GITNUX REPORT 2024

Fake Online Dating Profiles Statistics: Shocking Facts About Deceptive Profiles

55% of online daters experience threats or problems, revealing shocking statistics on fake dating profiles.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

Romance scams cost Americans $304 million in 2020

Statistic 2

10% of dating profiles are fake

Statistic 3

12% of dating profiles are fake on some popular dating apps

Statistic 4

15% of adult Americans have used online dating sites or mobile dating apps

Statistic 5

30% of U.S. adults have used a dating app or website

Statistic 6

22% of online daters have asked someone to help create their profile

Statistic 7

22% of online daters have asked someone to help them create or review their profile

Statistic 8

23% of online daters have asked someone for help with their profile

Statistic 9

33% of women use photos that are at least 5 years old

Statistic 10

40% of men lie about their jobs

Statistic 11

20% of women admit to using an older photo

Statistic 12

Men are 97% more likely to use fake profile photos than women

Statistic 13

71% of people lie about their weight on dating sites

Statistic 14

33% of men lie about their age on dating profiles

Statistic 15

53% of online daters lie about their height

Statistic 16

48% of online daters lie about their income

Statistic 17

44% of online daters lie about their age

Statistic 18

41% of online daters lie about their profession

Statistic 19

50% of online daters lie about their physical appearance

Statistic 20

1 in 7 dating profiles is a scam

Statistic 21

25% of scam victims are asked to help transfer money

Statistic 22

18% of online daters have had their accounts hacked

Statistic 23

9% of online daters have had their devices infected with malware

Statistic 24

17% of online daters have shared private or sensitive details with someone they've never met in person

Statistic 25

14% of online daters have shared their home address with someone they met on a dating site

Statistic 26

19% of online daters have had their private or sensitive details shared without their permission

Statistic 27

55% of online daters have experienced some form of threat or problem

Statistic 28

25% of online daters have had someone threaten to physically harm them

Statistic 29

18% of online daters have had their device infected with malware or a virus

Statistic 30

53% of Americans lie on their dating profiles

Statistic 31

33% of women have sex on the first online dating encounter

Statistic 32

43% of online daters have lied in their profiles

Statistic 33

16% of online daters have paid to use an online dating service

Statistic 34

27% of online daters have used a dating website or app's blocking features

Statistic 35

23% of online daters have paid to use online dating services

Statistic 36

46% of online daters say it was important to them that the profiles they looked at included a person's religious beliefs

Statistic 37

64% of online daters say common interests are the most important factor in finding a potential partner online

Statistic 38

16% of online daters have shared embarrassing details about themselves with a match

Statistic 39

56% of dating app users have encountered a fake profile

Statistic 40

28% of online daters have been contacted in a way that made them feel harassed or uncomfortable

Statistic 41

50% of online daters have met someone in person who didn't match their profile

Statistic 42

30% of female online daters have blocked someone on a dating site or app

Statistic 43

45% of online dating users say it has made them feel frustrated

Statistic 44

25% of online daters have had someone continue to contact them after they said they were not interested

Statistic 45

39% of online dating users say it's hard to find people they were physically attracted to

Statistic 46

57% of online daters say their personal experiences with dating sites or apps have been very or somewhat positive

Statistic 47

42% of female online daters have experienced offensive or disrespectful messages

Statistic 48

32% of female online daters say someone continued to contact them after they said they weren't interested

Statistic 49

37% of online daters find it difficult to find others who share their hobbies and interests

Statistic 50

20% of committed relationships began online

Statistic 51

17% of marriages in 2019 started from online dating

Statistic 52

12% of Americans have married or been in a committed relationship with someone they met through online dating

Statistic 53

45% of online dating users say it has made them feel more frustrated than hopeful

Statistic 54

33% of women who use online dating services have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app

Statistic 55

66% of online daters have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app

Statistic 56

48% of online daters believe it's difficult to know if someone is being truthful

Statistic 57

54% of online daters believe someone has seriously misrepresented themselves in their profile

Statistic 58

59% of Americans believe online dating is a good way to meet people

Statistic 59

51% of online daters believe it's very common for people to set up fake accounts to scam others

Statistic 60

31% of online daters consider online dating to be neither safe nor dangerous

Statistic 61

59% of internet users say online dating is a good way to meet people

Statistic 62

31% of online daters consider online dating to be more dangerous than other ways of meeting people

Statistic 63

52% of online daters believe that dating sites and apps are a safe way to meet people

Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges

Summary

  • 10% of dating profiles are fake
  • 53% of Americans lie on their dating profiles
  • 33% of women use photos that are at least 5 years old
  • 40% of men lie about their jobs
  • 20% of women admit to using an older photo
  • 1 in 7 dating profiles is a scam
  • Romance scams cost Americans $304 million in 2020
  • 56% of dating app users have encountered a fake profile
  • 25% of scam victims are asked to help transfer money
  • Men are 97% more likely to use fake profile photos than women
  • 48% of online daters believe it's difficult to know if someone is being truthful
  • 71% of people lie about their weight on dating sites
  • 18% of online daters have had their accounts hacked
  • 33% of women have sex on the first online dating encounter
  • 22% of online daters have asked someone to help create their profile

