Dating safety tips

• Take your time. Get to know someone through conversation before sharing personal details like your home address, workplace or daily routine.

• Be wary of anyone who quickly professes strong feelings, avoids video calls, or has a story that keeps changing.

• Do a quick check: a reverse image search of their photos can reveal profiles that use someone else's pictures.

• Never share intimate photos. Once sent, you lose control of them and they can be used for blackmail ("sextortion").

• Never send money, airtime or gifts to someone you haven't met in person — no matter how urgent or emotional the request (hospital bills, school fees, a stuck parcel, transport to visit you).

• Never tell anyone your mobile money PIN — Kokonyo staff will never ask for it. Payments are only ever approved on your own phone, and any confirmation code should only be entered in the Kokonyo app or website, never given to another person.

• Ignore offers of investments, crypto trading, jobs or 'business opportunities' from matches. Romance and investment scams often start this way.

• If someone asks you to move to another app straight away, be cautious — scammers do this to avoid our moderation.

• Meet in a busy public place — a café, restaurant or mall in Lusaka rather than a private home or an isolated spot.

• Tell a friend or family member who you're meeting, where and when. Share your live location with them if you can.

• Arrange your own transport there and back so you can leave whenever you want.

• Keep your phone charged and stay in control of your drink. If you feel uncomfortable, leave — you don't owe anyone an explanation.

• Your login code is sent by SMS. Only enter it in the Kokonyo app or website — never give it to another person, even someone claiming to be from Kokonyo. Anyone with the code can take over your account.

• Use photos that don't reveal your address, car number plate or workplace.

• Block anyone who makes you uncomfortable, and report anyone who breaks the rules.

Open the person's profile and tap Report or Block. Our team reviews reports and removes fake accounts, scammers and anyone under 18. If a crime has been committed, also report it to the police in Zambia.

Read our child safety standards and terms of use.