WhatsApp is a brilliant way to keep in touch, which is exactly why romance scammers love it. Getting someone off a dating app, where there are safety checks and reporting tools, and onto WhatsApp is often one of the first steps in a scam. Here’s how to spot the signs and protect yourself.
The short answer
- Scammers often push to move from the dating app to WhatsApp very early.
- Red flags: avoiding video calls, a story about working abroad, rapid declarations of love, and any mention of money or investments.
- Use WhatsApp's privacy settings to limit who can see your photo and details, and to silence unknown callers.
- Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you've only met online.
- If in doubt, stop, talk to someone you trust, call your bank, and report it.
Why scammers move you to WhatsApp
On a dating app, fake profiles can be reported and removed, and the app can see suspicious behaviour. On WhatsApp, none of those checks apply. Once they have your number, a scammer can message you privately, send photos and voice notes, and build a relationship away from anyone else’s view.
That’s why “Let’s chat on WhatsApp, I’m hardly ever on this app” is such a common line. It doesn’t always mean a scam, but it’s a reason to slow down.
The warning signs
Be cautious if someone on WhatsApp…
- asked to move off the dating app within the first few messages
- says they’re working overseas, in the military, on an oil rig, or travelling constantly
- always has a reason why a video call won’t work
- sends lots of affection, “good morning” messages and talk of the future very quickly
- has a profile photo that looks professional or too perfect
- tells stories with details that change
- mentions a problem that money would solve, or an investment that’s “made them a fortune”
- asks you to keep the relationship private from family or friends
Newer tactics to know about
- “Wrong number” messages. A friendly message that seems meant for someone else can turn into a long chat and, eventually, a “relationship”.
- Investment scams. Rather than asking for money for an emergency, they introduce you to a trading or crypto platform. Your “profits” look real until you try to withdraw them.
- Voice notes and short videos. Scammers may send pre-recorded clips to seem genuine, while still refusing a live video call.
Protect yourself with WhatsApp settings
WhatsApp has privacy settings that make it harder for strangers to find out about you. In Settings > Privacy you can:
- Choose who can see your profile photo, About and last seen (for example, only your contacts).
- Control who can add you to groups.
- Turn on Silence unknown callers (under Calls) so calls from numbers not in your contacts don’t ring.
- Run Privacy checkup to review everything in one place.
You can block and report a contact from within the chat. Tap their name, then choose Block or Report.
How to check if they’re real
- Ask for a live video call. A genuine person will usually manage one within a week or two.
- Reverse image search their photos with Google Lens or TinEye.
- Search their name with the word “scam”.
- Ask a friend or relative what they think. It’s much easier to see the pattern from outside.
What to do if you’re worried
If you think it's a scam
- Stop replying and don’t send any money.
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Call your bank straight away if you’ve paid anything. Many UK banks can be reached by dialling 159.
- Report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), or to Police Scotland on 101.
- Block and report the contact in WhatsApp, and report their profile on the dating app where you met.
Suspicious text messages can also be forwarded free to 7726.
Is it ever safe to move to WhatsApp?
Yes. Plenty of genuine couples chat on WhatsApp. The safest approach is to wait until you’ve had a video call, or met in person, before sharing your number. See when should you move from a dating app to WhatsApp? and our full guide to dating app scams targeting over-50s.