Report: Czechia is world's sixth-most vulnerable country for dating scams

According to a report from antivirus firm Gen provided to Czech News Agency, the Czech Republic ranks as the sixth most vulnerable country for romance scams and other fraudulent activity on online dating sites.

Leading the list in terms of these kinds of scams is Slovakia, followed by Germany and Hungary. In these high-risk countries, approximately one in 20 individuals may encounter a scammer on a dating platform.

The prevalence of dating scams is not limited to Europe; it is also on the rise in North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Scammers typically establish fake romantic relationships with victims using fictitious online identities to gain trust. Their ultimate aim is to extract money or personal information for identity theft.

Fraudsters employ various tactics to deceive victims, including catfishing on dating apps and using malicious PDF files to hack mobile devices for valuable information. Scammers can spend weeks or even months developing a fake relationship with a victim with the ultimate goal of financial gain.

Warning signs of potential scams include overly attractive profiles, long-distance relationships, rapid relationship development, requests for money, and unfulfilled promises of in-person meetings.

To protect themselves, individuals using dating sites should limit the information they share and exercise caution when interacting with potential dates. Experts recommend conducting reverse image searches to verify the authenticity of profiles and making video calls for additional confirmation.

In addition to the Czech Republic, other countries at high risk of dating scams, in the top ten worldwide according to the Gen report, include Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovenia, and Poland.

As the frequency of these scams continues to increase globally, it is crucial for users to remain vigilant and informed about common tactics used by fraudsters. By staying proactive and aware, individuals can reduce their risk of falling victim to online dating fraud.