Omi Implements Facial Verification to Combat Scams: What Founders Need to Know

Dating app Omi, a popular platform across several Asian countries, has achieved a 60% facial verification completion rate among its users as concerns over romance scams continue to escalate throughout the region. The optional security measure comes as governments grapple with how to protect users while respecting privacy rights, with Malaysia recently ruling out mandatory ID checks for dating apps. The verification initiative highlights the growing tension between user safety and privacy concerns in the digital dating landscape.

Optional Verification With Consequences

Around 60% of Omi users have completed facial verification, according to recent reports from the company. The process remains optional due to legal and privacy considerations, according to Oskar Levin, chief information security officer at Omi parent company MatchUp UK Ltd. However, users who choose not to complete the verification process face tangible consequences on the platform.

Users who decline facial verification may encounter restrictions on certain features and could be classified as higher-risk users by the platform's systems. Those who successfully pass the facial scan receive a verification badge displayed on their profiles. This two-tier system creates an incentive for genuine users to verify while allowing the platform to maintain optional participation.

Users who do not complete the verification process may face restrictions on certain features and could be classified as higher-risk users.

The Challenge of Human-Operated Scams

Levin explained that human-operated scam accounts present a particularly difficult challenge for detection systems. Scammers often invest significant time building relationships, sometimes spending days or weeks establishing trust before attempting fraud. This patient approach makes these accounts harder to distinguish from legitimate users engaging in genuine conversations.

Automated bots are generally easier to detect because their behavior follows more predictable patterns. However, AI technology has allowed these bots to become increasingly sophisticated and flexible. Rather than simply repeating pre-prepared messages, modern AI-powered bots can adapt their responses and appear more human-like in their interactions.

Rising Scam Losses in Asia

The verification measures come amid growing concerns over romance scams and online fraud across Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia. Malaysia recently officially ruled out mandatory verification, citing privacy concerns despite the mounting financial losses. Police data reported by the New Straits Times revealed that 462 Malaysians lost a combined RM32.7 million to scams originating from people met through online dating platforms over the four years to June 2026.

More than 70% of victims were aged between 21 and 40, indicating that younger, digitally native users are not immune to these scams. Specifically for Omi, 85 cases were reported that resulted in losses of RM8.43 million. These figures represent only the reported cases, suggesting the actual financial impact may be considerably higher.

462 Malaysians lost a combined RM32.7 million to scams originating from people met through online dating platforms over the four years to June 2026.

A Regional Crisis

According to the UN, scam losses in Asia have increased up to $114 billion, triple the 2023 figure. While romance scams represent only a portion of this total, they constitute a significant and growing threat. The increase appears correlated with the widespread availability of AI technology for creating convincing fake profiles and personas.

The dramatic rise in losses demonstrates that traditional security measures are struggling to keep pace with evolving scam techniques. As AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, scammers can create increasingly realistic profiles and maintain more convincing conversations. This technological arms race between platforms and fraudsters continues to escalate, with billions of dollars at stake.