Guides · 6 min read · Published 29 October 2026

How to spot and avoid online scams

The most common stories scammers use on social and dating apps, the warning signs to look for and what to do if you are targeted.

Most people you meet online are exactly who they say they are. A small number are not, and scammers often target social and video chat apps because people come there to be friendly. Scams follow a small number of patterns. Once you know them, they are much easier to recognise.

The warning signs

Moving fast. Strong compliments, talk of a special connection or a relationship after one or two conversations.
Moving you elsewhere. Pressure to continue on another messaging app as soon as possible.
Avoiding live video. Excuses for never turning the camera on, or a camera that is always "broken".
A story that needs money. A medical emergency, a stuck parcel, a visa fee, a blocked bank account, a business opportunity.
Urgency and secrecy. "Please don't tell anyone", "I need it today", "only you can help".
Requests for codes. Asking you to read out a one-time password (OTP) or a verification code sent to your phone.

Common scam stories

The investment tip

A friendly new contact mentions how much money they make trading crypto or forex, then offers to show you their "platform". Small early "profits" look real, but withdrawals are always blocked by new fees. There is no platform, only a website controlled by the scammer.

The emergency

After weeks of friendly chat, a sudden crisis: a hospital bill, a lost wallet abroad, customs holding a gift they sent you. They promise to pay you back. They never do, and the next emergency follows soon after.

The verification code trick

"I accidentally sent my code to your number, can you read it to me?" A code sent to your phone is a key to one of your accounts. Never share it with anyone, ever. MeAndYou staff will never ask you for one either.

Sextortion

Someone persuades a person to undress or do something intimate on camera, secretly records it, then demands money. This is a crime. If it happens to you, read what to do if someone threatens you. You are not to blame and you are not alone.

Red flags in a profile

Photos that look like a model shoot or a stock image, and a camera that never turns on to match them
A profile that is brand new, with almost no details, but a story that is very detailed
Claims of a glamorous job abroad (an engineer on an oil rig, a doctor with an international charity, a soldier on deployment) that conveniently explain why they can never meet or video call
Answers that do not quite match your questions, or that sound copied and pasted

None of these alone proves a scam, but two or three together are a good reason to slow down. A real person is happy to say hello on a live video call; that is what MeAndYou is for.

Simple rules that stop almost every scam

Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you have only met online.
Never share one-time codes, passwords or banking details.
Do not click links from strangers that ask you to log in or install something.
Keep the conversation on the app until you know the person well.
Talk to a friend or family member if something feels off. Scams rely on secrecy.

If you think you are being scammed

Stop replying and do not send anything else.
Report the person in MeAndYou with the reason Spam or scam, and block them.
If you already sent money, contact your bank immediately. In India you can call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in.
Keep screenshots of the conversation and payment details as evidence.

Helping a friend or family member

People caught in a scam often feel embarrassed and may defend the person who is scamming them. If you think someone close to you is being targeted, listen without judging, ask gentle questions ("Have you ever seen them on a live call?", "What happens if you say no?") and help them check the story. Remind them that scammers are skilled professionals and that being targeted says nothing about their intelligence.

You can always write to us at support@meandyouapp.com. We read every report.