Swipe Left on Fake Love: The Shocking Truth About Online Dating Deception Revealed! Did you know that in the digital world of romance, 10% of profiles are as phony as a catfish? From outdated photos to inflated job titles, the stats dont lie: 53% of Americans are bending the truth on their profiles, and men are 97% more likely to sport a fake profile pic than women. With romance scams hitting a staggering $304 million in 2020 and 50% of daters experiencing in-person discrepancies, its clear that finding true love online can be more of a gamble than a jackpot. Read on for a deep dive into the murky waters of online dating deception, where even Cupid might struggle to shoot straight!

Financial Impact

  • Romance scams cost Americans $304 million in 2020

Interpretation

In a world where romance can be just a swipe away, hearts aren't the only things getting broken. With romance scams costing Americans a whopping $304 million in 2020, it seems that love isn't the only thing blind these days—sometimes it's bank accounts too. So, before you fall head over heels for that too-good-to-be-true online match, maybe it's time to swipe left on potential heartbreak and right on financial security. Love may be priceless, but protection against scams? That's definitely worth a pretty penny.

Prevalence

  • 10% of dating profiles are fake
  • 12% of dating profiles are fake on some popular dating apps
  • 15% of adult Americans have used online dating sites or mobile dating apps
  • 30% of U.S. adults have used a dating app or website

Interpretation

In the world of online dating, it seems that the quest for love is sometimes clouded by a shadow of deception. With 10% or even 12% of dating profiles being fake, it's clear that not everyone is who they claim to be in the digital dating realm. Yet, despite the prevalence of fraudsters and catfishers, a staggering 15% of adult Americans have still dipped their toes into the waters of online matchmaking, with a bold 30% of U.S. adults opting to seek romance through a dating app or website. In this landscape of mixed signals and inflated numbers, one thing is certain – the search for love in the modern age comes with its own set of challenges and risks.

Profile Creation

  • 22% of online daters have asked someone to help create their profile
  • 22% of online daters have asked someone to help them create or review their profile
  • 23% of online daters have asked someone for help with their profile

Interpretation

It appears that in the vast and sometimes treacherous world of online dating, a significant portion of hopeful romantics are seeking some much-needed assistance in crafting their digital personas. With almost a quarter of online daters enlisting the help of friends, family, or perhaps even their stylist to optimize their profiles, one can't help but wonder if Cupid may need to outsource his matchmaking duties to a team of trusted advisors. It seems that love may indeed be a group project, with every witty bio and carefully curated photo standing as a collaborative effort towards finding that elusive connection in the digital dating jungle.

Profile Deception

  • 33% of women use photos that are at least 5 years old
  • 40% of men lie about their jobs
  • 20% of women admit to using an older photo
  • Men are 97% more likely to use fake profile photos than women
  • 71% of people lie about their weight on dating sites
  • 33% of men lie about their age on dating profiles
  • 53% of online daters lie about their height
  • 48% of online daters lie about their income
  • 44% of online daters lie about their age
  • 41% of online daters lie about their profession
  • 50% of online daters lie about their physical appearance

Interpretation

In the world of online dating, it seems like honesty is the rarest gem of all, with statistics revealing a dazzling array of embellishments and deceptions. From using outdated photos to inflating job titles, it appears that the digital quest for love is a minefield of half-truths and fabrications. Men, in particular, seem to wield the Photoshop wand with abandon, while nearly three-quarters of all daters can't resist shaving a few pounds off their virtual selves. It's a dizzying dance of deception where age, height, income, and even physical appearance are fair game for a little creative storytelling. In this virtual masquerade, one can't help but wonder if love at first sight is truly possible, or if we're all just swiping right on a carefully curated illusion.

Scams and Fraud

  • 1 in 7 dating profiles is a scam
  • 25% of scam victims are asked to help transfer money

Interpretation

In the world of online dating, navigating through the virtual sea of profiles can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, except in this case, one in seven needles might just be a sneaky scam waiting to prick you. With a quarter of scam victims being asked to play the role of a financial cupid by transferring money, it's clear that love isn't the only thing potentially blind in the online dating realm. So, before swiping right, it might be wise to sharpen those skeptical instincts and keep a vigilant eye out for any red flags fluttering in the digital breeze.

