One in four dating app users targeted by scams: Alarming findings from Norton study

A latest study by Norton, a leading consumer cyber safety brand of Gen, reveals troubling statistics about online dating in Hong Kong. 

One in four current dating app users have been targeted by scams, with a staggering 86 percent of these victims reporting an average financial loss of HK$37,608.

Conducted online by Dynata from December 5 to December 22 last year, the survey included 1,003 adults aged 18 and older. 

It highlights that dating app usage is particularly common among individuals aged 18-44, who spend nearly 8 hours a week on these platforms.

Among the 25 percent of targeted victims, the financial impact is significant, with the highest reported loss reaching HK$1.2 million. 

Also, the survey found that 44 percent of users admitted to providing a false age on their dating profiles, and 67 percent encountered profiles with inaccurate ages.

The most prevalent types of scams identified include romance scams (34 percent) and photo scams (30 percent), along with fake illness or medical scams and catfishing incidents. 

While 37 percent of users have reported suspected scammers or catfish to dating platforms, 60 percent of scam victims have lost personal information, including their name, email, phone number, or age.

To combat these growing threats, Norton advises users to adopt various safety measures, such as downloading a free AI-powered scam detection app and installing device protection software.

(Rachael Ng)