At this year’s SXSW conference, Yoel Roth, head of trust and safety at Match Group, took the stage to discuss the growing threat of online fraud and the industry's efforts to combat it.
Alongside a representative from Coinbase and a former FBI agent, the panel highlighted how scams have evolved beyond simple phishing attempts into large-scale operations that exploit both technology and human psychology.
"The newest scams aren’t run by bots," Roth explained. "These are highly curated, human-operated networks, often leveraging real people in situations of trafficking." He pointed to emerging fraud tactics like "pig butchering," in which scammers build long-term relationships with victims before coercing them into fraudulent financial schemes.
Roth’s comments come as Match Group faces scrutiny over its handling of trust and safety issues. A recent report from The Markup alleges that the company has failed to effectively remove users accused of serious misconduct, including sexual assault. The investigation claims that Match Group maintains internal records of flagged users but does not always take action to ban them across its platforms or notify law enforcement.
While Match Group has defended its safety measures, stating that it is "committed to investing in cutting-edge technology and working closely with regulators," the report raises questions about transparency in online safety efforts.
At SXSW, Roth emphasized the need for cross-industry collaboration to address the broader problem of digital fraud. "Scammers communicate, share tactics, and adapt," he said. "If platforms don’t work together to counter these threats, we’re giving bad actors an advantage."
As discussions on online safety continue, Match Group's handling of these issues will likely remain in focus — both in the fight against fraud and in its own platform policies.
