Multiple Faces Detected
January 22nd, 2026
You joined Upward hoping to meet someone who shares your faith. Instead, you matched with someone who seemed perfect. Too perfect.
Dating apps for Christians should feel safe. But scammers don’t care about your beliefs. They care about your money.
Upward is one of the most popular Christian dating platforms in the U.S., connecting single believers looking for meaningful relationships. It works like most dating apps. You swipe right to like someone, left to pass. When you match, you chat.
But that’s where things can go wrong.
Scammers know that faith-based communities trust easily. They exploit that trust. And they’re getting better at it.
Why Scammers Target Upward Date Users
Christian dating apps attract people looking for serious relationships. Not hookups. Not games. Real connections.
That makes you a target.
Dating app scams happen across all platforms. But faith-based apps have unique vulnerabilities. Users assume others share their values. They let their guard down.
Reddit threads are full of Upward scam stories. One user matched with someone who immediately sent explicit videos. Then came threats. Pay up, or the “father” presses charges.
It’s called the underage scam. And it’s terrifying.
The Underage Sextortion Scam on Upward Date
Here’s how it works.
You match with someone on Upward date. Their profile says they’re 21. They seem genuine. The conversation flows. Then they suggest moving to text. They send you explicit photos or videos. You didn’t ask for them. But now you have them.
Next, you get a call. Someone claims to be the girl’s father. Or a police officer. They say she’s actually 16. You’re in possession of child pornography. Unless you pay for a damaged phone, therapy bills, or some other expense, they’re pressing charges.
Your life flashes before your eyes.
But here’s the truth. There is no girl. No father. No police officer. It’s a sextortion scam. The goal is to scare you into sending money before you realize it’s fake.
Real police don’t call to negotiate. They show up with a warrant. Real parents don’t ask for money to drop charges. And no legitimate situation involves gift cards or wire transfers as payment.
If this happens to you, stop responding. Block the number. Don’t pay anything. Report it to the FBI and move on.
Phishing Scams on Upward
Not all scams are that dramatic.
Some are quieter. Sneakier.
Phishing on dating apps doesn’t look like obvious fraud. It looks like someone is getting to know you.
They ask about your childhood. Where did you grow up? Your first pet’s name. Your mother’s maiden name.
Seems innocent, right?
Wrong.
Those are security questions. The same ones your bank uses. The same ones that can unlock your accounts.
Scammers also send links. “Check out this song that reminds me of you.” Or “I posted some photos here.” You click. Your phone downloads malware. Now they have access to your data.
Never click links from someone you haven’t met in person. And be cautious about answering personal questions, even if they seem harmless.
Romance Scams and Fake Profiles
Some scammers play the long game.
They build a relationship slowly. They’re patient. Weeks go by. Maybe months. You talk every day. They seem perfect. You start to trust them.
Then the story changes.
They have a medical emergency. A family crisis. They need money fast. Just a loan. They’ll pay you back. They promise.
But once you send money, they’re gone.
According to the FTC, romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2022. That’s more than any other type of fraud. And those numbers keep rising.
On Upward date, fake profiles are harder to spot than on other apps. Scammers use stolen photos. They write convincing faith statements. They know the right things to say.
But there are signs.
They avoid video calls. They can’t meet in person. Their photos look too professional or like model shots. When you do a reverse image search, the same face appears on multiple websites.
Code Verification Scams
This one’s new.
You match with someone. They send you a code. They say you need to verify you’re real. All you have to do is share the code they sent to your phone.
Don’t do it.
That code is your two-factor authentication. If you share it, they can take over your accounts. Email. Social media. Banking. Everything.
Upward doesn’t ask users to verify each other with codes. If someone requests this, report them immediately.
Investment and Crypto Scams
Another scam gaining traction is the pig butchering scheme.
Someone matches with you on Upward date. You build a connection. They mention they’re doing well financially. They’ve been investing in crypto. They want to help you do the same.
They send you links to platforms. They show you fake profits. You invest. And your money disappears.
Investment scams on dating apps are sophisticated. The platforms look real. The profits look real. But it’s all fake.
Never send money or invest based on advice from someone you met on a dating app. No matter how much you trust them.
How to Stay Safe on Upward Date
Keep conversations on the app until you meet in person. Don’t move to text or other apps right away. Scammers prefer platforms where they can’t be reported easily.
Video chat before meeting up. If they refuse or make excuses, that’s a red flag. Real people don’t avoid showing their faces.
Never send money. Even if the story sounds desperate. Even if they promise to pay you back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Do a reverse image search on their photos. If their pictures show up on other sites or profiles, they’re not who they claim to be.
Be cautious with personal information. Don’t share details that could be used to access your accounts or steal your identity. Keep your phone number private until you’ve verified they’re real.
Report suspicious profiles. Upward has a reporting feature. Use it. You might save someone else from getting scammed.
And most importantly, trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
Verify Before You Trust
You don’t have to do all this detective work alone.
Social Catfish specializes in helping people verify online identities. Whether you’re talking to someone on Upward date or any other platform, Social Catfish can run a dating profile search, reverse image search, or phone number lookup.
You’ll find out if the person you’re talking to is real. Or if they’re using stolen photos and fake information. You can also check if they have hidden profiles on other dating sites.
If you’re serious about staying safe, free dating background checks can give you peace of mind before you invest time and emotion into someone who might not exist.
Protect Yourself, Protect Your Heart
Upward is a legitimate platform. Most users are genuine. But scammers are everywhere. They don’t care that you’re looking for a God-centered relationship. They see an opportunity.
Sextortion, phishing, romance scams, and investment fraud happen daily. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.
Stay cautious. Verify who you’re talking to. And never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
Dating should be about finding connection. Not losing your savings. Or your sense of security.
Be smart. Be safe. And use the tools available to protect yourself.
