Finding matches on dating apps should ideally spark romantic connection. Unfortunately, online dating in the 21st century also means being exposed to a plethora of scammers. Dating apps like Hinge are hotbeds for criminal activity. Hinge users let their guard down on the platform as they search for potential partners. However, criminals exploit this desire for malicious intent. Hinge sextortion is a particular issue of growing concern. In fact, the FBI cites sextortion as one of the fastest growing cybercrimes in the country.
What is Hinge?
The mobile app Hinge was launched in 2013 to be a less superficial Tinder. However, in 2018, Match Group took ownership of Hinge — and the app took off in popularity. From 2018 to 2020, Hinge’s user base grew from 4 million to 13 million. Today, the userbase is at over 30 million, and the app is a major player in the online dating space. Unfortunately, popular dating apps attract not only genuine users, but also those with criminal motives.
According to a 2025 report by Digital Forensic Corp., Hinge accounted for 13% of sextortion cases originating on dating platforms. Since there is a risk of sextortion on Hinge, it’s important for all users to understand how these scams work and what warning signs to look out for.
The Hinge Sextortion Playbook
Sextortionists create fake profiles to catfish potential victims. They will typically pose as highly desirable individuals who are physically attractive, wealthy, or of high status. Catfishers will swipe right on hundreds of online users and will send messages showing romantic or sexual interest. Once a potential victim responds to the bait, the criminal begins building a fraudulent relationship.
Drawing Victims into Sextortion on Hinge
Cybercriminals use manipulative tactics to gain the trust of their targets. They may take a direct approach, quickly initiating sexual conversations and escalating the relationship toward intimacy. This method is the most effective on those unaware of sextortion. In some cases, the sextortionist takes a long-term approach. This method allows the perpetrator to gain trust by consistently engaging with the target and even faking vulnerability to create a false sense of intimacy. They will also love bomb their targets with grand declarations of affection, saying things such as the following:
- “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
- “I’m falling for you so fast.”
- “I’ve never felt this close to anyone before.”
- “I can’t believe I found someone as amazing as you.”
After gaining enough trust with the victim, the sextortionist will suggest exchanging explicit images or videos. They will often send intimate images or videos first to appear genuine. However, once the victim sends their own explicit content, the relationship dynamic changes and the sextortion begins.
Breaking Down the Pressure Tactics Used in Hinge Sextortion
When a sextortionist threatens the victim, they will use manipulative tactics to coerce the victim into compliance. Sextortionists want you to believe that exposure will ruin your life, even though this is often not true. Perpetrators typically send a barrage of threats to initially overwhelm the victim. They will also promise to send the explicit content to the victim’s family and friends, threatening the relationships of close connections.
If the cybercriminal uncovers your occupation, they may also threaten to send the explicit content to co-workers and supervisors. These tactics are used to instill devastating fear and deceive victims into believing that paying the criminal is the only solution.
How Victims Should Respond to Hinge Sextortion
Facing sextortion can trigger a flood of intense emotions that can overwhelm you in an instant. Fear, anxiety, and shame are common to experience — and they can lead to hasty decisions. However, your response to a sextortion threat is important. In many cases, it can make all the difference in how your situation ends. Fortunately, we have prepared a guide to help victims respond to sextortion. Here is a step-by-step look at how to deal with Hinge sextortion effectively.
Do Not Give in to the Demands
Sextortionists will make it appear as if compliance is the only way to prevent exposure. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Giving in to a perpetrator’s demands only encourages the criminal to continue targeting you. Not only does compliance communicate that you have money to give, but it also shows you are susceptible to their threats.
Preserve the Evidence
You need evidence of the crime for the police or cybersecurity experts to launch an investigation. Sextortionists may delete messages, profiles, and forms of media before you can take it to the police. Preserving evidence of the Hinge sextortion is the first step you should take. You can take screenshots of the messages, profiles, and anything else that is relevant.
Report the Profile on Hinge
You should always report Hinge sextortion to the platform administrators. Hinge takes sextortion very seriously and will remove profiles that are caught committing the crime. The platform’s reporting tool is anonymous. Once you report a user, their profile will no longer appear in your feed. Follow these steps to report a user for sextortion:
- Go to the profile.
- Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner.
- Select “Report” and the reason for your report.
- Submit your report.
Notify Law Enforcement
If you have been a victim of Hinge sextortion, you should contact local law enforcement as soon as possible. The local authorities can help you file a report, officially documenting the crime. The report can also be used to support future legal actions. In some cases, the police can even launch an investigation to uncover the perpetrator’s location and identity.
It’s also important to report sextortion to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI does not have limited jurisdiction and can work with law enforcement in other countries to pursue criminals.
Work with Cybersecurity Experts
Certain cybersecurity firms like Digital Forensics Corp. specialize in protecting victims of sextortion. These experts work to prevent the sextortionist from making good on their threats and help mitigate the damage from any exposure that has already occurred. They can also undermine the criminal’s greatest asset — their anonymity. Cybersecurity experts can trace the perpetrator’s digital footprint, uncovering their geolocation and, in some cases, identity.
Reputable firms like Digital Forensics Corp. follow strict chain of custody as well, ensuring their digital investigation is admissible as evidence in court and other legal proceedings.
Confide in Someone You Trust
Experiencing Hinge sextortion can evoke a lot of emotions that may feel overwhelming to handle alone. However, confiding in someone you trust can alleviate some of the emotional burden of the situation. You can talk to a trusted friend, family member, or counselor.
Warning Signs of Hinge Sextortion to Look Out For
Sextortionists use similar tactics and scripts to target potential victims. However, there are flaws in these methods that users can take advantage of. By spotting the warning signs of sextortion early, you can avoid a terrible situation before it starts. Take note of the following warning signs of Hinge sextortion.
- Rapid escalation of emotional intimacy. Sextortionists will attempt to escalate the relationship quickly and unnaturally. They will use love bombing and consistent engagement to create the illusion of a deeper connection.
- Inconsistent details about their life. Catfishers will invent a life story to gain sympathy and feel more genuine. However, they may also create a story to avoid meeting face to face. Keep track of the stories they tell and the life details that they reveal.
- Strange grammar or word choice. Many sextortionists are not native English speakers. They tend to make grammar mistakes or strange word choices that make sentences awkward.
- Limited profile information. Dating profiles with very limited information or images can be a red flag. You should stay vigilant when engaging with these users.
- Stolen images on their profile. There are reverse image search tools that allow users to discover other places where images have been used on the internet. You can use these tools to verify if dating profile pictures are stolen or authentic.
- Reluctance to meet face to face. Catfishers will avoid meeting face to face in real life or over video chats. In some cases, sextortionists may actually be who they claim to be and will pressure the victim into engaging in an explicit video chat that they secretly record.
How to Protect Yourself on Hinge
Your main focus on dating platforms should be to protect yourself and approach relationships with caution. Protect your personal information like your home address and occupation on the platform. You should also keep your social media profiles separate from your Hinge account. Sextortionists may use social media accounts to identify the victim’s family, friends, or even co-workers to make threats against. In the modern era, it’s important to approach every online interaction with healthy skepticism as a form of protection.
If you are a victim of Hinge sextortion, Digital Forensics Corp. can provide support. We have an expert team available to help protect victims’ privacy and fight back against cybercriminals. Contact our Sextortion Helpline today to speak to a specialist.
