Besides finding love on OkCupid, you can also find friends, hookups, and you know it: scammers. Yep, it’s been nearly two decades since the dating site was released, but it still struggles with fake accounts. 

With that being said, let’s see just what’s up with OkCupid and scammers: how to spot them, protect yourself, and more…

Why Scammers Target OkCupid

When I first joined OkCupid, I was excited to meet someone genuine. But it didn’t take long to notice a few sketchy profiles—flawless photos, super sweet messages, and vibes that just felt…off. It was similar to the Hinge catfish.

Scammers love OkCupid because it’s easy to join and even easier to fake a perfect life. And with all the personal profile prompts, they get just enough info to play into your emotions. If you’re looking for love or feeling a little lonely, they know exactly what to say.

Some even use sad stories to gain sympathy—pretending they’re going through a rough time just to earn your trust (and sometimes, your money). It’s sneaky, and I’ve seen people fall for it. I almost did too.

That’s why it’s so important to spot the signs early—before things get too personal.

How to tell if a suspicious OkCupid profile is fake?

1. Suspicious Photos

One of the first things I look at is their photos. If they only have one or two, and they look like they came straight from a modeling agency, I get suspicious. Real people usually have casual selfies, group pics, or something that shows a hobby or daily life.

I’ve seen fake profiles with weirdly cropped photos, blurry images, or even ones with watermarks still on them. That’s a dead giveaway the photo was taken from somewhere else—probably social media or a stock photo site.

Now, I only trust profiles with multiple, natural-looking pictures. Bonus points if the background looks familiar or matches the location they say they’re in.

2. Reverse Face Search

Whenever I’m unsure about someone’s photo, I run a reverse image search—every time. My go-to is ProFaceFinder, but there are a few other good ones like FaceCheck.ID or SocialCatfish.

It’s super easy. I just upload the photo, wait a minute or two, and the tool shows me where else that face appears online. A few times, I found the same picture linked to totally different names, Instagram profiles, even modeling pages. That’s when I knew I was being played.

Honestly, it takes less than five minutes, and it can save you from weeks of fake conversations—or worse.

3. Strange Bios and Prompts

Bios can say a lot—especially when they say nothing at all. I’ve come across plenty of profiles that look decent at first, but their prompts are super generic. Things like “Just here for something real 💕” or “I’ll tell you later 😉” don’t give you anything to work with.

Some catfishes go the other route and try too hard. Their bios are filled with hearts, emojis, overly flirty lines, or they drop a link to something sketchy. And if they include a social media handle? I always check it out. Nine times out of ten, it leads to a blank or brand-new account.

Real people usually sound like themselves—quirky, funny, even a little awkward. When a profile feels too polished or weirdly blank, I take a step back.

4. Location Lies and Excuses

One thing I’ve learned to always double-check is someone’s location. I usually ask casually where they’re based, and sometimes, the answers just don’t line up. One person told me they lived in my city, but their photos had palm trees and beach views… in the middle of winter.

Later, they changed their story and said they were “traveling for work.” That’s a classic move. Scammers often claim to be overseas or constantly moving—it’s their go-to excuse for why they can’t meet or video chat.

If someone keeps dodging questions about where they are, or the details feel off, I trust my gut and move on. Real people are where they say they are.

5. They Avoid Video Calls or Meetings

This one’s a biggie. If someone’s serious about connecting, they won’t avoid a quick FaceTime or video chat. But every time I asked certain matches to hop on a call, I’d get excuses like “My camera’s broken” or “I’m not comfortable with video.”

Once or twice is understandable—but if it keeps happening, that’s a red flag. In my experience, catfishes never want to show their real face, because it’s not their face.

Now, I make it simple: no video call, no meetup. If they’re not willing to show up on screen for even five minutes, they’re probably not who they say they are.

6. Too Much, Too Fast

Ever match with someone who’s instantly obsessed with you? Like, they’re calling you “babe” within a few messages and saying things like “I’ve never felt this connection before”? Yeah… that’s not love—it’s a red flag.

Catfishes love to move fast. They’ll shower you with compliments, act super affectionate, and sometimes even drop the “I love you” bomb way too soon. It’s called love bombing, and it’s meant to pull you in quickly before you start asking too many questions.

