Nigeria tops global dating fraud chart

Online dating fraud is a global issue, and now we have new data to back it up. A new study by the University of Bristol, titled, The Geography of Online Dating Fraud, has dug into over 5,000 fake dating profiles, breaking down where these scams come from, who they target, and how they operate.

Let’s dive in because this affects anyone looking for love — or pretending to — in the digital world.

The headlines: Nigeria leads the pack, with over 30% of fraudulent dating profiles traced back there. Add Ghana, South Africa, and the broader West African region, and they account for over 50% of the scams. Other hotspots include Malaysia, the UK, and even the US.

Why it matters: These scammers don’t just hang around your neighbourhood. They target Western countries like the US and UK by pretending to live there. Over 63% of the fake profiles claim to be American, with 11% aiming for Brits. This tactic builds trust and makes them seem relatable.

What’s in their playbook? Fraudsters keep it efficient. They recycle profile pictures and descriptions to churn out fake accounts quickly. West African scammers, in particular, share resources, forming networks that amplify their efforts. One common trick? Posing as “lonely U.S. military personnel” stationed overseas — a classic way to tug at heartstrings (and wallets).

Who are these fake profiles? It depends on the region. In West Africa, most fake accounts portray men in respectable jobs, like engineers or military officers. Meanwhile, profiles from Russia and Ukraine often feature women with professional or academic personas.

In the Philippines, it’s all about mixed-race characters in sales roles. And don’t miss this detail: scammers carefully craft statuses like “widowed” to milk sympathy from their targets.

Why is it hard to catch them? Many fraudsters use proxies to hide their real locations, making it tricky to track them down. However, researchers were able to uncover the real origins of about 11% of these masked accounts through clever text and image analysis.

What should we do about it? This is a global problem, and tackling it requires global teamwork. The study calls for stronger fraud prevention efforts in hotspots like Nigeria and Malaysia and better cross-border collaboration. Western countries, too, need to step up — not just looking abroad but tackling scams happening at home.

If you’re online dating, stay sharp. Those sweet-talking strangers might just be scammers with a playbook that’s getting smarter every day.

Source: techpoint.africa

About Post Author

Samuel

I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos.

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Samuel

I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos.