In today’s digital world, a dating app might seem like the easiest way to find love — or at least a decent conversation. But sometimes, what starts as a promising match quickly turns into a bizarre, uncomfortable, or downright terrifying experience. While dating has always been complicated, these modern tales of first dates, dodgy profiles, and unsettling messages prove that the online version can be far worse.
Here are dating app horror stories that are so shocking and cringe-worthy, they’ll make you want to delete every app you’ve ever downloaded — immediately.
- 1. The Guy She Matched With Was Her Ex Using a Fake Profile
- 2. The First Message That Killed the Spark
- 3. He Made Plans and Brought His Mum
- 4. The Guy Who Looked Too Good to Be Real
- 5. A Conversation That Went From Cute to Creepy
- 6. The Guy Who Ghosted After Making Plans
- 7. When Spark Turned Into an Obsession
- 8. The Profile That Was All About His Ex
- 9. The Guy Who Proposed After Three Messages
- 10. The Dinner That Felt Like a Job Interview
- 11. He Wanted to See Her Feet — Immediately
- 12. The Text That Changed Everything
- Conclusion: Swipe Smart, Date Safer
1. The Guy She Matched With Was Her Ex Using a Fake Profile
This story begins like many others: a lady swiped right on a good-looking guy, had a decent chat, and started to feel that elusive spark. But something felt familiar. A few more messages in, she realised — she wasn’t talking to someone new. It was her ex, using a different name, different photos, and a fake profile. He had taken someone else’s images off Instagram and recreated himself online to “see if she’d fall for him again.” She blocked him and drove away, sobbing, alone, back to her car, feeling manipulated and betrayed.
2. The First Message That Killed the Spark
Some people ruin their chances before they even start. For one woman, the first message she received was: “You’d be perfect… if you smiled more.” Cue instant decline. Another time, someone wrote, “I’d swipe right on your dog, but not sure about you.” These aren’t just bad openers — they reveal troubling behaviour. When the first message is already insulting or creepy, it’s a clear sign to run, not walk, away from that conversation.
3. He Made Plans and Brought His Mum
She’d made plans for a relaxed evening at a local bar. He arrived 20 minutes late — with his mum in tow. She “helps vet all his dates.” The woman awkwardly joined them for dinner, during which the mum asked intrusive questions about marriage, children, and even finances. The lady politely smiled through it, paid her share, and took an Uber home — determined never to meet another mummy’s boy again.
4. The Guy Who Looked Too Good to Be Real
He had perfect hair, six-pack abs, and a caption that read: “Just a humble doctor who surfs.” It was too much — and she knew it. Using a reverse Google image search, she discovered the photos belonged to a Brazilian model. She messaged: “Are you this person?” His response was, “Does it matter?” Yes, it does. She deleted the app then and there, wondering how many others had fallen for his fake persona.
5. A Conversation That Went From Cute to Creepy
Things began innocently. He asked about her favourite movie, shared some banter, and seemed charming. But then came the curveball: “If I needed to kill someone, would you help me hide the body?” At first, she assumed he was joking. But his tone never shifted. “I need someone loyal,” he wrote. Realising this was not a joke, she ended the chat and blocked him immediately. It went from quirky to serial killer vibes in 60 seconds.
6. The Guy Who Ghosted After Making Plans
After weeks of good texting, they finally made plans to meet for lunch. She picked out her outfit, showed up at the café, and waited. And waited. No message, no call, no appearance. When she went back on the app, he had vanished. Deleted his profile, unmatched her, and disappeared into digital dust. That silent response said it all.
7. When Spark Turned Into an Obsession
Their first date was amazing — candlelit dinner, deep conversation, great chemistry. But days later, he started sending a flood of texts: “Where are you?” “Who are you with?” “Why didn’t you answer?” He called her workplace, pretending to be her boyfriend. What started as a spark quickly spiralled into a stalking nightmare. She had to block him on every app and report his behaviour.
8. The Profile That Was All About His Ex
His profile had six photos, five of which clearly showed his ex edited out. His bio read: “Not over her, but trying.” She messaged him to say, “You might not be ready to date.” He replied with a three-paragraph tale about their break-up and how women never give “nice guys” a second chance. The guy she matched should have been in therapy, not on a dating app.
9. The Guy Who Proposed After Three Messages
She had barely typed “Hey” when his response was: “I want to marry you. I’ve been waiting for someone like you.” What followed was a long rant about sex, love, and soulmates. She tried to slow things down, but he took offence and accused her of “playing games.” If that’s how he behaves online, imagine what a real relationship would be like.
10. The Dinner That Felt Like a Job Interview
He was cute, polite, and had a decent job — on paper. But from the moment she sat down, it became clear this wasn’t a date. He grilled her about her CV, ambitions, and financial planning. “What’s your five-year plan?” he asked, before questioning if she had a mortgage. She said she was looking for a connection, not a career mentor. After the awkward dinner, she didn’t stick around for dessert.
11. He Wanted to See Her Feet — Immediately
She said hello. His first message was: “Would love to see your feet.” She replied with a confused emoji. He followed up: “I’ll pay.” She declined, of course. He kept pushing. “You could earn more doing this than your actual job.” Eventually, she replied: “Pay me £100 just for reading this message.” He vanished.
12. The Text That Changed Everything
After a pleasant date, she sent a follow-up text: “Had a lovely time.” His response? “You looked better in your pics, but I’ve had worse.” That’s how he chose to say thanks. She didn’t reply. And he sent three more texts: “Did I offend you?” “You’re sensitive.” “You missed your chance.” No, sir — you missed yours.
Conclusion: Swipe Smart, Date Safer
The world of dating apps is unpredictable. These 19 dating app horror stories are not just entertainment — they’re reminders that the digital quest for love requires sharp instincts, solid boundaries, and a healthy dose of scepticism.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation that made you cringe, cry, or cancel the app altogether, know this: You’re not alone. From the creepy to the absurd, from the awkward to the emotionally damaging, these tales illustrate just how vital it is to trust your gut and protect your peace.
Be selective, vet your matches, and never hesitate to block, unmatch, or delete when something feels off. In the world of swipes and screens, your safety and sanity come first.
Rachel Hall, M.A., completed her education in English at the University of Pennsylvania and received her master’s degree in family therapy from Northern Washington University. She has been actively involved in the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, and coping with life changes and traumatic events for both families and individual clients for over a decade. Her areas of expertise include narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and therapy for traumatic cases. In addition, Rachel conducts workshops focusing on the psychology of positive thinking and coping skills for both parents and teens. She has also authored numerous articles on the topics of mental health, stress, family dynamics and parenting.
