag: Their bio is exceptionally short, very generic, or filled with meaningless buzzwords (e.g., “Living life to the fullest,” “Seeking real love,” “Carpe diem!”). They might list suspicious or inconsistent details about work, education, or location.
Example: “Mark, 35, ‘Entrepreneur in Crypto Mining’”
- Profile bullet points: “Loves traveling,” “Family first,” “Crypto is the future, ask me how!”
- No specifics about his job, background, or personal interests.
Tip: Look for genuine content in their profile prompts: Are they providing real insights about their hobbies, humor, or personality, or just throwing around empty phrases?
3. Rushing to Move Communication Off the App
Red Flag: They push to move the conversation from Hinge to WhatsApp, email, or text almost immediately. Scammers do this so they can operate without Hinge’s reporting and blocking features, and it makes it harder for victims to seek help if something goes wrong.
Example: “Emma, 28, ‘Traveler & Adrenaline Junkie’”
- After just one or two messages on Hinge, she says, “My Hinge is acting up. Text me on WhatsApp,” and sends a phone number with a foreign country code.
Tip: If someone insists on moving to another app or platform quickly, politely decline until you’ve gotten to know them better on Hinge.
Red Flag: They shower you with compliments and affection right away—“You’re my soulmate,” “I’ve never felt such a strong connection with anyone,” or “I can’t stop thinking about you.” This approach is known as “love bombing” and is a classic scam tactic to gain your trust.
Example: “Lucas, 42, ‘Business Consultant’”
- Within two days of chatting, Lucas talks about wanting to meet your family, move in together, or start a serious relationship. He claims your connection is “fate” or “destiny.”
Tip: While genuine, swift connections can happen, be wary if it feels over-the-top or manipulative. Real relationships usually develop over time.
5. Sob Stories and Sudden Requests for Money
Red Flag: After building a level of comfort, they come up with an emergency or a financial crisis. It could be a family member’s medical bill, a sudden accident, or trouble getting back home from a trip. Scammers often frame it as a short-term loan, promising quick repayment.
Example: “Chris, 31, ‘NGO Worker Overseas’”
- Tells you he’s on a humanitarian trip and needs urgent funds because his wallet was stolen, or he’s stuck in customs. He promises to pay you back as soon as he’s home.
- If you say no, he might pressure or guilt-trip you (“Don’t you care about me?”).
Tip: Never send money to someone you’ve never met in person, no matter the sob story. Real emergencies happen, but legitimate friends or organizations can help without pressuring strangers online.
6. Crypto and Investment Schemes
Red Flag: They bring up a “great investment opportunity” and claim they can teach you to invest in cryptocurrencies or other get-rich-quick schemes. They might show fake screenshots of massive returns to entice you.
Example: “Daniel, 36, ‘Crypto Entrepreneur’”
- Boasts that he made six figures trading Bitcoin.
- Encourages you to move your funds to a specific platform or crypto wallet he recommends.
- Creates urgency, saying “The market is hot right now—don’t miss out!”
Tip: If someone you’ve just met online pushes you to invest, especially in unverified or shady platforms, it’s almost certainly a scam. Block and report this user.
7. Inconsistent or Suspicious Communication Style
Red Flag: Poor grammar and phrasing that doesn’t match their claimed background or location. Or, they may respond at odd hours (e.g., 3 AM local time) yet claim to live in your area. Sometimes, a scammer’s writing style shifts mid-conversation, suggesting multiple people may be operating the account.
Example: “Hannah, 27, ‘Fashion Designer’”
- Her profile says she lives in NYC and has a design degree from Parsons, yet her messages are riddled with non-native English mistakes.
- She avoids local references (restaurants, streets) that a true NYC resident would know.
Tip: Ask a few harmless location-based questions to see if they really know the area. Watch for inconsistent or vague answers.
8. Reluctance to Video Chat or Meet in Person
Red Flag: They always have an excuse for why they can’t meet in person, whether it’s a sudden trip, a military deployment, or working “overseas.” They also dodge video calls or claim their camera is broken, phone is lost, etc.
Example: “Angela, 34, ‘Engineer in the UK’”
- You ask for a casual FaceTime. She says her phone is broken or her job restricts video calls for security reasons.
- She perpetually postpones any in-person meeting, even if she claims to be just a few miles away.
Tip: Genuine matches usually look forward to meeting if the connection seems promising. Long-term stalling is a telltale scam sign.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
- Stop Communication: Disengage if your gut feeling tells you something’s off.
- Never Send Money: No matter how urgent or emotional the request, do not transfer money or provide financial details.
- Report the Profile: Use Hinge’s report feature to alert the platform. This helps protect other users as well.
- Block the User: Protect yourself from further contact or harassment.
- Protect Your Personal Info: Avoid sharing your address, workplace details, or other identifying information with strangers.
Stay Safe, Stay Savvy
While it’s possible to form incredible connections through dating apps, being aware of common red flags is crucial. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and remember: no legitimate match will pressure you for money, personal data, or push you into questionable investment schemes. By knowing how to spot and report suspicious activity, you’ll keep your online dating experiences safer and more rewarding.
