A Pennsylvania woman who lost $700,000 to a romance scammer on Tinder is speaking out as lawmakers target online dating platforms over inadequate security. Sue Nuss, who joined the app in 2025 after losing her spouse, was targeted by a New Jersey resident who fabricated a series of emergencies—including oil rig crises, legal issues in Mexico, and a heart attack—to extract large sums of money.
Nuss's case became part of a year-long congressional investigation led by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Marsha Blackburn. According to findings from the probe, nearly 1.5 million bad actors matched with users on Tinder and Hinge during the first nine months of 2025, with about 500,000 of those accounts successfully exchanging contact information. Investigators reported that Tinder's outdated fraud detection models and automated safeguards allowed scammers to easily bypass security measures.
The widespread financial and psychological toll of such fraud—which the Federal Trade Commission noted cost Americans nearly $1.5 billion last year—prompted Congress to pass the Romance Scam Prevention Act. The proposed legislation would mandate that online dating services warn users when they are messaged by suspected scammers. The bill awaits signature by President Donald Trump.
Match Group, which owns Tinder, defended its safety record, stating that the congressional report mischaracterized its ongoing investments and safety advancements. The company pointed to recent measures, including biometric Face Check verification designed to prevent users from creating multiple fake profiles. While lawmakers acknowledged these updates, they emphasized that dating platforms must remain vigilant as fraudsters continually adapt their tactics.
