How does the reverse image scam checker work?▾
Upload the photo. ScamGuard searches the open web, dating-scam image databases, stock-photo libraries, and our internal stolen-photo registry for matches. If the same face or image appears under a different name — actor, model, soldier, doctor, businessman — we surface the original source. That's the strongest single signal that you're talking to a scammer.
What kind of images should I check?▾
Profile pictures from dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge), 'crypto trader' or 'investment mentor' photos sent on WhatsApp / Telegram, military or doctor selfies used in romance scams, business headshots from suspicious 'recruiters', and any profile photo of someone you've never met in person.
Why do scammers steal photos?▾
Because they cannot show their real face. The vast majority of romance, pig-butchering, and investment scams are run from compounds or shared call-centres where one operator runs multiple personas. They source attractive, trustworthy-looking photos from real strangers' Instagram accounts, military deployments, or modelling portfolios — and reuse the same photo set across hundreds of victims.
Is the reverse image scam checker free?▾
Yes — your first check is free with no signup. After that a free account unlocks more checks, and credits are only required for unlimited deep investigations.
What if the image isn't found anywhere?▾
That doesn't automatically mean it's real — scammers also generate AI faces with tools like StyleGAN or Midjourney. ScamGuard also runs an AI-face detector that scores whether the photo is likely generated. Combine it with red flags (refuses video calls, only sends curated selfies, asks for money/crypto) for a confident verdict.
Can it detect deepfake video calls?▾
Direct deepfake video detection is a separate feature in the deep investigation. For real-time calls, watch for: unnatural lighting, blurred edges around the face, slow lip sync, or refusal to make sudden hand gestures across the face. A scammer who 'has bad internet' for every video call is almost certainly using static photos.
How accurate is the match?▾
Very high for photos that exist anywhere public on the web. We use perceptual hashing plus face-embedding similarity, so we still catch the photo even when it's been cropped, mirrored, recoloured, or had filters applied. If you get a match, click through to verify with your own eyes.
Is uploading my image private?▾
Yes. Images are processed for the match and short-term cached only. We don't share, publish, or train models on user-uploaded private images. If you're checking your own photo for impersonation, you can request deletion at any time.
Can I check a photo someone sent me on WhatsApp?▾
Yes — save the image to your phone, then upload it. You can also forward the image directly to the ScamGuard WhatsApp bot for a hands-free check.