The 'vortex' of online dating

Real talk: searching for a connection shouldn't cost you your life savings. A new report from a US congressional investigation has pulled the curtain back on the dark side of dating apps, specifically those owned by Match Group, like Tinder, Hinge, and Plenty of Fish.

One survivor, who only identified herself as Mary, shared that she lost a staggering $100,000 to a scammer she met on Plenty of Fish back in 2024. She described the experience as being caught in a "vortex," where constant pressure and manipulation made her feel like she had no control. She sent the money via crypto before finally realizing she’d been targeted. Sadly, this isn't just one bad experience; romance scams cost Americans at least $1.3 billion every year.

What the report found

The investigation, led by senators Maggie Hassan and Marsha Blackburn, found that Match Group’s internal tech was lowkey slacking. Documents revealed that as of late 2025, Tinder hadn’t updated most of its machine-learning models in years. Because of this, the app struggled to keep pace with evolving threats.

The numbers are wild: through the third quarter of 2025, nearly 1.5 million scammers matched with at least one user on Tinder or Hinge. Even worse, about 500,000 of those accounts successfully swapped contact info with a user. It’s giving major security failure, no cap.

How to protect yourself

Since the investigation started last September, Match Group has rolled out new safety tools, like mandatory video selfie verification for new Tinder users and a new AI model to flag sketchy profiles. Match Group’s VP of trust and safety, Yoel Roth, says they are prioritizing safety, though the company claims the report doesn't accurately reflect their history of investment.

If you're out there swiping, stay vigilant. Don't send money to people you haven't met IRL, and remember that scammers can be super persistent. Senator Hassan is also pushing for a central portal where people can report scams and actually get help from law enforcement.

Why it matters

Romance scams are becoming more "supercharged" thanks to AI and global criminal networks. This report shows that tech companies need to stay proactive—not reactive—to keep users safe from being exploited while just trying to find a date.