What Every User Needs to Know: Online Dating Site Accused of Catfishing in Romance Scams, As Law Targets Growing Scam Threat
In 2025, online dating is no longer just about finding love—it’s about navigating deception, fake profiles, and hidden fees. One major dating site has been accused of catfishing its users by promoting a “free” experience, only to later charge monthly subscription fees and lock features behind premium paywalls.
For millions of unsuspecting users, the promise of a romantic connection turned into frustration, emotional harm, and financial loss. This blog breaks down the full details of what happened, how these tactics work, and what you can do to protect yourself from the next scam.
1. What Is a Catfishing Scam in Online Dating—and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Catfishing is when a user on a dating website creates a fake profile to deceive someone, usually to manipulate them emotionally, extract money, or harvest personal information. In this case, the platform itself is under scrutiny for allegedly catfishing by design.
The consumer watchdog says that the platform promoted “free” features, only for users to later discover they had to pay to interact, send messages, or even view profiles. These bait-and-switch models are increasingly common across apps, leaving customers feeling tricked.
What makes this form of scam especially dangerous is that it exploits both technology and human vulnerability. It uses emotional manipulation as a funnel toward a financial transaction, blurring the line between a typical upsell and intentional fraud.
2. Inside the Allegation: What This Dating Site Is Being Accused Of
The dating site at the center of this case was investigated by government bodies, including in Australia, for misleading advertising practices. Authorities allege that the company advertised its website as “free to use,” while in reality requiring users to sign up for premium access to take full advantage of the service.
According to reports, users were prompted to create an account, upload a photo, and share personal details to find potential matches. But to engage in communication-like—viewing full messages, unlocking pictures, or seeing who liked them—they had to pay a monthly fee.
This led to complaints, legal scrutiny, and even mentions in federal hearings about regulating deceptive practices in the online dating industry. The commission in charge of consumer protection stated that the platform failed to adequately inform users of pricing structures, subscription renewal and duration, and cancellation terms.
3. Recognizing Red Flags: How These Platforms Manipulate Users
Fake Free Trials and Locked Features
Many dating apps now display features like “see who viewed you” or “message this person,” only to charge you once you click. These aren’t technical glitches—they’re intentional designs to lure you into an emotional state and convince you to upgrade.
AI-Generated or Fake Profiles
Another common scam tactic is to create fake profiles that look ideal: perfect pictures, no background info, and little interaction. Their only role is to show up in your feed, push you toward engagement, then disappear—or “ghost”—once you’ve paid.
4. How Real Users Are Being Harmed by This Model
For many, the emotional toll of feeling manipulated into paying is worse than the price itself. Several users have filed complaints with local authorities, saying they were led into fake relationships or tricked into thinking they had real matches, only to realize the profiles never responded or vanished after a transaction.
This model doesn’t just trick wallets—it harms hearts. The connection users hoped to make was nothing more than a marketing funnel.
In more severe cases, unsuspecting users were targeted by scammers pretending to be interested in forming an online relationship, only to steal identity documents or even convince victims to send money or invest in fake cryptocurrency or investment scams.
5. What the Law Says: Government Crackdown on Dating Site Deception
Introducing the Online Dating Safety Act
The U.S. government, along with several federal agencies, has responded with proposed legislation like the Online Dating Safety Act. This law would require platforms to:
- Flag and remove suspected scammers and online accounts within 24 hours
- Notify users if they’ve interacted with known fake profiles
- Educate users about red flags, including military impersonation, urgent emotional appeals, and requests to move to WhatsApp or other social media
This move reflects growing pressure on tech providers to not only enable safe online interactions but also to bear responsibility for failing to act on known abuse.
6. How to Protect Yourself From Catfishing and Romance Scams
There are real ways to protect yourself, even as the landscape becomes more sophisticated:
- Search profile images using reverse image tools to detect fakes
- Avoid sharing your password, address, or personal information too early
- Never invest or send money to someone you’ve only met online
- Be cautious if someone wants to move to WhatsApp or use social platforms quickly
- Watch out for sob stories involving emergency, military, or family crises meant to get your sympathy
You should also read every update, email, and in-app page carefully to understand what you’re agreeing to, especially when it involves a premium subscription, monthly charge, or renewal.
7. The Future of Online Dating: More Transparency or More Scams?
This incident is not isolated—it’s part of a growing trend of dating websites and apps being held accountable for user deception. The difference now is that users are more vocal, regulatory bodies are more alert, and technology is both the weapon and the shield.
We’re entering an era where trust is currency. Platforms that fail to foster it will lose their customers. Those who protect their communities will thrive.
If you’re diving into the world of online dating, date wisely, act cautiously, and remember that every match may come with more than just butterflies—it may come with a bill.
