By: Tunde Ajayi / 3 January 2026
Magazine Blog : Online Dating Safety Guides : New to Online Dating : Profiles & Presentation : Online Dating
Online dating in Nigeria can be great! One minute you’re chatting with someone who looks like a movie star, next minute you’re wondering, “Wait o… why does this person’s picture look like a bank advert?”
If you’ve been online dating, you’ve probably seen them: profiles with too-perfect photos, people that look like international models but claim they stay “around Iyana-Ipaja,” or pictures that feel like they were taken from Google, not from a real person’s phone.
Let’s talk about it. Because when it comes to online dating, safety first, always. No fine face is worth stories that touch the heart… and the wallet.
This article is here to help you spot fake photos and stolen pictures, using common sense, humor, and real-life Nigerian reality.
That “Too Good to Be True” Feeling Is Real
There is something our mothers usually say: “If it’s too sweet, check am well.” Online dating is exactly like that.
Many fake profiles use stolen photos. Some take pictures from Instagram influencers, foreign models, or even random innocent people living their normal life. Then they create a dating profile, add one emotional bio like “I’m a simple man looking for true love,” and start messaging people.
In Nigeria, this does occur. From romance scammers to pranksters to people just forming fake accounts to end boredom.
So how do you know when a photo is not real?
Let’s walk through it like friends.
The Photos Look Like Stock Photos or Music Album Covers
One big red flag is when all the photos look professionally taken.
Every picture is high quality. Perfect lighting. Different outfits. Different cities. No bathroom mirror selfie. No random snap. No normal everyday life photo.
Just vibes and aesthetics.
Ask yourself honestly:
Does this look like someone snapping with their Infinix, iPhone, or Samsung in Nigeria… or like something from a fashion website?
Most real Nigerians will have at least:
- One random selfie
- One slightly blurry photo
- One photo at a wedding, birthday, or naming ceremony
- One picture with funny angle or background
If all their photos look like magazine covers, calm down and observe well.
Their Face Is Everywhere… Except Google
One of the strongest tools you have is a reverse image search.
You can use:
Just upload the photo or paste the image link.
If the same face shows up as:
- A foreign model
- A stock image
- Someone’s Instagram page with a different name
- A motivational blog post
- A random Facebook account in another country
Then my brother, my sister… that photo is not theirs.
Many Nigerians have caught fake profiles simply by doing this one small check. It doesn’t mean every real person will appear online, but if the photo is showing up in many places with different names, run.
Safety first. Always.
They Refuse to Take New Pictures or Do Video Call
This one is very important.
A real person can take a new picture.
A real person can do video call.
A fake profile will always have excuses.
“My camera is bad.”
“I’m shy.”
“My phone is broken.”
“I’m not comfortable with video.”
“I’m at work for the next two months.”
Two months ke?
If you ask them to take a simple photo like:
“Snap one picture now holding up two fingers”
or
“Snap with today’s newspaper or show today’s date on paper”
And they start dodging, changing topic, getting angry, or guilt-tripping you… that’s a very strong sign something is wrong.
In Nigeria, even people with a small phone can snap something. It may not be of the highest quality, but it will be real.
Refusing forever = big red flag.
Their Photos Don’t Match Their Story
This one catches many people.
Someone says:
“I’m a simple guy, I don’t really like flashy things.”
But all his pictures are:
- In private jets
- In luxury hotels
- Posing with rented cars
- Wearing suits in every photo
Or someone says:
“I live in Ibadan.”
But all her pictures look like:
- Snow
- Foreign streets
- Places that don’t even look like Nigeria
Even in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, you can usually notice small things: signage, buildings, environment, power poles, road styles.
When the life story and the photos are not aligning, pause. Observe. Ask calm questions. Don’t rush emotions.
Fake profiles often copy stories from the internet and combine them with stolen pictures. The result is usually inconsistent.
You Notice Small Editing and AI-Like Signs
These days, some fake photos are not even stolen… they are AI-generated.
Look well at the pictures:
- Strange-looking hands
- Earrings not matching
- Background looking “too smooth”
- Skin texture looking unreal
- Glasses melting into face
- Teeth too perfect
If something about the face just feels… off, trust your eyes.
Not every fine person is fake, but many fake photos now are either heavily edited or AI-made.
Again: safety before sweet talk.
Real-Life Nigerian Examples (That People Actually Experience)
Many Nigerians have shared stories like:
- Meeting someone online who used a foreign soldier’s photo.
- Chatting for weeks, only to discover the picture belongs to a fashion model in Brazil.
- Someone claiming to be a widow in Benin, but the image belonged to a woman running a YouTube cooking channel.
- Profiles using TikTok influencers’ pictures without permission.
These things are not film tricks. They happen every day.
Some lead to emotional heartbreak.
Some lead to money loss.
Some lead to blackmail.
That’s why spotting fake photos early is not being “paranoid.” It is being smart.
How to Protect Yourself While Enjoying Online Dating
Let’s be honest: online dating can be fun. Many real Nigerians meet genuine partners online. But you must move with common sense.
Here are small habits that save big problems:
- Don’t fall in love with photos. Fall in love with consistent behavior.
- Always request a casual video call early, not after three months.
- Never send money to someone you’ve never met.
- Use the platform’s report and block features.
- Talk to a friend if something feels off.
- Trust your instincts. Nigerian instincts are strong.
And remember: anyone who truly likes you will not be angry because you want to feel safe.
Final Words of Wisdom
Online dating is like walking in a busy Nigerian market. Plenty good people. Plenty good things. But also… pickpockets exist.
You don’t stop going to market.
You just hold your bag well.
Fake photos and stolen pictures are one of the first tools scammers use. Once you learn to spot them, you’ve already blocked many problems before they start.
Love can be sweet. Connection can be beautiful. But your safety is more important than any profile picture.
Always verify.
Always observe.
Always protect yourself.
And if a profile is making your chest tight, or your common sense is saying “hmm”… listen to it.
Stay safe. Stay smart. And may your next match be real, respectful, and drama-free.