Famous and renowned dating app Tinder is stepping up its efforts to tackle spam and fraudulent accounts by investing in machine learning technology. The popular dating app aims to proactively detect, prevent, and remove spam from its platform using advanced algorithms.
Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, stated that fraudsters frequently utilise social media platforms and online dating services to conduct phishing schemes, create phoney accounts, or divert users to paid sites. Tinder is constantly investing in sophisticated methods for detecting and eliminating fraudulent accounts in order to safeguard the integrity of its services.
Match Group claims that an average of 44 spam accounts are eliminated per minute across its platform portfolio. These suspected fraudulent accounts are either blocked during sign-up or before they are seen by users. To avoid potential harm, approximately 5 million bots and spam accounts were removed between January and March of this year.
Tinder also recently updated its Community Guidelines, emphasizing positive behaviours that contribute to a better experience for all users. As part of these changes, the app will remove social handles from public bios that are used for promoting social profiles, selling items, fundraising, or campaigning.
The success of Tinder’s anti-spam tools and features has prompted their adoption by other Match Group brands, including Hinge, Archer, and Plenty of Fish, with more brands expected to follow suit. By leveraging machine learning and proactive detection, Tinder aims to create a safer and more enjoyable environment for its users.
According to an India Today report, Rebecca Holloway, a woman suffering from a divorce and a rocky second marriage, found herself in a vulnerable position when she fell victim to a Tinder scam. According to the Daily Mail, Rebecca, a mother of three, thought she had found love again through her Tinder connection.
Rebecca met the man on Tinder in March, who identified himself as a French businessman named Fred. Fred, on the other hand, never met her in person and avoided video chats, raising concerns. Rebecca believed their relationship was evolving into something special because they communicated largely through text messages.
Reflecting on the situation, she told the Daily Mail, “Looking back, the signs are so obvious. But at the time you want to believe it’s real.”
To gain Rebecca’s trust, ‘Fred’ shared details about his life, claiming to have a daughter and residing in Philadelphia. As their relationship developed, Fred began discussing his cryptocurrency investments and convinced Rebecca to invest as well.
Initially, Fred convinced her to invest $1,000 in a fake cryptocurrency platform, and Rebecca saw a return of $168 on her initial investment. This success, along with the ability to transfer funds to her bank account, further solidified her trust in Fred and the platform.
Encouraged by the returns, Rebecca invested an additional $6,000, and her investments continued to grow. Eventually, she invested her entire life savings, totalling $401,000 (USD 100,000), but found herself unable to transfer the funds to her bank account.
Rebecca only discovered she had been scammed after a friend informed her about the rise in similar cases. Vulnerable single women in their middle age, like Rebecca, are often targeted in such scams. The allure of a good-looking person showing interest can cloud judgment and make victims more susceptible to manipulation.
This event follows a previous case in Bengaluru, India, in which a 37-year-old woman working for a private firm was duped out of Rs 4.5 lakh (about $6,100) by her Tinder match. The fraudster duped her into thinking they were in love and were going to meet in India, which led her to deposit the money. The woman reported the event to authorities in the hopes of reclaiming her money.