The Malta Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit and Malta Police Force are grappling with a surge in romance scam reports, as an international investigation exposes the archipelago as a hub for dating platforms accused of facilitating fraudulent relationships. Between 2019 and September 2023, 37 victims in Malta reported losses totaling €911,000—with individual damages ranging from €168 to more than €550,000. The issue has intensified: in the first six months of 2025 alone, fraud cases across all categories reported to police reached €8.3M in losses across 150 incidents.
An exposé published in early 2026 by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has placed two Malta-registered companies—Social Discovery Group (SDG) and its subsidiary SOL Networks—under scrutiny. Both entities, founded by Russian national Dmitry Volkov, operate popular dating websites including AmoLatina, Dating.com, and DateMyAge.com. These platforms are registered under Malta's regulatory jurisdiction, meaning local authorities have direct oversight responsibility. The investigation alleges these platforms deploy a "pay-per-message" model that charges users for every interaction—including opening photos and videos—while employing paid models, influencers, or scripted operators to impersonate romantic interests. Victims describe emotionally intense relationships that never culminate in live video calls or face-to-face meetings, all while their credit balances drain steadily.
Why This Matters
• Pay-per-message platforms registered in Malta are accused of generating over $200M in annual revenue through micro-transactions critics describe as deceptive.
• Malta-based victims lost nearly €1M over four years to romance fraud, prompting warnings from local banks and law enforcement.
• International arrests linked to Malta-based scams include operations in Nigeria, Ireland, and the UK, signaling cross-border enforcement efforts.
• No specific regulatory action or legal consequences have been publicly disclosed against Malta-based dating platforms for enabling romance scams—raising questions about local accountability.
What This Means for Malta Residents and Expats
Anyone using online dating platforms—whether resident, expat, or visitor—should be aware that Malta-registered companies operate many of the world's most popular dating sites. The pay-per-message model is legal, but the line between legitimate business and facilitated fraud remains contested. These platforms serve international markets but operate under Malta's regulatory jurisdiction, meaning Maltese authorities have direct oversight responsibility.
MeDirect Bank Malta and the Malta Police Force have issued public warnings advising caution with online relationships.
How to Protect Yourself
Red flags to watch for:
• Rapid emotional attachment and declarations of love within days or weeks.
• Avoidance of video calls or in-person meetings, with excuses citing travel, work, or technical issues.
• Inconsistencies in personal stories, including location, occupation, or family details.
• Urgent requests for money citing fabricated emergencies—medical bills, travel expenses, or business crises.
If you suspect fraud:
Immediately cease communication and contact your bank or financial institution within 24 to 72 hours if funds were transferred. Preserve all evidence including screenshots, payment receipts, and crypto wallet addresses. The Malta Police Force and the Malta Consumer Affairs Authority accept formal complaints, and reporting to international bodies like the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) can support cross-border investigations.
The Business Model Under Fire
The ICIJ investigation details how users are lured into what appear to be genuine romantic connections, only to discover the profiles are operated by third parties. One Cypriot woman spent nearly two years on AmoLatina, eventually filing a complaint with the Malta Consumer Affairs Authority after realizing the relationship was fabricated. A Brazilian widow lost approximately $5,000 through a similar scheme. In some cases, victims discovered their supposed love interests were models appearing in other online content or were already married.
Social Discovery Group has denied directly paying individuals to impersonate romantic partners, but acknowledged working with "third-party marketing partners" to recruit users. The company reported removing more than 30,000 accounts suspected of fraudulent activity in 2025 and paid out $370,000 in compensation for cases where its platforms "fell below expected standards." Yet critics argue the business model itself—charging per message, per photo, per interaction—incentivizes prolonging relationships rather than facilitating genuine connections.
Another Malta-registered entity, Together Networks, has faced similar accusations. Its infrastructure traces back to Cupid Plc, a former UK-listed dating company that collapsed after journalists exposed its use of fake profiles.
Malta's Broader Fraud Landscape
Romance scams are only one facet of a broader fraud crisis affecting the island. In February 2026, Malta Police arrested a 25-year-old woman and an 82-year-old man in connection with an online fraud operation that defrauded approximately 200 people of €1M. The woman allegedly impersonated a local bank while working with an international criminal network. The arrests were coordinated with Europol and authorities in Ireland and the UK.
In June 2026, Nigerian authorities apprehended a mother and daughter linked to a romance scam targeting a Malta-based victim who lost around €11,000. That scheme formed part of a larger network estimated to be worth €18M, with a third suspect still at large.
The Malta Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) recorded a record 10,712 suspicious transaction reports in 2025, a 13.6% increase from the prior year. Fraud accounted for 28% of these reports, making it the most commonly suspected crime. The FIAU imposed administrative penalties totaling €1,340,242 throughout 2025 for compliance breaches, though the agency has not publicly detailed whether any dating platforms were sanctioned for issues related to romance fraud.
The Challenge of Regulation and Enforcement
Despite the scale of reported losses and the international attention, regulatory action against Malta-based dating platforms remains limited. While the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has conducted initiatives focused on scam prevention, its reports do not detail any direct sanctions targeting dating platforms.
The legal landscape remains murky. A global discussion is underway about the duty of care dating applications owe users in preventing harm, including romance fraud. Civil claims against major dating app companies have been filed in other jurisdictions, but Malta has not yet seen parallel legal challenges.
One exception occurred in February 2026 when Next Love Limited, a Malta-based dating website, was ordered to settle a €71,000 tax bill in Finland—though that case was unrelated to fraud allegations.
Recovery Prospects and International Cooperation
Fund recovery remains difficult. Success rates hover below 5%, particularly for irreversible transactions such as cryptocurrency transfers, wire transfers, and gift cards. Victims who act swiftly—contacting banks within 24 to 72 hours—may reverse wire transfers or dispute credit card charges. For cryptocurrency sent through legitimate exchanges, victims should immediately contact the fraud department with the destination wallet address.
Federal authorities in the U.S. have seized over $800M through forfeiture cases targeting cryptocurrency linked to international romance and investment fraud. Prosecution often requires significant international cooperation. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) partners with the FBI and Secret Service to combat overseas romance scam operations. Interpol has issued Purple Notices to its 194 member countries outlining modus operandi for investment fraud via dating apps.
In Europe, Europol has coordinated multi-country arrests, including those linked to Malta-based victims. Organizations like Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS) and the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) are fostering collaboration among law enforcement, financial institutions, and tech platforms.
The Global Context
Romance scams are the costliest type of scam globally. In 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recorded over 70,000 reports and losses totaling $1.47B. The FBI estimates that $10B is lost annually to relationship and romance scams across the United States alone, with a median loss of $2,000 per person.
Malta's role as a corporate domicile for dating platforms places it at the intersection of this global crisis. While the companies registered here serve international markets, the reputational and regulatory implications for the island are significant. The question now is whether Maltese authorities will move beyond public warnings and impose meaningful accountability on platforms that, critics argue, profit from prolonged deception.
