$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
dating app recording threat scam
A match on a dating app lures the victim into a video call, captures intimate moments, then threatens to share the recording unless a payment is made.
“sextortion scam”
↑ 73%Key indicators
Usually targetsYoung adults
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$900
median reported loss
Typical range$180 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~5%
Annual reports26,718
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create attractive fake profiles on dating apps and initiate flirty conversations.
2
They suggest a video call and encourage the victim to undress or engage in sexual activity on camera while secretly recording.
3
After the call, the scammer sends a screenshot and demands payment — often via gift cards or cryptocurrency — threatening to post the video publicly.
What to do first
Do not pay — payment rarely stops the threats and often leads to increased demands.
Related terms
dating video blackmailromance recording scamvideo call extortionSextortion scamsSocial mediaRisingYoung adultsAdultsEducators and studentsParents and familiesUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadadating video blackmailromance recording scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Nicole, 24, a young adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate sextortion scams situation while using Social media. Scammers create attractive fake profiles on dating apps and initiate flirty conversations.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They suggest a video call and encourage the victim to undress or engage in sexual activity on camera while secretly recording.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: After the call, the scammer sends a screenshot and demands payment — often via gift cards or cryptocurrency — threatening to post the video publicly.
The outcome
Nicole realized something was wrong when a dating match pushes to move to a private video call very quickly. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not pay — payment rarely stops the threats and often leads to increased demands. Nicole's experience shows why a dating match pushes to move to a private video call very quickly and they suggest undressing or engaging in intimate activity on camera are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- A dating match pushes to move to a private video call very quickly
- They suggest undressing or engaging in intimate activity on camera
- Immediately after the call, they threaten to share a recording
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Do not pay — payment rarely stops the threats and often leads to increased demands.
- ✓Block the scammer on all platforms and save evidence of the conversation.
- ✓Report the incident to the dating platform and file a report with local law enforcement.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB reported a significant increase in romance-related extortion complaints in 2024, with dating apps being the primary initial contact method.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Do not pay — payment rarely stops the threats and often leads to increased demands.
- ✓Block the scammer on all platforms and save evidence of the conversation.
- ✓Report the incident to the dating platform and file a report with local law enforcement.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB reported a significant increase in romance-related extortion complaints in 2024, with dating apps being the primary initial contact method.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Young adults, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Social media — Sextortion scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Young adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB reported a significant increase in romance-related extortion complaints in 2024, with dating apps being the primary initial contact method.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about dating app recording threat scam
How does the dating app recording threat scam work?+
Scammers create attractive fake profiles on dating apps and initiate flirty conversations. They suggest a video call and encourage the victim to undress or engage in sexual activity on camera while secretly recording. After the call, the scammer sends a screenshot and demands payment — often via gift cards or cryptocurrency — threatening to post the video publicly.
What are the warning signs of dating app recording threat scam?+
A dating match pushes to move to a private video call very quickly They suggest undressing or engaging in intimate activity on camera Immediately after the call, they threaten to share a recording
What should I do if I encounter dating app recording threat scam?+
Do not pay — payment rarely stops the threats and often leads to increased demands. Block the scammer on all platforms and save evidence of the conversation. Report the incident to the dating platform and file a report with local law enforcement.
Who is most at risk for dating app recording threat scam?+
This scam primarily targets Young adults, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Social media.
Is dating app recording threat scam on the rise?+
dating app recording threat scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.