TikTok Dating Scams: What You Need to Know

TikTok isn’t a dating app. So why are romance scams thriving there?

TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the world. Millions of people scroll, post videos, comment, and share details about their lives every day. People talk about breakups, dating struggles, loneliness, divorce, or moving to a new country.

But when you combine a huge user base with personal storytelling and open messaging, scammers see dollar signs. They don’t need a dating feature. They just need targets to fall for the bait.

According to the Bitdefender 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey, 34% of scams are delivered via social media, making it the top scam channel. Younger users are particularly vulnerable — they’re twice as likely to be scammed compared to older generations — and 37% of consumers list sophisticated AI-driven scams as their top AI concern.

Romance scams on TikTok often start in the comments section. They reply to a video. They compliment someone. They slowly move the conversation into private messages. Very quickly, they suggest continuing the chat on WhatsApp, Telegram, or another app.

From there, things escalate.

Here’s a short breakdown:

• Initial contact: The scammer reviews a target’s profile and sends the first message — a follow, a compliment, a reply to a comment.
• Building rapport with the victim: They start with questions that may seem innocuous but are actually probing targets: “What do you like doing most? Where did you grow up?” so they can mirror your likes, your dreams, and your emotions.
• Creating intimacy: After a few days or weeks, they begin sharing personal stories (often fabricated) to make you feel special.

But scammers also use calculated psychological levers to make their victims emotionally committed before requesting money or services.  They provide overwhelming attention and flattery (love bombing), they mimic your interests, play victim to evoke your sympathy, and may subtly discourage you from talking to friends and family.

AI Makes Things Easier

Romance scams used to be easier to recognize. Now there’s no more obvious fake photos, broken English, or copy-paste messages. With AI tools, one scammer can now manage dozens of conversations at a time without sounding repetitive or tired.

In some reported cases, including stories involving fake Ukrainian dating narratives, scammers built emotional backstories about war, relocation, or financial hardship to gain sympathy. AI-generated photos and scripted conversations made these personas feel real and detailed.

Scammers use:

• AI-generated profile pictures that look like real people
• Chatbots that write fluent, emotionally aware messages
• AI translation tools to eliminate grammar mistakes
• Deepfake audio or video to appear credible in real time
• Fake documents and screenshots from chats, banking applications.

Victims who later discovered they were talking to bots or fake profiles said the warning signs were subtle:

• Responses felt slightly scripted or repetitive
• Replies were instant and almost too perfect
• Photos looked unnatural or overly polished
• They avoided spontaneous voice or live video calls
• They asked for unusual favors early in the conversation

When Romance Turns Into Extortion

Some TikTok dating scams don’t stop at emotional manipulation or money requests.

After building trust, scammers may ask for intimate photos or videos. Once they have them, the tone shifts. Suddenly there’s a threat: pay, or this will be shared with friends and followers. AI-powered chat systems make this escalation faster and more convincing.

How to Avoid Falling for a Romance Scam on TikTok

Romance scammers don’t necessarily flaunt red flags from the beginning, but there are some very important rules you can set to help you stay safer:

• Slow down when meeting new people online. Real relationships take time. Anyone whose professing affection within days should make you suspicious.
• Be cautious if they want to move you off the platform quickly. When the initial vibe seems good, you might think it’s no big deal, but scammers will always want you to move to a private messaging app.
• If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Does your romantic interest reply instantly?  Are messages written flawlessly?
• Golden Rule: Never send money or intimate content to someone you haven’t met in real life.
• Check suspicious links before clicking. If someone sends you a payment link or verification page, scan it first using Bitdefender Link Checker to see if it’s malicious.

Use AI to detect AI-driven scams.
If you’re unsure about a conversation, paste it into Bitdefender Scamio. Scamio is a free AI-powered scam detector that helps analyze messages, links, and scenarios to determine if they show signs of fraud.

FAQs

What signs does a dating scammer give off?

Common signs include asking you to move the conversation to another app quickly, expressing strong feelings very early on, and refusing to meet in person. Other signs include using photos that look overly polished or slightly artificial, and asking for money, crypto, gift cards, or financial “help.” Lastly, they may request intimate photos.

AI may make conversations smoother, but urgency and unusual requests are still major red flags.

Is TikTok dating safe?

TikTok isn’t a dating app, but people do form connections there. The platform can be safe if you maintain boundaries and verify who you’re speaking to. Never send money or personal content to someone you’ve only met online. Be cautious about moving conversations to private apps. And always verify suspicious links or messages before engaging further.

How to tell if someone is a catfish on TikTok?

Signs someone may be a catfish include:

• Refusing spontaneous video calls
• Using photos that don’t appear anywhere else online (or look AI-generated)
• Having very few personal videos but highly polished profile pictures
• Inconsistent personal details
• Responding instantly at all hours with perfectly structured messages

If you suspect deception, reverse-image search profile pictures and analyze suspicious messages with Bitdefender Scamio for additional insight.