Don’t get me wrong—flirting is fun. But when it’s constant and overly intense from the jump, I pause. Real relationships build over time. Scams move at lightning speed.

7. Empty or Sketchy Social Media

Whenever someone links their Instagram or says “You can find me on Facebook,” I always check it out. It’s one of the easiest ways to tell if they’re legit.

Here’s what I look for:

• Does their profile look new?
• Are there any real posts?
• Do they have friends or followers?
• Have they been tagged in group photos?

Most catfishes either have no social media at all, or what they do have looks fake—like one or two photos, barely any interaction, or stock-looking images. If it feels empty or too curated, that’s a warning sign for me.

A real person leaves digital footprints. A fake one just hopes you won’t check.

8. They Get Your Info, Then Things Get Weird

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Never give out your personal info too soon.

Once, I shared my phone number with someone I had been chatting with for just a few days. Right after that, I started getting random spam calls and weird texts. Total regret.

Scammers sometimes aren’t just looking for emotional attention—they’re after your data too. Your number, your email, even little details about your life can be used against you later.

Now, I keep it simple: no phone numbers, no personal emails, no private details until I’m absolutely sure the person is real—and even then, I’m careful.

OkCupid common scams you might face

Unfortunately, not every scammer on OkCupid asks for money right away. Some play the long game. Here are the most common scams I’ve come across—or heard about from others:

The Romance Scam

This one feels the most believable at first. You connect, talk often, and they seem to really get you. Compliments, deep chats, even virtual “dates.” Then, out of nowhere, something happens. Maybe they’re stuck overseas, maybe they lost their job, or their rent is overdue. And guess what—they need help.

I’ve had someone tell me they loved me after just a few days. When I started to get suspicious and pushed back, I was either ghosted or hit with a guilt trip.

The Crypto Investment Scam

One match I had seemed great—ambitious, successful, and into long-term goals. But a week in, they started talking about investing. They promised I could make easy money through a crypto platform they “used all the time.”

Spoiler: it was a scam. People have lost thousands to this one. You send money in, and you never see it—or them—again.

The “Sent You a Gift” Scam

This one’s sneaky. The scammer showers you with affection, then says they’ve mailed you a special package—flowers, perfume, even expensive stuff. Then a fake shipping company emails you saying there’s a fee to release the gift.

Let me be clear: there is no gift. You’re just paying to be scammed.

The Medical Emergency Scam

This one hits hard emotionally. The scammer pretends to be sick—or says their parent, sibling, or even pet is. They tell heartbreaking stories about cancer, surgery, or accidents. You feel bad. You want to help. That’s the trap.

I’ve heard of people sending hundreds, even thousands, to someone they never met. All because they were manipulated into feeling responsible for a stranger’s crisis.

How to Protect Yourself on OkCupid

After a few close calls, I’ve started treating online dating a lot more carefully. These days, I’ve got a little checklist I run through with every match—and honestly, it’s saved me from a ton of nonsense. Here’s what I stick to:

Stick to Photo-Verified Profiles

If someone hasn’t verified their profile photo, I get cautious right away. Most catfishers can’t verify because they’re using someone else’s pics. If they’re real, they’ll have no problem getting verified.

FaceTime Before You Meet

This is non-negotiable for me. Before I ever agree to meet in person, I ask for a quick video chat. Nothing fancy—just a couple minutes to say hi. If they’re real, it’s not a big deal. If they make excuses? That’s my sign to move on.

Meet in Public (Always)

If the video call goes well and we decide to meet, it’s always in a public place. Coffee shops, parks, anywhere with people around. No rides, no isolated spots, and I always let a friend know where I’ll be.

Reverse Image Search Everything

Yep—every photo. It’s such a quick step, and it tells me a lot. I’ve avoided a few fake profiles just by dropping a pic into ProFaceFinder or FaceCheck.ID and seeing where else it showed up.

Don’t Share Personal Info Early

No last names, no phone numbers, and definitely no home address. I learned this the hard way. Even something as small as your city or workplace can be enough for someone to dig deeper than you’d expect.

Trust Your Gut

If something feels off—even if you can’t explain why—I listen to that feeling. Catfishers are good at what they do, but your gut is better. If they move too fast, act shady, or the vibe just doesn’t sit right, it’s okay to unmatch and walk away.