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The FBI office in Miami issued an official alert this Thursday to residents of South Florida regarding an increase in violent robberies related to dating apps, a criminal method that combines online romantic deception with physical violence.
Authorities indicate that while scams through dating platforms have been operating for years, this particular variant is especially serious.
“Although dating scams have existed for years, this one is particularly dangerous due to the violence involved,” warned officials from the FBI.
How do criminals operate?
The scheme works as follows: criminals create profiles on apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, or Facebook Dating, pretending to be a legitimate romantic interest and suggesting a private meeting with their victim.
Once the person arrives for the appointment, the meeting turns into an assault.
The FBI documented at least one case in which the situation escalated alarmingly.
"In one incident, the encounter ended with the individual displaying a firearm and stealing belongings and cash from the victim; he then forced the victim to withdraw money from an ATM," the agency reported.
Adam Berry, special deputy in charge of the FBI in Miami, was the spokesperson for the alert, and emphasized the vulnerability of those seeking a genuine relationship.
"A criminal posing as a legitimate romantic interest can take advantage of a potential victim seeking a loving relationship," Berry said.
"We urge those using dating apps to protect themselves. Make sure to take precautions to avoid falling into a dangerous situation," he added.
Four measures to protect yourself
The FBI offers specific recommendations for those using these platforms:
- Do not disclose your net worth or personal financial information to strangers.
- Always stay in a safe and public place, remaining aware of your surroundings.
- Never share personal identification information (full name, address, social security number) with anyone through an app.
- Be wary of unverified profiles on dating apps, especially those with overly professional-looking photos or who avoid answering direct questions about their identity.
Cybersecurity experts add additional complementary precautions:
-use an alias or pseudonym on the platform.
-disable precise location within the app
- conduct a video call before meeting someone in person to verify their identity.
-Inform a family member or friend before going to any meeting with someone known online.
A pattern that is on the rise
This alert is not the first one issued by the FBI Miami in recent months.
In April 2026, the agency had already warned about fake federal agents operating in Miami demanding money from Hispanic immigrants under the threat of deportation.
A year ago, in April 2025, the office warned about an increase in identity theft scams through phone calls with spoofed identifiers.
The pattern of thefts through dating apps is not exclusive to South Florida: similar cases have been documented in Texas, and in Pompano Beach, a man was arrested for kidnapping a woman he met through one of these platforms.
Nationally, the figures reflect a concerning trend.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded 672 million dollars in losses due to confidence and romance scams in 2024, with 17,910 reports.
In 2025, that figure rose to 929 million dollars, which shows a sustained growth year after year.
Those who have been victims of this type of crime can report the case to the IC3 at ic3.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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