Ensnared in the Lies: ZDF Investigation Reveals "All Fabricated, All Deceitful"
In the digital world, where connections are made in the blink of an eye, a dangerous trend is on the rise. Love scams, also known as romance scams, are becoming increasingly common on dating platforms and social networks, affecting roughly one in four online daters, according to a 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insight Report.
These scams are not limited to dating apps like Plenty of Fish, Bumble, and Hinge, but also extend to social platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. The scammers create fake profiles, build trust, and then solicit money or personal information. In 2021 alone, romance scams led to a record $547 million in reported losses in the U.S., a figure that suggests the problem is growing.
The emotional consequences for victims can be severe and multifaceted. Victims may experience emotional trauma from betrayal, feelings of shame and lowered self-esteem, anxiety and trust issues in forming future relationships, depression and isolation, and even ongoing harassment or threats.
A report titled "All Lies, All Fake - Love Fraud on the Net" from the series "37 Grad" airing at 10:15 PM on ZDF, sheds light on the heartbreaking stories of three women named Anja, Visnja, and Uschi, who fell victim to love scams. Anja, a freelance artist and hedgehog volunteer, was emotionally manipulated by a supposed US businessman who sent her daily compliments. Visnja, a florist from Croatia, was contacted by a US car dealer online. Uschi, a retired woman, was scammed ten years ago and has since offered help to other victims.
The scam typically involves a fast-moving relationship, requests for money or financial help, avoidance of video or in-person meetings, and unwillingness to communicate on secure, platform-monitored channels, pushing conversations to private apps like WhatsApp.
Angela Giese, author of "Love with a Large Age Difference," discusses how fraudsters build emotional relationships with their victims. The emotional manipulation can lead to stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and emptiness for the deceived.
To avoid being victimized, it is essential to be aware and cautious. Key warning signs include fast-moving relationships, requests for money or financial help, avoidance of video or in-person meetings, and unwillingness to communicate on secure, platform-monitored channels.
The report exposes the prevalence and impact of love scams on its victims, serving as a reminder for safer online dating experiences. It airs at 10:15 PM on ZDF.
Social-media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp, are not immune to the rise of love scams, beyond traditional dating services like Plenty of Fish, Bumble, and Hinge. The general-news report "All Lies, All Fake - Love Fraud on the Net," airing at 10:15 PM on ZDF, demonstrates the widespread effects of these scams, illustrating the emotional and financial damages they inflict.
