Dangers of Dating Apps

Dangers of Dating Apps

Before, we talked about scary apps parents should watch out for in protecting their children. This time we're going to bring up the cautions of dating apps for adults.

You hear it all the time. Some horror story about someone meeting a stranger on a dating app and “hitting it off.” Only to come to the realization that that person is not who they say they are or they managed to con the other person in some aspect. That was the situation for 30 women who were conned through a dating app.

In New Jersey, a man managed to scam these women out of over $2 million. Rubbin Sarpong and a few other accomplices set up fake online dating accounts and pretended to strike up a romantic relationship with random ladies. Sarpong went as far as telling these ladies he was military personnel stationed in Syria and was awarded gold bars that needed to be shipped to the United States. He reportedly told the women the fictitious gold bars were worth $12 million and needed help shipping them overseas. He somehow convinced these women to give him money that will help with the shipping cost and he would fully reimburse them with a “thank you” bonus. Unfortunately, one woman took her own life a day after she wired him $93 thousand.

Another common online dating situation is sexual assault. Rachelle Riffle matched with a man on Mutual, an LDS dating app. They hit it off over online messaging and decided to meet up in person and then later began building a relationship. However, Riffle said he started acting distant, and after two months they broke things off. A sad twist in this story is a few months later, Riffle came across a shocking Deseret News article. She read that the man she dated was charged with multiple felonies related to forcing a woman to perform sex acts. He had met the alleged victim on Mutual, as well. He never harmed Riffle but she did notice “this kind of intense, simmering anger problem,” and that concerned her.

Be Cautious

40 million Americans are using online dating websites. Young or old, there’s no doubt that these apps have the ability to bring people together, but not all users are there to make friends. When using any dating app, it is best to take precautions and be safe by making your first meet in public, telling friends or family members your plans, and have a screenshot of the person’s profile and photos.

RAINN.org has a few more tips to check out when connecting with someone online and what to do when you meet in person:


  • Use different photos for your dating profile. 
  • Avoid connecting with suspicious profiles.
  • Check out your potential date on social media.
  • Block and report suspicious users.
  • Wait to share personal information.
  • Don’t respond to requests for financial help.
  • Video chat before you meet up in person.
  • Tell a friend where you’re going.
  • Meet in a public place.
  • Don’t rely on your date for transportation.
  • Stick to what you’re most comfortable with.
  • Enlist the help of a bartender or waiter.
  • Trust your instincts.


Nowadays people are meeting significant other online and turning to dating apps. While a majority of these people are looking for love, some are using these apps to search for vulnerable victims. An important thing to remember: Trust your instincts! If you feel uncomfortable at any point, leave.

There is Support

Dating isn’t easy, but no one deserves to be mistreated or attacked while on a date. Genuine people are looking for love and use dating apps as a way to meet people they have something in common with.

The Open Door offers sex education and self-help classes to help educate you or help you evaluate yourself as a person. Relationship classes are also available to help re-evaluate, restore, and revive relationships in your life when you find your love. Give us a call at 254-442-3000 to learn more about the classes we have to offer. You can also learn more at www.supportopendoor.org.

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