Fake profiles and bots: how to spot them on a dating app
In short
A fake profile uses stolen or catalog-style photos and a thin bio. Replies are scripted, slightly off-topic or suspiciously intense, and the person avoids voice and video. Fakes are the starting point of almost every dating scam - spot the profile, and you skip the script.
How it usually goes
- Polished photos, few details, sometimes a messenger handle in the bio.
- Fast compliments and generic questions that fit anyone.
- Excuses when you ask for a voice note or video.
- A push toward another app, a link or money.
Signs to spot
- Photos look like a catalog shoot, and there's almost nothing about them
- Replies feel scripted or off-topic - or turn intensely romantic within a day
- Avoids voice and video: “my mic is broken”, “later”
What the messages look like
hey handsome 😘 you look interesting, what are you looking for here?
sorry my mic doesn't work, can't send voice. tell me more about you 🙈
Typical wording used by scammers on dating apps and messengers.
What to do
- Ask for a voice message in the chat - fakes and bots usually dodge it.
- Run a reverse image search on the photos.
- Prefer verified profiles and report the ones that feel off.
Flava is for adults 18+.