Not all dangers on a dating app are obvious. The most effective scammers don't look like scammers. They look like exactly what you want to find. They're attractive, interesting, and know exactly what to say. But if you pay attention, there are always patterns.
These are the 5 most common red flags on dating apps in Colombia, based on real testimonials and data from the National Police.
1. They move too fast
You matched 30 minutes ago and they're already suggesting you meet today. Sounds spontaneous and exciting, right? In reality, urgency is one of scammers' favorite tools.
A scammer wants to see you quickly because: (1) they don't want you to have time to investigate their profile, (2) they need you to act on emotion rather than logic, and (3) the faster they get you off the app, the less evidence is left.
Rule of thumb: if someone insists on meeting the same day you match or wants to switch to WhatsApp within the first few hours, slow down. A genuine person understands that building trust takes time.
2. They avoid verification
On apps that offer verification (like Veraz), refusing to complete the process is the most direct red flag. But even on apps without formal verification, this pattern shows up in other ways:
- Refuses to video call ("my camera is broken", "I'm shy").
- Won't send a current selfie when you ask.
- Their social media accounts are empty, private, or "they don't use social media".
- Gets annoyed when you ask basic questions about their life.
A real person has no problem proving they're real. Resistance to verification is almost always a sign that something's wrong.
3. Their story doesn't add up
Scammers manage multiple conversations at once. It's normal for them to get confused, contradict themselves, or give vague answers. Watch for:
- Says they work somewhere but can't give concrete details.
- Age, job, or location changes between conversations.
- Their photos show a lifestyle that doesn't match what they say.
- Dodges personal questions or changes the subject.
4. They target foreigners or tourists
In cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena, there's a specific criminal pattern: profiles that exclusively seek out foreigners. The goal is to identify people with higher purchasing power, less local support network, and less awareness of area-specific risks.
Typical reconnaissance questions include: "What hotel are you staying at?", "Did you come alone?", "How many days are you staying?", "Is this your first time in Colombia?" Every answer gives them information to plan the scam or assault.
She asked me three times which hotel I was staying at. It seemed odd. The next day, a Colombian friend told me that's exactly how scopolamine gangs operate in Medellín.
Mike, 35, American tourist
5. They ask for money or financial favors
This is the most obvious red flag, but it still works. It can start small: "lend me money for an Uber, I don't have Nequi," "my phone broke and I need a new one to keep talking to you." The story is always convincing and appeals to your empathy.
The rule is simple: never send money to someone you met on a dating app, regardless of the reason. Real connections don't start with a financial transaction.
On Veraz, every profile has a visible Trust Score reflecting their verification level and platform behavior. If you see a low score, it's because the person hasn't completed verifications or has received negative reports. That's your signal to proceed with caution, or not proceed at all.
Dating apps should be a space for meeting genuine people, not a battlefield. If you learn to recognize these signals, you're already one step ahead. And if you use an app that verifies its users, the risk drops dramatically.