Security Risks

  • 18% of online daters have had their accounts hacked
  • 9% of online daters have had their devices infected with malware
  • 17% of online daters have shared private or sensitive details with someone they've never met in person
  • 14% of online daters have shared their home address with someone they met on a dating site
  • 19% of online daters have had their private or sensitive details shared without their permission
  • 55% of online daters have experienced some form of threat or problem
  • 25% of online daters have had someone threaten to physically harm them
  • 18% of online daters have had their device infected with malware or a virus

Interpretation

In the world of online dating, it seems the quest for love is not without its digital dangers. With a staggering 18% of online daters falling victim to account hacking, 9% battling sneaky malware, and 17% sharing intimate details with virtual strangers, it's clear that hearts aren't the only things at risk of being broken in the digital dating realm. From reckless address sharing to unauthorized data leaks, it appears that Cupid's arrow is sometimes accompanied by a cyber threat. So, for those navigating the treacherous waters of online romance, remember to guard not only your heart but also your privacy with all the cunning of a digital Sherlock Holmes.

User Behavior

  • 53% of Americans lie on their dating profiles
  • 33% of women have sex on the first online dating encounter
  • 43% of online daters have lied in their profiles
  • 16% of online daters have paid to use an online dating service
  • 27% of online daters have used a dating website or app's blocking features
  • 23% of online daters have paid to use online dating services
  • 46% of online daters say it was important to them that the profiles they looked at included a person's religious beliefs
  • 64% of online daters say common interests are the most important factor in finding a potential partner online
  • 16% of online daters have shared embarrassing details about themselves with a match

Interpretation

In the modern world of online dating, where digital avatars dance to the tune of swipe rights and lefts, it seems truth is but a distant relative to the perfect profile picture. With a whopping 53% of Americans cooking up a storm of lies to garnish their online personas, it's clear that authenticity may have taken a backseat in the quest for virtual love. While some wield truth like a sacred sword, others dive headfirst into the murky waters of first-date intimacy, with 33% of women breaking societal norms by unwrapping their desires on the digital dinner table. And let's not forget the 43% who sprinkle their profiles with pinches of deceit like a crafty chef, or the 16% who show their dedication to love by swiping their credit cards for a shot at online romance. In this convoluted web of hearts and pixels, one thing is clear: while some seek solace in shared spiritual beliefs or zip through profiles in search of a matching love for mango salsa, there remains a humble 16% who bravely lay bare their quirks in the name of connection. Love in the time of algorithms truly is a grand masquerade.

User Experience

  • 56% of dating app users have encountered a fake profile
  • 28% of online daters have been contacted in a way that made them feel harassed or uncomfortable
  • 50% of online daters have met someone in person who didn't match their profile
  • 30% of female online daters have blocked someone on a dating site or app
  • 45% of online dating users say it has made them feel frustrated
  • 25% of online daters have had someone continue to contact them after they said they were not interested
  • 39% of online dating users say it's hard to find people they were physically attracted to
  • 57% of online daters say their personal experiences with dating sites or apps have been very or somewhat positive
  • 42% of female online daters have experienced offensive or disrespectful messages
  • 32% of female online daters say someone continued to contact them after they said they weren't interested
  • 37% of online daters find it difficult to find others who share their hobbies and interests
  • 20% of committed relationships began online
  • 17% of marriages in 2019 started from online dating
  • 12% of Americans have married or been in a committed relationship with someone they met through online dating
  • 45% of online dating users say it has made them feel more frustrated than hopeful
  • 33% of women who use online dating services have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app
  • 66% of online daters have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app

Interpretation

Ah, the wild world of online dating - where 56% of users have likely honed their detective skills in spotting fake profiles, while 28% have mastered the art of gracefully dodging uncomfortable interactions. It's a battlefield out there, with 50% of daters finding themselves face-to-face with a real-life mismatch and 30% of women resorting to digital block buttons. Yet, amidst the frustration and unsolicited persistence, there are success stories to be found in the 20% of committed relationships and 17% of marriages that blossomed in the digital realm. So, as we swipe left on the haters and navigate the murky waters of finding someone who shares our hobbies and interests, let's remember that love - or at least a decent date - may just be a click away.

User Perception

  • 48% of online daters believe it's difficult to know if someone is being truthful
  • 54% of online daters believe someone has seriously misrepresented themselves in their profile
  • 59% of Americans believe online dating is a good way to meet people
  • 51% of online daters believe it's very common for people to set up fake accounts to scam others
  • 31% of online daters consider online dating to be neither safe nor dangerous
  • 59% of internet users say online dating is a good way to meet people
  • 31% of online daters consider online dating to be more dangerous than other ways of meeting people
  • 52% of online daters believe that dating sites and apps are a safe way to meet people

Interpretation

In the tangled web of online dating, perception often blurs with reality. With nearly half of online daters feeling uncertain about the truthfulness of profiles and over half encountering serious misrepresentations, it's no wonder skepticism runs high in the virtual realm of romance. Yet, amidst the skepticism, there’s a prevailing belief in the potential of online dating as a fruitful avenue to connect with others. While some view it as a safe and effective way to meet potential partners, others see it as a treacherous minefield where deception lurks around every swipe. As opinions fluctuate between hope and caution, one thing is clear: in the digital tango of modern courtship, discernment and a healthy dose of skepticism are essential dance partners.

References