Swipe, Chat, Invest: How Iran-Linked Crypto Scams Target Americans On Dating Apps

Last Updated:April 14, 2026, 12:50 IST

Iran-linked crypto scammers allegedly use dating apps to run "pig-butchering" schemes on Americans, stealing funds that may support state-backed geopolitical activities.

What may appear to be a routine interaction on a dating app is now being linked to a more serious cyber threat amid the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.

A report by the Daily Express US claims that a crypto scam network allegedly tied to Tehran is targeting Americans through platforms like Tinder and Bumble.

The scheme follows a familiar pattern—fraudsters build rapport over days or weeks, winning trust before introducing cryptocurrency investment opportunities. Victims believe they are forming genuine relationships, but are instead directed to fake platforms where their funds are siphoned off, potentially feeding into state-linked channels.

Bezalel Eithan Raviv, a Tel Aviv-based expert and founder of Lionsgate Network, warned that countries like Iran, North Korea, and Russia use such tactics to raise funds for geopolitical purposes. His firm previously helped trace and seize over $90 million in crypto linked to Hamas after the October 7 attacks. “We’re looking at nearly $1 trillion globally being scammed from individuals at the end of the funnel," Raviv told the news outlet.

Known as “pig butchering" scams, these operations rely on prolonged emotional manipulation before pushing victims toward crypto transfers, which are harder to trace. Funds are then moved across multiple blockchains to obscure their origin.

Authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, say investment scams now account for the largest share of reported losses, with cryptocurrency dominating fraud cases.

Experts warn the implications extend beyond financial harm. In this evolving form of asymmetric conflict, unsuspecting individuals may end up indirectly funding global tensions—turning digital romance into a tool of geopolitical strategy.

News world Swipe, Chat, Invest: How Iran-Linked Crypto Scams Target Americans On Dating Apps

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